A JCB compact wheeled loading shovel is proving a willing workhorse on a Lancashire family farm.
In the Blackburn countryside lies the 80-acre Haggshall Farm which is home to the Wilkinson family. They run a 13,500 free range egg unit, a calf rearing unit supplying cattle to Sainsbury’s and manage a flock of sheep.
As a young farming family, the Wilkinsons rely on machinery which is durable, effective and can handle the broad range of tasks and tough and unforgiving environment farm life can entail. Which is why they put their trust in a brand that has been proven to deliver for the agricultural industry for 80 years. That brand is JCB.
Build for the task in hand
When operating in tight spaces such as yard duties, a compact machine which is able to be manoeuvred quickly and easily is a must. Similarly, when faced with a plethora of different jobs on a daily basis, a machine with a choice of loader arms, which can utilise multiple attachments really earns its corn.
For this reason, the Wilkinsons chose to purchase the JCB 403 Agri Plus – purpose-built for the agricultural industry which boasts a number of key features which make it perfectly suited to the work the family does on a daily basis.
As Billy Wilkinson said: “We have always had a pivot steer machine, we wouldn't purchase any different. When we saw the JCB 403 Agri Plus we thought it was the ideal machine for us and we were right. I’m so glad we bought it. We wouldn’t be without it. It’s so versatile in the various small jobs we use it for.
“From mucking out the free-range unit when the birds go out, to loading pallets of eggs, to using the muck grab for mucking out the calf rearing unit, to just using it for simple tasks like putting bales in with cattle. We also bought a brush with it so it’s great for cleaning the yard. It’s our main machine now - the kids love it too."
The engine, axles and hydrostatic transmission work in perfect harmony on the JCB 403 Agri Plus. A solid cast rear counterweight helps prevent impact damage, patented parallel lifting arms distribute forces evenly into the front chassis and a heavy-duty centre joint withstands high stress levels for maximum longevity. The operator is also able to manoeuvre quickly and easily with directional shuttle changes and switch between high and low travel speeds on the move.
A team effort
Despite being a firm favourite, the JCB 403 Agri Plus is not the only JCB the Wilkinson family own and put to use on their busy family farm. Also in the fleet are a JCB TM300 telescopic wheeled loader and a JS130 tracked excavator.
Both machines have their place in the day to day running of the farm, alongside the 403 Agri Plus, as Billy Wilkinson explains: “We use the JCB TM300 a lot – it is so versatile and robust. It does all of our bigger jobs from slurry stirring to Spread-a-Bale. The JS130 tracked excavator is the ideal machine for all of our digger work. We wouldn’t be without any of them. All together they make up the perfect little team for our farm.”
Like the hardworking family who call this farm home, this JCB fleet is certainly being put through its paces and thanks to the robust design and superior build quality that is synonymous with JCB, it is standing up to the challenges faced.
Family business
The relationship between JCB and PB Wilkinson highlights the benefits of businesses who put hard work and family at the heart of what they do. And with JCB’s 403 Agri Plus grafting away, there will be loads more success to come.