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Modern maintenance at the historical Widooie Castle Estate
In the rolling landscape of Tongeren, Belgium, lies the Widooie Castle Estate, a historical gem with it roots dating back to the 9th century. The manager of this expansive estate respects functional, efficient, innovative and reliable machinery. His loyal allies? Three Avant loaders assisting him daily in the maintenance and management of the land.
Widooie is truly an estate that combines historical heritage and a vision for the future. Castle owner, knight, and manager of the estate Norbert de Schaetzen van Brienen inherited his love for land and nature management from his grandfather. Over the years, he transformed the estate from an open grassland into an ecological park with carefully planted trees, paths, and hedges.
This park not only plays a role in preserving biodiversity but also serves as a strategic buffer against potential encroachments into the natural areas. An immense maintenance project like this requires thoughtful mechanization, and that is where Avant technology comes into play. Norbert uses the articulated loaders for a variety of tasks: from mowing and hedge trimming to moving trees and lifting heavy loads.
Norbert is no stranger to the world of agricultural and maintenance machinery. As a former importer of John Deere and developer of agricultural machines, he has a keen eye for functionality and reliability. In his search for an efficient, multifunctional machine for the estate, he quickly turned to Avant.
Intensive work requires top machinery
Each day for Norbert starts with a look at the estate: what maintenance tasks are on the agenda? The machines are indispensable in his daily routine.
“The machines run here every day, from morning till night,” says Norbert. “It’s the combination of Avant with other machines – like our crane and Unimog – that allows us to maintain the estate properly.”
Norbert wants his machines to be not only functional but also efficient and sustainable. Thanks to the hydrostatic drive of Avant, he can precisely adjust the speed and power to the task without unnecessary fuel consumption. This makes the machines not only fuel-efficient but also suitable for long-term and intensive use. Additionally, maintenance plays a significant role.
“Every three years, we get a new Avant, mostly due to depreciation, but also because technology is advancing,” Norbert explains. “The latest models are always just a bit better and more efficient than their predecessors.”
A man with a mission
Norbert de Schaetzen van Brienen is a visionary thinker. Besides maintaining the estate, he considers the future of land management and mechanization. In the past, he even developed machines himself and still works on new ideas.
His involvement with Avant is no coincidence: he deliberately chose a machine that combines innovation and reliability. His experience in agricultural mechanization confirmed that choice, and to this day, he is convinced that Avant is the best solution for his estate.
“My body no longer allows me to do heavy work, But thanks to these machines, I can still manage the estate the way I want. That keeps me young.”
An Avant for Every Task
Over the years, the Avant fleet at the estate has grown. Norbert de Schaetzen van Brienen now works with three models: the 635, the 760i, and his newest addition, the 855i.
- Avant 635: the faithful workhorse for daily tasks for many years, such as mowing the expansive grounds. With various attachment mowers, this machine ensures the lawns are always perfectly maintained.
- Avant 760i: purchased when the 635i reached its limits. The larger machine provided more stability and power, which proved especially useful when trimming the impressive kilometers-long hawthorn hedges around the estate.
- Avant 855i: the newest addition and is used for heavier tasks, such as moving large trees. “Previously, we needed a truck to move trees 15 to 16 meters tall. Thanks to the larger wheels and greater lifting capacity, we can now do that with the 855i. It saves both time and money.”
3 Core Benefits of Avant on Widooie Estate
Full Hydraulic Drive – Unlike many competitors still using axles and mechanical transmissions, Avants have four separate hydraulic motors. This ensures optimal traction also on uneven terrain.
Fixed Articulated Steering – The articulation on Avant is fixed, which means the loader remains more stable when turning and loading. Other machines with floating articulation can tip more easily when unevenly loaded, while Avant adapts to the terrain.
Compact and Versatile – With a wide range of attachments, a single Avant loader can perform various tasks from mowing and trimming to earthmoving and transporting heavy materials. This makes it the ideal all-rounder on an estate with a complex structure like Widooie.
