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Are multifunctional small loaders transforming UK farming?

Over one hundred years ago, the widespread adoption of the motorised tractor began to transform British (and global) agriculture.

Farms got larger, crops became healthier, yields became bigger and many men (and horses) avoided a life of back-breaking labour!

Since the advent of the tractor, many duties on both arable and livestock farms have been further taken over by dedicated machines and equipment.

But, a century on, are we now seeing another significant change in mechanised agriculture?

The small loader was invented in the 1950’s. However, it wasn’t until the end of the century that innovators like Avant’s Risto Käkelä began to develop them into the multifunctional tool we see today.

They have become commonplace in many areas, including equestrian, landscaping and horticulture – but is the rapid growth in their popularity also now transforming UK farming?

What is a small multifunctional loader?

A small loader is typically a four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle, which is smaller than a conventional tractor. They often feature articulated steering (pivoting between the axles) which makes them highly manoeuvrable.

They are designed for lifting, carrying and loading materials in tight spaces, such as landscaping, construction or agricultural sites. In addition, they can typically carry and operate a wide range of attachments such as buckets, forks and augers for specific tasks. 

Whilst a small loader may not be appropriate to plough a field or carry large loads long distances, they offer the ability to perform many functions on a modern British farm.

A leading example is the Avant E700 range.

What makes multifunctional small loaders so versatile?

The versatility of small loaders is due to two key qualities – size and attachments.

Traditional tractors are intended to pull heavy machinery such as seed drills, crop sprayers and large trailers over expansive fields. They can often be too cumbersome for other roles.

Small loaders offer mechanic power in a more compact package – able to better negotiate the gates, barns, livestock areas and busy yards on modern UK farms. Being lighter, they also cause less damage to the ground!

The development of the Power Take-Off or PTO (a splined shaft at the rear of a tractor which powers implements like mowers, balers and tillers) revolutionised the flexibility of tractors. Likewise, the addition of a front-end loader (arms used to raise attachments such as forks or buckets).

Today, multifunctional small loaders have taken this concept to the next level…

For example, the latest generation of Avant small loaders can operate more than 200 attachments, catering for almost any conceivable need to cut, carry, lift, spread, pull, push or prepare.

Small loaders now offer versatility far exceeding their larger counterparts.

What role are multifunctional small loaders performing on UK farms?

The rapid adoption of small loaders in British agriculture – and the similarly high rate of innovation from manufactures like Avant – has led to many surprising solutions.

Whilst the list of potential applications is even longer than the list of available attachments, there are some common roles for which small loaders are increasingly used:

1. Handling and transporting materials

Multifunctional small loaders are widely used to efficiently move materials, including:

• Loading, transporting and distributing animal feed
• Moving and spreading fertilisers or seeds
• Handling hay bales, straw bales and silage
• Collecting and moving manure for disposal or composting

2. Cleaning and maintaining farm areas

Multifunctional small loaders are frequently used to help maintain farm cleanliness for crops and livestock, such as:

• Removing manure from structures and pens
• Cleaning farmyards and pathways
• Clearing mud and debris from yards and thoroughfares

3. Soil preparation and land management

Multifunctional small loaders can assist with many land preparation tasks, including:

• Levelling soil before planting
• Spreading gravel or manure
• Filling holes or trenches
• Light grading or landscaping

4. Supporting crop production

Multifunctional small loaders are often used to help:

• Load harvested crops into trailers
• Transport produce from fields to storage areas
• Assist during planting and harvesting operations

What are the benefits of multifunctional small loaders for UK farmers?

Multifunctional small loaders offer farms the ability to complete many tasks with greater ease and safety.

Given their compact power and versatility, small loaders can more effectively complete many tasks which were previously performed by either cumbersome equipment or manual labour.

Where once farmers needed to invest in many pieces of dedicated machinery for specific tasks, the many affordable attachments for small loaders are increasing flexibility and decreasing costs. Barns full of large or specialised loaders are being replaced by a single multifunctional vehicle than can perform the same duties and more.

As well as reducing initial capital expenditure, this also delivers a reduction in servicing and maintenance costs, depreciation and storage.

Because multifunctional small loaders can perform many tasks and carry loads quickly and conveniently, they can dramatically reduce manual labour – saving time, reducing costs and avoiding health risks.

Overall, small loaders are helping speed up workflow, improve efficiency, reduce machinery and labour costs and boost profits in modern UK farms.

Like the tractor a century before, some might say that small loaders are slowly but surely transforming British agriculture…

Discover Avant

Engineered in Finland and trusted across the UK, Avant produce the world’s most versatile multifunctional small loaders. With a range of sizes and over 200 attachments, they’re perfect for so many jobs on British farms.

Find out more here.