18 Nov 2024
For Jeff Clark, maintaining his acre-and-a-half property in rural North Wales has become significantly easier thanks to the Avant 225 compact loader.
Jeff, who has some woodland, and a main field to maintain, has found the perfect solution in this versatile machine.
Jeff has extensive experience with various types of equipment, often testing new machinery for manufacturers. Initially, he sought a ride-on mower but soon realised he needed something more versatile. “I went to Clwyd Agricultural looking for a flail mower to attach to my ride-on, but I saw the Avant and thought it looked interesting,” Jeff says. After some consideration and a test drive, Jeff traded his ride-on mower for the Avant 225, along with various attachments for it.
“I needed a machine that could mow, tow a trailer, and help me move things around the garden,” Jeff explains. “I’m 76, not getting any younger, and not as strong as I used to be. The Avant seemed to be the perfect machine to help me. It’s invaluable and well worth the money we invested. The bucket on the front is large and versatile; you can even mix cement in it, which I’ve found very useful.”
One of the standout features for Jeff is the quick-release coupling for changing attachments. “The changeover of attachments is very quick. A quick flick of a lever and there’s no effort involved,” he says.
The Avant 225’s versatility shines through in various tasks. “I’ve planted apple trees with the mini digger attachment. Rather than spending hours digging a hole, it’s done in five minutes,” Jeff explains. “The 1500 out-front mower attachment does an extremely good job, and the adjustable height of cut is perfect for the different areas we have here.”
Jeff also utilised the Avant 225 for a significant project on his driveway. “The front drive was covered in pebbles, and I didn’t want to lose them when I had it tarmacked. The Avant picked up 8 tonnes of pebbles, which I’ve since used around raised beds and paths. The machine has probably paid for itself already.”
For Jeff, the best feature of the Avant 225 is its versatility. “It does everything I want – it carries weights, pulls the trailer, and carries most things in the bucket up and down the garden. I even use it to pull trees from the woodland area with a rope. It’s a muscle saver and works really well. I don’t think I could do without it.”
“The joystick is easy to use, and the seat warmer is fantastic in the winter,” he adds.
The Avant 225’s impressive capabilities include a 1.4m lift height, 350kg lift capacity, 10 km/h speed, and 42 L/min auxiliary hydraulics. Easy to transport with a car trailer, it’s a powerful and versatile compact loader despite its small size. The articulated design and hydraulic 4x4 transmission are similar to larger Avant models, ensuring efficient operation with excellent visibility and easy-to-use controls.
As well as being impressed with the machine Jeff praised Clwyd Agricultural, the local dealer, for their excellent service and support. “They are lovely people, easy to deal with, and very helpful,” he notes.
Overall, the Avant 225 compact loader has proven to be the ideal workhorse for Jeff Clark, providing the versatility and efficiency needed to maintain his land with ease.