Robert Hamilton’s Lowlander 105 Compact TVA

A brace of Bunning spreaders run by Robert Hamilton Contracting are proving their worth year on year as they return faultless performance and require no support from the dealer.

The Lowlander 105 machines – a 2017 standard body and a 2021 Compact, both with Widebody augers – handle a solid workload for the busy contracting business, which specialises in grass harvesting, alongside lime and basalt spreading.

Although a smaller part of the operation based in Strathaven, Scotland, the Bunning spreaders provide a valuable contracting service for local farmers who don’t own a manure spreader. Spreading usually happens alongside the more intensive works and Robert says the reliability and bullet-proof nature of the machines is why he converted to Bunning from another brand several years ago.

“There are several dairy farms around us that are still bedding on straw so there is regular work in the local area. We provide a vital service to them, and it is one that I want to keep offering. I’ve run Bunning machines since 2010 and I know what I’m getting with every spreader. It is difficult to fault them from the spread pattern to the paint work.

“I wouldn’t consider anything else now. I saw one working at our local dealer, Gordons, when I required a replacement for our old machine and it was enough to convince me. One of the biggest benefits is that we don’t require much support for them, which can’t be said for every machine we run. We maintain them well and, when we have rare issues, they are sorted quickly by Bunning.”

Compact suits requirements

A Compact machine has always been required for Robert and his team to access some of the tight gateways and yards of his customers. He purchased a standard body machine in 2017 and says there are some fields where this spreader is too long.

The Compact body measures 6.5m long, whereas the Lowlander 105 standard body is 7.5m. This is a key factor as some of the small hill farms he contracts like to see a small machine on their fields.

“The customers like the Compact machine. It fits in nicely behind the tractor and doesn’t appear as large as the standard body. It has the same carrying capacity and the output is similar. The guys will use this machine over the standard body, and it is the one we will keep renewing as it handles more work.”

Robert sprays oil on all his machinery, before work, to help grime and dust wash off easily after jobs are finished. It keeps the machines in top condition, although Robert says the paint on the Bunning spreaders is excellent. “We’ve never had an issue with the paintwork on any of the spreaders we’ve owned. It is excellent and means, after five years, we still have a machine that looks in great condition and has strong residuals.”