The contracting company with 28 employees focuses 75% on earthmoving and contracting and 25% on the agricultural sector. The main focus is on livestock farming. Besides fodder harvesting, grassland renewal, maize sowing, ditch maintenance, kilning and manure spreading are important activities. "I choose the best equipment. We cannot afford downtime during busy periods," says De Vries.

Fuel economy 5 litres per hour

The choice of Valtra 174E tractors is based primarily on the favourable characteristics of the engine. The engine already deliver its maximum power at 1,700 rpm. This means that it already have favourable fuel consumption figures on its own. De Vries combines this with Zuidberg's ECO front PTO. Thanks to the modified ECO PTO gearbox, the machine can run at the desired speed while the tractor can still maintain a slightly lower rpm. "In this way we achieve a saving of 5 litres of fuel per hour," says De Vries. Despite the low engine speed, the tractor has more than enough power to mow at 18 km per hour. The tractor could do with going even faster, but that would be at the expense of mowing quality.

Much lower noise level

Lower rpm not only saves fuel, it also greatly reduces engine noise. That is an important argument for De Vries. On the one hand, because he works a lot in natural areas, and on the other because it is much more pleasant for the drivers. "It is much quieter in the cabin and the lads notice that immediately. They keep going much longer.

Maximising the advantage

De Vries tries to maximise the benefits of the ECO pto by carrying out as many combined operations as possible. In addition to the mower combination, he also mentions the rotary tiller combination. "Of course we also use the front linkage for the sweeper, front weights and the reel for the drag hoses. But then the advantage of the ECO pto is less visible."