We are so excited about purchasing a new Kubota Skid Steer at MacFarlane Pheasants. Traver Weber, our maintenance manager, explored both used and new skid steers before deciding that a new one would be the best long-term investment. His decision to negotiate for a new skid steer involved meeting with all of the managers, first, to discuss the farm needs. Once the decision was made, Ronnie Viljoen, Brooder Crew Manager, traveled to Johnson Tractor in Janesville, with Traver, to look at skid steers and test drive them to make sure it was the right piece of equipment for our farm. Ronnie's crew will be the ones who use this equipment the most to do the barn clean-outs, so he was the perfect person to perform the test drive.
The new Kubota was only $10,000 more than a used piece of equipment and came with a 4-year warranty. We will keep the Skid Steer we have to use at our newest rental property and will use the brand new piece of equipment at our main Janesville farm. A high-quality skid steer is essential for performing barn clean-outs efficiently and effectively.
We use the Kubota to fulfill the process of cleaning out old bedding in barns when we move out a flock of birds. The Kubota can lift and push a lot of weight and has zero turn capability. Once the Kubota makes quick work of this big job, our crews go in and completely clean and sanitize the barns to prepare our barns for the next run of birds.
Traver had a lot to say about our newest equipment purchase. "We look at the equipment as a new employee. We might have to pay a little more for a new Kubota Skid Steer, but it's worth it in the long run. If we take care of it, it will take care of us!"