Johan Kooiker (salesman of Ag-Chem Europe B.V.) is speaking to Hans Overdevest from Breezand, Noord Holland, Netherlands on the occasion of the purchase of a 5th Ag-Chem machine.
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In 1980 I started a one-man business selling fertilisers.
As Breezand (a bulb-growing area in Holland) needs lots of fertiliser that is not available nearby, we went to surplus areas all over Holland to supply the nutrients needed.
Supplying sludge to arable farming was also one of our main activities for years.
How did I get my first Ag-Chem machine, the Big A?
It was in 1988 when I started to broaden my outlook in America where I spotted a machine completely unknown to me: the Big A. I immediately saw the advantages this machine had to offer for my company, so I bought one. Then I asked Ag-Chem (Kurstjens at the time) to mount a manure system. This was a vacuum tank system of 8500 l.
In 1990 I traded it in for a Terra Gator ® 1603. When injecting manure had become part of our business, we decided to buy a four-wheeled machine in 1992 because of the perfect weight transfer system and the transfer of power. So a Terra Gator ® 2204 with a positive displacement tank of 10.000 l. was the best option.
At a trade-show in Amsterdam, Ag-Chem was present with a Terra Gator ® 2204 with a tank of 12.500 l. This machine suited me well so I bought it on the spot. This machine was most satisfactory but as we preferred a more modern gearbox, it set me thinking.
In 1995 we have started supplying organic waste again, for the benefit of the bulb-growers.
This business has expanded rapidly. That is why we had to build a big covered storage facility.
When we had the opportunity to make use of the Terra Gator ® 2104 for a couple of days.
Of course we have looked around to find other qualified machines but the very low fuel consumption of the John Deere engine in combination with the favourable mechanic Terra-Shift transmission, was very important to us. Another factor that gave great weight was the customers’ satisfaction. When the salesman of Ag-Chem came by in June making a very interesting offer on my 6-year-old machine (which still was in good condition), the deal was quickly made.
I could sell the machine under the condition that I would trade it in immediately because there was great demand for it. I didn’t mind but I needed the new machine on 1 August.
What is worth mentioning is that Ag-Chem managed to deliver the machine within a short period of time, considering that the Terra Gator ® 2104 had yet to be built.
The excellent service and the trust we have had in Ag-Chem Europe B.V. through the years, convinced me of having made the right decision.
After the arrival of the Terra Gator ® we were able to use it straight away. It was as if the trucks were waiting for it. Our experience until now has been very good. We really appreciate the big 1050/50r32 Michelin tires. Operating the Terra Shift without stepping on the gas and the low RPM (from 16-1700 RPM), makes driving the Terra Gator ® into an enjoyable experience. The powerful traction lies deep within the John Deere engine.
Furthermore I bought a Kongskilde 4027 arable land injector together with the new Terra Gator. The Kongskilde has got a working width of 6.15m. This has been specially developed by Ag-Chem. Surprisingly this combination decreased the fuel consumption to +/- 20 l. per hour. This is even lower than my economical Terra Gator ® 2204 with a Kongskilde of 5.65m.
In the year 2001 we have 10 employees working for us. My wife José is an important factor in our company because she does the bookkeeping and many other administrative activities.
At the moment we have 7 articulated manure trucks and a Terra Gator ® 2104.
Nowadays our work consists of supplying manure and injecting it, if necessary.
We also supply (paper) cellulose to keep the soil from blowing away. This cellulose mainly consists of ground old bank notes. In this way billions are spread over the land. You can only recognise them by the colour.
But you have to excuse me now my customers are waiting!
Hans Overdevest, Overdevest J.C., Breezand.
