Dairy farm’s Dieci Mini is “indispensable”

Sam Bailey, an award-winning dairy farmer, says his second Dieci Mini Ag is the central machine on his farm.

Sam has continuously expanded his farming operations in Staffordshire over the past five years. He now manages a larger-scale operation, milking 350 high-yielding Holstein cows on one site, overseeing the dry cows on another, and running a robust contracting arm of the business from a third location. With such an extensive and busy setup, having reliable machinery is crucial for Sam.

Right-hand machine

The Dieci Mini Ag 26.6 has proven to be an invaluable asset across all his sites, acting as his right-hand machine. “Its compact size and agility allow me to navigate around the yard easily and safely,” Sam explains. “It’s brilliant for all the sites, each of which has tight spaces, and the Dieci handles everything we need.”

The Agri Mini’s exceptional manoeuvrability in confined areas, combined with its powerful control, excellent handling, and precision in movement across its three steering modes – front, concentric, and transverse – ensures smooth operation even with heavy loads.

Boasting a lift capacity of 2,600kg, a lifting height of 5.73m, and a horizontal extension of 3.2m, the Mini Ag is a powerhouse. “I believe it can handle even more,” Sam adds. “With its hydrostatic transmission, it operates effortlessly and remains surprisingly stable, even at full reach.”

This high-performing transmission ensures the optimal speed-to-power ratio for any condition. The combination of the electronic throttle and inching pedal allows for slow and controlled driving while maintaining maximum boom speed. Additionally, each Mini Ag is equipped with a stability control device that continuously monitors the vehicle’s stability in real time, preventing any unsafe movements when safety limits are approached.

Standing out from the crowd

The Dieci Mini Ag 26.6 is designed to meet the demanding needs of modern agriculture, Dieci says. Its compact dimensions allow it to access tight spaces and navigate easily around obstacles, making it ideal for farms with restricted access areas. The machine’s robust construction ensures durability and longevity, capable of withstanding the rigorous daily tasks on the farm.

The cab is designed for operator comfort, with an ergonomic layout that reduces fatigue and increases productivity. The all-in-one joystick provides intuitive control, allowing operators to perform multiple functions seamlessly.

“We operate a couple of tractors and two telehandlers, but the Dieci stands out,” Sam continues. “Its handling is superb, and the all-in-one joystick provides full and safe control of the vehicle, enabling quick shifts between forward and reverse.” He further praises the Mini Ag’s steering and overall control, describing it as light, responsive, easy, and safe.

“The Dieci’s low profile makes it accessible and comfortable for everyone to use – even my Grandad can just step in,” Sam jokes. “And being such a high-performing machine, anyone can get all the jobs done around the farms.”

Sam’s previous Dieci clocked 6,000 hours and was the sole handler on his farm when he had 270 dairy cows. “This Mini Ag is just over a year old, and we’ve already logged over 2,500 hours. It’s regularly serviced and heavily used, but it has never let us down. Out of the two handlers we have, I know which one I’d choose. The Mini Ag is so comfortable that you can spend all day in it. The controls are easy to use, and the cab is well laid out.”

Indispensable

Dieci’s R&D team has invested considerable effort in optimising the cab’s ergonomics, making the controls intuitive, simple, and comfortable, thereby easing the operator’s workload.

Loaded with advanced technology, the Dieci Mini Ag features an on-board computer that displays all operational information in real-time, clearly and uncluttered. This technology ensures that operators have all the information they need at their fingertips, enhancing efficiency and safety.

Supported by the Dieci network, dealership support remains a top priority. Sam confirms: “The support we get from the dealership is excellent. They stay on top of all maintenance and servicing requirements.”

Sam concluded: “Even though we’ve added a bigger machine to our fleet to assist, we simply couldn’t function efficiently without the Dieci Mini Ag. It’s indispensable to our operations.”

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