Good news: The agricultural and construction equipment giant, JCB, is expanding into the growing African market with the support of AFGRI with its well-established network of dealerships and service. ZAMBEEF in Zambia is one of the companies already enjoying the benefits of this relationship.

“As the largest dairy operation in Zambia, we required a versatile, strong and reliable machine for our feeding and silage handling operations. The 560-80 JCB Loadall Telehandler acquired from AFGRI was the ideal machine to match our requirements,” says Steve Hapelt, Kalundu Dairy General Manager, ZAMBEEF PLC Ltd.

Steve was one of the first customers to enjoy the benefits of the recently forged relationship between AFGRI and JCB. With its extended network and proven service reliability in the agricultural community of Africa, AFGRI is the ideal partner to distribute JCB’s range of superb equipment in Zambia.

The Kalundu Dairy farm certainly is a worthy testing ground for equipment and services with its 2 600 strong dairy herd, with more than 900 lacta-ting cows. The farm produces over

7,4 million litres of milk per year, and to maintain this kind of production the cows need the best food at the right time every day.

The farm uses a TMR (total mixed rations) feeding system and therefore needs to handle different materials, from silage to bales of hay.

Steve says they also purchased a bale grabber to load and stack bales, a silage shear grab ideal for tearing silage from the silage pits, and a large general purpose bucket for loading applications, to add to the value of the Loadall Telehandler.

All equipment in the feed production and handling system need to be strong and reliable, because the work never stops, and the feeding process may never be postponed or skipped.

“We are extremely pleased with the performance and capability of this particular machine. We are also fully satisfied with the service we have received from the AFGRI sales team and service department. I would strongly recommend it as a quality general purpose agricultural machine,” says Steve.

The JCB 560-80 Agri Plus Loadall Telehandler was the first of its kind to be sold by an agricultural dealer in Africa, says a proud Victor van den Berg, Product Specialist from AFGRI Corporation Zambia Ltd.

The JCB 560-80 Agri Plus has a JCB 4,8 litre DIESELMAX engine, a JCB power shift transmission, JCB axles, cab and rams. It also comes standard with four wheel steer for working in any environment. The boom has a 6 ton lifting capacity and an impressive lift height of 7,9 m – high enough to grab any bale from the highest stack and into the feed mixer.

It is not only the agricultural sector benefitting from this liaison between JCB and AFGRI. Omicron is a well known Lusaka based construction company in Zambia, specialising in general building contracts, civil works, road and earthworks.

 Charles Mandhla Zulu, Operations Director, Omicron Services (Z) Ltd, says they recently acquired the JCB 2DX Backhoe Loader: “The 2DX is a strong and versatile machine. We use it primarily for its loading applications during our ready-mix concrete production operations, however the backhoe is also a great addition for excavations on our construction projects.”

Victor explains that the 2DX is the perfect machine for those who may not necessarily need a conventional TLB. It is a robust, versatile, multipurpose machine that can be used for a range of applications, such as grading, loading, trenching, excavating and material handling.

 He says: “The machine is extremely well priced and comes with AFGRI’s leading aftermarket services.”

JCB was established 70 years ago as a privately owned manufacturer of construction, agricultural and industrial machines.

 Founded in a lock-up garage by Joseph Cyril Bamford in the market town of Uttoxeter,

England, the company has expanded dramatically under the leadership of Lord Bamford, who took over the role of Chairman from his father in 1975.

 Today JCB has 22 plants worldwide; 11 in the UK and others in India, USA, China and Brazil. JCB’s success is built on innovation and the company offers more than 300 different products for the sectors it serves.

 The company is the world market leader for backhoe loaders and Loadall telescopic handlers. From its dedicated World Parts Centre in the UK and 15 parts centres all over the globe, customers receive the best service back-up in the business.

JCB sells its innovative agricultural range though a dedicated network of dealers, ensuring agricultural customers get world-class support whenever they need it.

JCB’s growing presence in agriculture around the world incorporates expansion in Africa, where AFGRI Corporation Ltd Zambia began selling the JCB range in 2015.

Let AFGRI help you to decide how JCB can make your work load lighter. Phone Victor van den Berg at +260-963-85-3388 or send an e-mail to vdb@afgri.com.zm.