New Kubota on the block

It’s in the form of A & R Machinery, Donnybrook, which has opened a new store as a Kubota dealer.

And the enthusiastic manager is a young Daniel Trigwell, who is gearing for a bright future in the farm mechanisation industry.

Equipped with trades in heavy duty mechanics and motor bike mechanics, Daniel is the face of the new business, backed by A & R Engineering director Albert Vinci, who has overseen a successful manufacturing and fabricating business in Donnybrook for about 20 years.

The new store fronts South West Highway on the southern side of the town site and boasts a sizeable showroom for new product and spare parts with the service shop around the corner at A & R Engineering.

“The Kubota franchise came at a time when we were thinking of new growth,” Daniel said.

“We jumped at the chance when Kubota approached us.

“We are a full-line Kubota dealer, including Krone hay equipment, as Krone is a subsidiary company of Kubota.

“So we have got plenty of products to offer the wide spectrum of agricultural activities in this area, which includes small broadacre, horticulture, livestock production and viticulture.”

Kubota is an emerging strength in world markets having made a big statement last year by setting up a major facility in the United States with a view to increase power segments in its tractor range and ramp up its stationary and marine engine markets.

Kubota has a focus to grow market share in Australia in the tractor market.

It’s already number one with its Krone hay gear with a turnover quadrupling its nearest competitor.

“What may surprise many farmers is the extent of the Kubota range,” Daniel said.

“It’s not just tractors and engines.

“We’re selling Kubota whipper snippers and ride-on mowers, to tillage and precision seeding implements, spreaders, mulchers and even mouldboards.

“It dovetails completely with what we do at A & R Engineering with our CustomAg brand of planting and harvesting gear, pasture rollers, harrows, hay forks and quad bike trailers.

“Plus we have the capacity to build to order to meet customers’ specific requirements.

“And we have the experienced staff when it comes to servicing and fixing equipment.”

A & R Machinery also holds the Bare & Co franchise which carries an extensive range of accessories along with Melbourne-base BA Pumps and Sprayers, with products ranging from knapsack sprayers to trailed models up to 2200 litres with a 15 metre (50ft) boom.

Another franchise is Barrett, which manufacturers three-point linkage slashers, post-hole augers, rotary hoes, rippers, rakes, buckets, offset discs and scarifiers.

The emerging elephant in the room is precision farming, which holds a special passion for Daniel.

“I love getting involved in precision technology,” he said.

“We’ve already got customers on auto guidance, though some of the fathers of the young guys take a bit of convincing.

“But I’m positive about the future and how we can integrate this new technology into current practices without big dramas.”