A CLAAS SCORPION 746 agricultural telehandler has proven its versatility by becoming one of the most-used machines on an integrated cropping-livestock operation in the NSW Riverina.

Craig and Kate Smith, together with their four children, grow 2800 ha of winter cereals, oilseeds and pulses in addition to running a 2100-ewe wool and first-cross lamb enterprise on their 4000-hectare property, ‘Innesvale’, six km west of Oaklands.

70 Angus Cows and calves were added to their program two years ago.

The Smiths added a CLAAS SCORPION 746 agricultural telehandler to their machinery pool two years ago.

The Smiths and their two full-time staff have since clocked up more than 1200 hours, doing everything from handling square bales to yard work and earthmoving.

Craig says he’s torn in his affections between his wheeled loader and the telehandler.

“I love my loader – it’s my go-to machine,” he says.

“It’s got a five or six tonne advantage over the telehandler in terms of lift, but if you need reach or manoeuvrability, the telehandler is in a league of its own.

“It’s like comparing a hatchback to a prime mover.”

With a maximum reach of 7 metres and a maximum lift of 4.6 tonnes, the SCORPION makes light work of handling the 2200 square bales of cereal, vetch and pasture hay produced each year.

Much of this is used in a supplementary feeding program that has helped boost lambing rates to more than 120% to joined ewes.

Sheep are run on stubble during summer, with feeding commencing in February or March pending condition score and feed on offer.

“We’ve picked up the pace this year by feeding our ewes earlier and longer using less grain,” Kate says.

“We have learnt it takes a lot more grain to increase body condition score from two to three than to maintain a score of three.

“We pregnancy test the ewes and split them into twins and singles, and then condition

score them before lambing and split the groups again.”

Twin-bearing ewes are placed into 100-head groups and fed up to 1.3 kg/day, while single-bearing ewes are fed up to 1 kg/day depending on food on offer in the paddock.

A Grainline 4-tonne feed cart is used to deliver a mix consisting of feed barley, beans or corn three times a week.

Ewes also have ad-lib access to hay, straw and pre-mix minerals.

Ewes generally lamb down in more than 500 ha of remnant vegetation and 700 ha of improved pastures throughout the property.

The Smiths chose the SCORPION on their satisfaction with the service they had received from CLAAS Harvest Centre in Wagga Wagga over the past 15 years.

“We are not colour-blind when it comes to machinery – we buy what’s best for the job and where we see value, service and back-up,” Craig says.

“Everything breaks down and what happens next is the difference”.

“A couple of years ago, I contacted one of their service technicians on a Sunday morning and he not only answered the phone, but he also organised the parts for us and had us going by lunchtime the next day.

“That sort of service sells machines.

“We looked at other brands, got ball-park figures, had a test drive and felt that the SCORPION was specified much better than its competitors.

“It included a lot of things as standard that were options on the other machines, such as a variable transmission, limited slip diff and the tilt cylinder shake function.”

The current series of SCORPION telehandlers was developed by CLAAS in partnership with materials handling specialist, Liebherr.

Each of the five models is purpose-engineered for performance, efficiency, comfort and safety in an agricultural environment.

Standard features include all-wheel and crab-steering modes, automatic parking brake, end position damping, automatic overload protection and precise hydraulic controls.

The 746 model is powered by a four-cylinder Deutz engine that produces a maximum of 136 hp and 500 Nm torque.

Fan speed is automatically adjusted according to engine demand, while an automatic reversing fan system keeps the radiator clean throughout the day.

All SCORPION models can feature two engine management systems that ensure smooth and efficient operation during work and transport.

The first regulates the engine speed based on hydraulic demand, while the second automatically adjusts engine speed according to the desired speed and load.

The driver can select three driving ranges – 0 to 20 km/h, 0 to 30 km/h and 0 to 40 km/h – with the press of a thumb on the joystick.

The hydrostatic ground drive accepts the full engine output at any speed, meaning full torque is available in all situations.

The low attachment point of the boom significantly expands the field of view to the left and right, as well as lowering the centre of gravity.

The cab features a new high-flow air conditioning system, adjustable steering column, automatic indicator reset and steering mode switch.

The 175 mm colour display shows all key settings, such as speed, steering mode and hydraulic oil level, while switches and controls are logically arranged.