Bobcat and Massey Ferguson Launch Rivals to JCB Telehandler

Agricultural giant Massey Ferguson and American compact machine manufacturer Bobcat have both released new telehandlers, seen as a bid to tackle the rising popularity of the jcb telehandler in the US.

JCB have long dominated the telehandler market with a vast variety of telehandlers for different applications, and the new vehicles from Massey and Bobcat are a clear effort to beat JCB on the American market, where both brands are strong and established.

Massey Ferguson's new MF 9000 series consists of three new models ranging from 100hp to 130hp - the MF 9306, 9407, and 9407S. The 9306 has 3t lift and 6m reach whereas the 9407 has 3.5t lift and 7m reach. The 9407S has the same lift as the 9407, but a larger engine for more demanding tasks like handling straw.

Each is fitted with a Perkins four-cylinder engine, and gets a two range 40kph hydrostatic transmission. The new boom configuration has a low rear pivot point for better visibility and hydraulics are supplied by a 190litres/min closed centre load sensing pump.

JCB have recently developed and built telehandlers with agricultural applications in mind, and Massey Ferguson appear to be retaliating with their own machines, hoping to appeal to farmer's strong brand loyalty to MF products. The latest jcb telehandler, the 515-40, was promoted as the smallest ever made and its outdoors-indoors cross functionality is marketed to appeal to agricultural operators.

Bobcat will be showing its new TR50210 rotary telehandler for the first time at the Samoter expo in Verona, Italy in March.

The TR50210 is one of four new rotating telehandlers from Bobcat, complementing the company's existing range of 12 rigid frame telehandlers. The new 360° and 400° rotating models offer lifting capacities from 3,5 to 5,0 tonnes and lifting heights from 15,7 to 24,5 m.

JCB have already secured two separate £14 million deals since the start of the year, and show no signs of slowing down. Several industry expos are scheduled for this year, and will surely indicate the manufacturers most likely to capitalise on the gradual recovery of the construction industry.

Massey Tractors Release Doubled Q4 Profits

Agco, the owner and manufacturer of massey tractors, reported that it doubled its fourth quarter profits in 2010, but the firm does not have the same hopes for 2011. Agco, based in Duluth, owns the Challenger and massey ferguson tractors brands, and said the increased profits were down to bountiful harvests and high commodity prices.

Agco reported an overall fourth-quarter profit of $85.2 million, or 87 cents a share, up from $33.5 million, or 35 cents a share, a year earlier. Net sales for the last quarter rose 18.7 percent, versus the fourth quarter of 2009, to $2.2 billion. Sales for all of 2010 rose nearly 6 percent to almost $7 billion.

Market conditions, including unusually good harvests and high commodity prices filled the pockets of U.S. and foreign farmers, which was money then spent at the local tractor or combine dealer, to Agco's benefit.

Agco’s North American sales, for example, rose 47.3 percent the last quarter versus a year earlier. The world’s third-largest farm machinery maker, behind Deere and CNH Global, reported sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa rose 29 percent during the same time frame. South American sales were tepid, particularly in Brazil and Argentina.

Good harvests and prices in Brazil and Western Europe are expected to boost revenue slightly. Agco predicts sales of massey tractors across the North American market will flatten in 2011.

"We do expect most of the earnings improvement in the first half of the year and then level out to some extent," chief financial officer Andy Beck said during a conference call Tuesday. "The thing that could be a question is the additional expenses and engineering expenses we expect in the second half" of the year.

The company predicts this year’s earnings will be $2.50 to $2.75 per share on $7.6 billion to $7.9 billion in sales.

AGCO Upgrade Support Network for their Massey Ferguson Tractors for Sale

AGCO Corporation, the brand owner of massey ferguson tractors for sale, has expanded to an enterprise license for SOURCE, the latest range of support software from support provider 4CS. The purchase means owners of massey tractors now have access to an intergrated global network of support, enabling problems to be solved faster and more efficiently.

AGCO Corporation is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of agricultural equipment, through a global distribution network of more than 3200 independent dealer/distributor locations in over 140 countries. AGCO's products, aside from Massey Ferguson, include Valtra, Challenger and Fendt.

The parent company of massey tractors have achieved their major market share positions in the world's key agricultural markets by their strong focus on customer service, leading edge technology and an independent dealer network.

AGCO's innovative products continuously receive recognition and awards at international exhibitions, but they say their most coveted award is the recognition of their wide-range of products by farmers and dealers across the globe. Now customers who have bought massey ferguson tractors for sale will be better supported than ever.

The 4CS Customer Lifecycle Management applications provide collaborative service solutions that enable businesses to meet changing needs throughout the customer's life, concentrating on the post-sale or aftermarket stages.

4CS iSupport software helps increase retention of customers by providing "a single point of access to all relevant information and applications in a personalized environment." iSupport is made up of four modules consisting of a Contact Center, Service Dispatch, Service Knowledge Base, Support Center, and Reporting & Analysis.

Adrian Powell, Director Global Technical Projects for AGCO, said, "Resolving issues quicker results in reduced costs for dealers, reduced downtime for customers, and an overall improved satisfaction level with all concerned. Improved communication improves efficiencies and customer satisfaction, which is instrumental for sales growth. Overall profitability is positively impacted through the reduction of warranty costs and improved sales."