New McCormick tractor makes feeding time at Chester Zoo even more enjoyable
Tue 31/05/2016
At 7am, the start of a new day’s work for Neil Lewis is much like any on a livestock farm – the first priority is to get food to the animals. Except that for Neil and his colleagues in the animal supplies department at Chester Zoo, there are tigers, elephants, giraffes, chimps and hippos among the ‘stock’, rather than cows, pigs or sheep.The feed distribution routine is more efficient and more comfortable for Neil Lewis, Chris Barnes, Les Nicholson and David Gifford now that Chester Zoo has taken delivery of a smart new tractor. The 105hp McCormick X5.40 was chosen by animal supplies manager Anthony Hutchinson after consulting dealer Barlows Agri, based at Marton near Macclesfield.
“I happened to read a group tractor test in a farming magazine that concluded the McCormick X5 came out very well in a number of respects,” he explains. “I contacted Paul Williams at Barlows and was impressed with his knowledge of the products, his understanding of our requirements and the suitability of the tractor for our needs.”
Unlike the elderly tractor it replaced, the new McCormick is more manoeuvrable, making it easier to negotiate the confines of the zoo grounds before the public enter at 9.30am every day, and it’s also a lot more comfortable. The spacious driver’s cab has an air suspension seat, a heater for cold mornings and air conditioning for hot days, light power steering and easy to use controls.
“It’s a real pleasure to drive,” says Neil Lewis. “I enjoy driving around the zoo every morning, seeing the animals as I deliver their food. The new tractor just makes it even more of a pleasure.”
For the full story, read the press release using the link on the right.
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