Based just outside Thurles in Co Tipperary, Joe Egan runs a hogget finishing system and a tillage operation alongside his father, John. They finish 1,400 hoggets and sow 150 acres of crops each year so they need a versatile telehandler on the farm.
German built Kramer is just the right fit for mixed Tipp farm.
They acquired their first telehandler in 1998, a builder’s JCB. This was changed in 2001 for another JCB, a more compact and versatile farmer’s machine. 
Since taking delivery in May, Joe has clocked up 340 hours on the machine.
In 2005, they tried out a demo John Deere 3415, before deciding to purchase it. The Egans continued to run this 3415 up until earlier this year. The transmission was beginning to give a lot of trouble and they needed a more reliable machine.
Joe considered moving to a pivot steer machine. However, after demoing one, he felt pivot-steer machines weren’t as stable while lifting weight at the same heights. He also found that the pivot steer was a little higher off the ground with more steps, which he felt was more difficult to climb in and out of. As a result, his preference was a side boom machine and he needed a 7m lift capacity.
Joe said two brands stood out for him in the side-boom market – JCB and Kramer. After pricing both, he noted that there was nothing between the two. In the end, he opted for a Kramer KT 407. His decision was based on proximity to backup as his local dealer sold Kramer. Earlier this week, we caught up with Joe to find out how the KT 407 has performed to date. 
The KT 407 is powered by a 136hp, 3.6l Deutz L4 engine.
Who is Kramer?
Although Kramer may seem like a new brand to the Irish market, the firm has been manufacturing telehandlers that have been working in Ireland for many years now under different branding.
Up until a number of years ago, Kramer were responsible for building the Claas Scorpion range. Kramer, an affiliate company of Wacker Neuson, manufacture compact wheel loaders, telescopic wheel loaders and telehandlers. Since the split with Claas, Kramer struck a deal with John Deere to sell through its dealer network. Meanwhile, Claas teamed up with Liebherr to build the latest range of Scorpion handlers. 
This machine has three steering options (two-wheel steer, four-wheel steer or crab steer).
KT 407 capacities
Joe wanted a relatively compact, versatile machine. After demoing the KT 357, he wanted a machine that was a little heavier, but with similar capacities. As a result, he opted for the recently launched KT 407. Although both models have similar capabilities, the 407 is slightly heavier and has a larger payload capability. The 407 has a 4t lift capacity up to a height of 7m. It is 2.3m wide and 2.31m high.
Earlier this summer, the KT 407 was used to operate a loader mounted Tanco Autowrap 1300 wrapper, wrapping 1,200 bales.
Engine and transmission
The KT 407 is powered by a 136hp, 3.6l Deutz L4 engine. Joe said this four-cylinder engine has plenty of power. The telehandler is rated to carry 16t. As a result, he decided to try this out, pulling his tri-axle bale trailer with 39 bales of straw on board. He said the engine was well capable of pulling the large load, up and down hills. The one issue he had is that at 100 litres, the diesel tank is quite small. Joe said when he’s busy, the handler will burn the full tank in a day. He noted that it’s quite good on AdBlue, typically burning one tank (9.5l) to four tanks of diesel. 
The 407 has a 4t lift capacity up to a height of 7m.
The handler is fitted with an electronically controlled hydrostatic transmission. As standard, it comes with a max speed of 30km/h. However, Joe’s machine is equipped with the ecospeed wide-angle hydrostatic transmission. This allows the handler to reach a top speed of 40km/h. It can accelerate from a standstill to 40km/h without shifting.
The transmission has three speed levels (snail: 0-7km/h, turtle: 0-15km/h or hare 0-40km/h). To shift between ranges, it’s a matter of pressing one of two buttons on the joystick. The range selected is then displayed on the 7in display. Joe said he really likes the transmission and generally works in the second range while knocking about the yard.
Cab
Joe really likes the control layout in the cab. One feature he picked out is the joystick, which has all important machine functions. This includes forward and reverse shuttle. On his previous handler this was a standalone handle beside the steering wheel. The only fault he could pick out with the cab is that the control terminal is quite small at 7in. He likes the safety aspects of the machine. These include a limited forward speed when the pickup hitch isn’t locked and the fact the machine can’t be started without the handbrake engaged.
He noted that the 360° lighting package is good, but it could do with some additional lights at the front.
The only fault he could pick out with the cab is that the control terminal is quite small at 7”.
In the field
He said the pickup hitch is a serious advantage in comparison to his old John Deere telehandler. With this comes a reversing camera and an optional double-acting hydraulic circuit. He said the handler is very handy for moving or tipping trailers even around the yard.
Joe explained that often during the silage season and harvest he found himself needing to bring in bales, but the other tractors on the farm may have been tied up or labour could be an issue. Instead of wasting time getting a tractor, he would hook up the bale trailer to the back of the KT 407 and draw the bales back to the yard. This allowed him to cut out the need for a man and a second tractor. 
With the pick-up hitch comes a reversing camera and an optional double acting hydraulic circuit.
In the yard
Joe drew most of the 1,200 bales of haylage he made back to the yard using the handler with a trailer attached behind. In addition to hauling the bales, the 407 was used to operate a loader-mounted Tanco Autowrap 1300 wrapper, before stacking the bales. He said the handler has seriously fast hydraulics, with a flow rate of 140l/min. Joe had to regulate the output to 30% while operating the wrapper.
This year for the first time, Joe made a small pit of maize for himself. He used the 407 to push up the maize and said he was pleasantly surprised with its performance, especially with how stable the handler was.
When drying grain, the 407 is used to handle around 400t. This machine has three steering options (two-wheel steer, four-wheel steer or crab steer). Joe said the crab steer feature is new to him and he likes it for getting the handler into tighter areas in the grain store. The one issue he had with the machine in the grain store is that the mirrors stick out quite a bit. If you attempt to drive too close to the wall you will clip them unless you’re watching your surroundings.
Joe’s machine is fitted with a Matbro-type pin and cone headstock. One feature he really likes, which his previous handlers didn’t have, is the third function pressure release button. This allows him release the pressure on the auxiliary function at the headstock by pressing the button. 
The third function pressure release button allows Joe to release the pressure on the auxiliary function at the machines headstock
Since taking delivery in May, Joe has clocked up 340 hours on the machine. He has been very impressed with its capabilities. He said the engine has loads of power. It has a super-fast hydraulic system, and the hydrostatic transmission is very reactive. With the exception of a boom sensor that needed to be adjusted, the machine has performed trouble-free. Joe could only pick out some minor things he would like changed such as the positioning of the mirrors, the inclusion of a toolbox and a larger fuel tank. Overall, he noted that the Kramer is a serious step up from his previous John Deere machine and it’s one of the best machines he’s ever driven.
The specs
Engine: 3.6l Deutz L4 (four cylinder)
Horsepower: 136hp 100 (kW)
Transmission: Hydrostatic with three ranges
Travel speed: 40km/h optional
Hydraulics: 140l/min flow rate
Weight: 7,600kg max
Telescopic reach: 7m
Lift capacity: 4t
Tyres: 460-70 R24
Fuel tank capacity: 100l
AdBlue tank capacity: 9.5l
List price: €119,290 plus VAT
Based just outside Thurles in Co Tipperary, Joe Egan runs a hogget finishing system and a tillage operation alongside his father, John. They finish 1,400 hoggets and sow 150 acres of crops each year so they need a versatile telehandler on the farm.
German built Kramer is just the right fit for mixed Tipp farm.
They acquired their first telehandler in 1998, a builder’s JCB. This was changed in 2001 for another JCB, a more compact and versatile farmer’s machine.
Since taking delivery in May, Joe has clocked up 340 hours on the machine.
In 2005, they tried out a demo John Deere 3415, before deciding to purchase it. The Egans continued to run this 3415 up until earlier this year. The transmission was beginning to give a lot of trouble and they needed a more reliable machine.
Joe considered moving to a pivot steer machine. However, after demoing one, he felt pivot-steer machines weren’t as stable while lifting weight at the same heights. He also found that the pivot steer was a little higher off the ground with more steps, which he felt was more difficult to climb in and out of. As a result, his preference was a side boom machine and he needed a 7m lift capacity.
Joe said two brands stood out for him in the side-boom market – JCB and Kramer. After pricing both, he noted that there was nothing between the two. In the end, he opted for a Kramer KT 407. His decision was based on proximity to backup as his local dealer sold Kramer. Earlier this week, we caught up with Joe to find out how the KT 407 has performed to date.
The KT 407 is powered by a 136hp, 3.6l Deutz L4 engine.
Who is Kramer?
Although Kramer may seem like a new brand to the Irish market, the firm has been manufacturing telehandlers that have been working in Ireland for many years now under different branding.
Up until a number of years ago, Kramer were responsible for building the Claas Scorpion range. Kramer, an affiliate company of Wacker Neuson, manufacture compact wheel loaders, telescopic wheel loaders and telehandlers. Since the split with Claas, Kramer struck a deal with John Deere to sell through its dealer network. Meanwhile, Claas teamed up with Liebherr to build the latest range of Scorpion handlers.
This machine has three steering options (two-wheel steer, four-wheel steer or crab steer).
KT 407 capacities
Joe wanted a relatively compact, versatile machine. After demoing the KT 357, he wanted a machine that was a little heavier, but with similar capacities. As a result, he opted for the recently launched KT 407. Although both models have similar capabilities, the 407 is slightly heavier and has a larger payload capability. The 407 has a 4t lift capacity up to a height of 7m. It is 2.3m wide and 2.31m high.
Earlier this summer, the KT 407 was used to operate a loader mounted Tanco Autowrap 1300 wrapper, wrapping 1,200 bales.
Engine and transmission
The KT 407 is powered by a 136hp, 3.6l Deutz L4 engine. Joe said this four-cylinder engine has plenty of power. The telehandler is rated to carry 16t. As a result, he decided to try this out, pulling his tri-axle bale trailer with 39 bales of straw on board. He said the engine was well capable of pulling the large load, up and down hills. The one issue he had is that at 100 litres, the diesel tank is quite small. Joe said when he’s busy, the handler will burn the full tank in a day. He noted that it’s quite good on AdBlue, typically burning one tank (9.5l) to four tanks of diesel.
The 407 has a 4t lift capacity up to a height of 7m.
The handler is fitted with an electronically controlled hydrostatic transmission. As standard, it comes with a max speed of 30km/h. However, Joe’s machine is equipped with the ecospeed wide-angle hydrostatic transmission. This allows the handler to reach a top speed of 40km/h. It can accelerate from a standstill to 40km/h without shifting.
The transmission has three speed levels (snail: 0-7km/h, turtle: 0-15km/h or hare 0-40km/h). To shift between ranges, it’s a matter of pressing one of two buttons on the joystick. The range selected is then displayed on the 7in display. Joe said he really likes the transmission and generally works in the second range while knocking about the yard.
Cab
Joe really likes the control layout in the cab. One feature he picked out is the joystick, which has all important machine functions. This includes forward and reverse shuttle. On his previous handler this was a standalone handle beside the steering wheel. The only fault he could pick out with the cab is that the control terminal is quite small at 7in. He likes the safety aspects of the machine. These include a limited forward speed when the pickup hitch isn’t locked and the fact the machine can’t be started without the handbrake engaged.
He noted that the 360° lighting package is good, but it could do with some additional lights at the front.
The only fault he could pick out with the cab is that the control terminal is quite small at 7”.
In the field
He said the pickup hitch is a serious advantage in comparison to his old John Deere telehandler. With this comes a reversing camera and an optional double-acting hydraulic circuit. He said the handler is very handy for moving or tipping trailers even around the yard.
Joe explained that often during the silage season and harvest he found himself needing to bring in bales, but the other tractors on the farm may have been tied up or labour could be an issue. Instead of wasting time getting a tractor, he would hook up the bale trailer to the back of the KT 407 and draw the bales back to the yard. This allowed him to cut out the need for a man and a second tractor.
With the pick-up hitch comes a reversing camera and an optional double acting hydraulic circuit.
In the yard
Joe drew most of the 1,200 bales of haylage he made back to the yard using the handler with a trailer attached behind. In addition to hauling the bales, the 407 was used to operate a loader-mounted Tanco Autowrap 1300 wrapper, before stacking the bales. He said the handler has seriously fast hydraulics, with a flow rate of 140l/min. Joe had to regulate the output to 30% while operating the wrapper.
This year for the first time, Joe made a small pit of maize for himself. He used the 407 to push up the maize and said he was pleasantly surprised with its performance, especially with how stable the handler was.
When drying grain, the 407 is used to handle around 400t. This machine has three steering options (two-wheel steer, four-wheel steer or crab steer). Joe said the crab steer feature is new to him and he likes it for getting the handler into tighter areas in the grain store. The one issue he had with the machine in the grain store is that the mirrors stick out quite a bit. If you attempt to drive too close to the wall you will clip them unless you’re watching your surroundings.
Joe’s machine is fitted with a Matbro-type pin and cone headstock. One feature he really likes, which his previous handlers didn’t have, is the third function pressure release button. This allows him release the pressure on the auxiliary function at the headstock by pressing the button.
The third function pressure release button allows Joe to release the pressure on the auxiliary function at the machines headstock
Since taking delivery in May, Joe has clocked up 340 hours on the machine. He has been very impressed with its capabilities. He said the engine has loads of power. It has a super-fast hydraulic system, and the hydrostatic transmission is very reactive. With the exception of a boom sensor that needed to be adjusted, the machine has performed trouble-free. Joe could only pick out some minor things he would like changed such as the positioning of the mirrors, the inclusion of a toolbox and a larger fuel tank. Overall, he noted that the Kramer is a serious step up from his previous John Deere machine and it’s one of the best machines he’s ever driven.
The specs
Engine: 3.6l Deutz L4 (four cylinder)
Horsepower: 136hp 100 (kW)
Transmission: Hydrostatic with three ranges
Travel speed: 40km/h optional
Hydraulics: 140l/min flow rate
Weight: 7,600kg max
Telescopic reach: 7m
Lift capacity: 4t
Tyres: 460-70 R24
Fuel tank capacity: 100l
AdBlue tank capacity: 9.5l
List price: €119,290 plus VAT
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