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Schaeffer is a family-run German material handler specialist. Currently it does not sell too many of the 3,500-odd loaders it produces each year into the Irish market. However, the company believes the new 8620T which we tested will be the one to make a difference in this market. The machine is produced in Erwitte, Germany, where Schaeffer employs around 300 people in its state-of-the-art production facility.
At first glance, the Schaeffer 8620T looks to be made of very sturdy stuff and on closer inspection it can be seen that the engineering that has gone into this machine is of serious quality. The weight of the steel and the quality of the welding on every section of the machine is top notch.
The machine on test came with the 90kw (122hp) Deutz Fahr 3.6 litre engine. The power unit comes with its own display mounted on a pillar in the cab, giving the engine’s information separate from the main dash, where the speed in RPM is the only engine parameter available. This setup means that there are no issues with crossover between the two electrical systems.
In the driving seat
The machine was supplied with the Comfort kit. This includes air conditioning, a high-spec radio and air seat, making the cab very comfortable. Once the engine is fired up, the electro-hydraulic handbrake can be released. Forward and reverse are selected with a rocker switch on the loader joystick.
In both directions there are two gears available, with the electro-automotive drivetrain (a hydrostatic system by another name). This system also has an eco-setting which means on the road you can access the top speed at reduced engine revs which both improves fuel economy and makes for a quieter journey.
Down and dirty
For the main part of the test, the Schaeffer’s pin-and-cone headstock (Matbro) was attached to a 7 ft fork and sent into a shed in need of a good cleanout out after the long winter.
The quick-attach and hydraulic locking systems were easily used and visibility was good for a centre-boom machine. There was a good 18in of dung in the shed and the 8620T proved to be a capable pusher and lifter, with no issue lifting a packed fork and carrying it to the trailer.
Whether talking about engine power to the wheels or hydraulic power to the boom, the loader has more than enough power to work with attachments of this size and bigger. Once we got the hang of the oil-driven transmission and knew not to over-pressurise the hydraulic system by both lifting and pushing at the limits of their capability, the Schaeffer was a good tool for this work.
With its low-profile cab and good manoeuvrability, the Schaeffer was a worthy adversary to a typical Irish dung-filled shed.
Wrap it up
For the other part of the test, a bale handler was fitted and some 60 bales of freshly baled and wrapped silage were stacked ready for next winter. At this task, the 8620T handled the bales with great ease as you would expect. One trick that was used when handling small-ish weight was to always have the gearbox in ECO mode and it smooths out the progress with or without a bale on board.
The Schaeffer also came with load-sensing hydraulics, which means that wherever needs oil the most gets it before it becomes a problem.
The new arrival from Schaeffer is a seriously talented machine, which has been engineered beautifully with perfect welds on all joints and lots of steel where it is needed. With a lift capacity of 4.2t and a pump capacity from 105 l/min, the 8620T is a top-class performer. The Schaeffer is capable of taking on the big boys in this market with its simple to use but very strong design. In the cab, there are enough switches to get on with life but very few extras. Having spent a good few hours driving the German loader, I found it to be a really serious piece of kit and, if it comes in below or similar price wise to the main contenders, it should be seriously considered as an option on any farm needing a machine of this size and style.
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