“It became obvious we needed something to help us get this job and many others completed more effi ciently,” Moran says. “The volunteers and staff just could not keep up.”
Moran researched a selection of compact tractors, test drove a number of them and compared the machines with each other.
“The Bobcat brand stood out — both on quality and price,” he says.
He purchased the CT225 from Bobcat of Connecticut, East Hartford. The 27-horsepower compact tractor is just the right size for working in and around the Camp Care barn and paddock.
Moran was convinced he made the right choice after using the compact tractor to turn a fi eld on the property into a pasture. The CT225 was used to clear brush and move logs, rocks and soil.
“The Bobcat compact tractor was tremendous,” Moran says. “It passed my fi eld test, for sure.”
around Lima, Ohio. It is a premier center accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.
Today, three full-time staff members and more than 200 volunteers provide specialized horseback riding therapy for about 85 individuals per week with a variety of physical disabilities. The age of the riders ranges from 3 to 80. According to Michelle Andrews Sabol, director, they are referred to the program by area hospitals, schools, therapists and physicians.
The Fassetts deeded their 50-acre farm to the program in 2001, including indoor and outdoor arenas and riding trails through 11½ acres of woods.
“With 17 horses and a heavy weekly riding schedule, the need for a utility vehicle is great,” Ann says. “When the
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The mostly volunteer crew found the compact tractor easy to operate, and before long jobs such as moving hay and hauling water to the pasture were simple. And the most dreaded chore of all — handling manure — became much less diffi cult.
“We previously shoveled manure into a 30-yard Dumpster, and there comes a point when you cannot pile it any higher,” says Jeanne Avery, assistant program director, barn manager, volunteer coordinator and instructor. “Now we can load it completely full, which has allowed us to space out the pickup of the container by fi ve weeks — a nice cost savings.”
With ongoing construction and plenty of daily chores, the user-friendly CT225 is kept busy around Camp Care.
“The entire property looks more neat and tidy, without nearly as much manpower as was previously required,” Avery says. “Plus, we are so much more effi cient. Life is easier for everyone.”
“The 3400 has been a great addition to the farm.” — Felicia Thuman
performance of our old machine declined, we knew we needed a replacement to help us keep up with our daily chores.”
The 3400, purchased from Bobcat of Lima, has a 32-horsepower gas engine (also available in 25-horsepower diesel) and a top traveling speed of 30 mph. When the vehicle is in four-wheel drive, torque is sent to every wheel. If the rear wheels begin to lose traction, the front wheels engage.
Two employees who regularly operate the 3400 give it high marks.
Sarah Potts, volunteer and program coordinator, uses it to drag the arenas.
LEFT: A Camp Care volunteer drives the Bobcat CT225 with front-end loader to deliver bedding materials to the stables. MIDDLE: Moving hay bales is a snap with the Bobcat compact tractor and front-end loader. RIGHT: Jeanne Avery and Dr. Stephen Moran from Camp Care.
Standard comfort features Bobcat®
compact tractors come
standard with many comfort features that may only be available as options on other tractors. These comforts include:
Adjustable suspension seat (deluxe seat available)
Tilt steering Integrated joystick control
Rubber mat and rubber-coated pedals
Ample foot space and leg room Cruise control
“The previous vehicle abruptly changed speeds, causing uneven dragging and waves in the surface,” Potts says. “The 3400 does a nice, steady job. It has a good turning radius, which allows me to make tight turns in the smaller arena. It’s a terrifi c machine.”
Felicia Thuman, farm manager, has spent plenty of time on the Bobcat utility vehicle, hauling hay, manure, equipment and tools in the cargo dump box.
“It handles the trails very well, especially when delivering wood chips,” Thuman says. “The 3400 has been a great addition to the farm.”
Adds Ann: “We have been extremely satisfi ed with the utility vehicle. I cannot think of anything we would change. It is absolutely wonderful!”
SUMMER 2011 | WorkSaver 9
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