Kubota main player in one-stop tractor shop

It's a long way from the UK to Bindoon but Jackie and Shaun Oliver made the trip and haven't looked back.

They've been running Bindoon Tractors for almost seven years and have recently extended the business to offer on-farm mechanical work with their service unit.

Shaun, who previously worked with Massey Ferguson in the UK, has used his 20 years of tractor experience to create a one-stop shop for farmers.

"We were looking for premises to sell tractors from, like we had in the UK," Jackie said.

"It had been unused for a number of years. It's great being on this side of Great Northern Highway."

With Kubota for 18 months, Bindoon Tractors supplies local orchards and wineries with a range of mid-sized tractors.

The newest is the M96SHDM, or Mudder Tractor.

The 95hp tractor uses a rear drop axle and same size, large diameter tyres to give plenty of clearance to help lessen crop damage.

Tyre tread options range from narrow (1565mm) to wide (2025mm) with three more tread variations between.

The slant-nosed, full-open bonnet design makes maintenance easier and the synchronised swing shift, with creep speeds, allows access to a total of 24 speeds.

The most popular tractor, though, has been Kubota's MX5100 utility tractor, especially the new HST model.

The gear-driven model is standard while the hand transmission control of the HST model is ergonomic and user friendly. It features a straight-line range gear-shift and a step-less cruise control to keep working speed variation to a minimum, regardless of the terrain.

Kubota's shuttle transmission provides smooth operability and powerful agility while the shuttle shift lever allows the operator to quickly and easily switch between forward and reverse.

It's particularly handy when performing tasks that require repetitive forward/reverse motions, like front loader work.

Kubota's durable three-point hitch is another drawcard for the brand. It features telescopic lower link ends and stabilisers to allow easy attachment of a wide variety of Category I and II rear-mounted implements, and offering enormous lift capacity.

As well as tractors, the business has horse trailers and showjumping equipment.

"The showjumping gear is a sideline, the kids and I have horses," Jackie said. "When we started we didn't know what the tractors were going to do. We get the showjumping stuff from the UK, usually you have to have it made."

The business also stocks Honda power equipment, Mobil oil and can order in BareCo parts as needed.

It also offers the popular line of Millcreek muck spreaders and UK's Logic brand, which includes trailers, mowers, sprayers and road brushes.

"We're just a small business looking after others," Jackie said. "We're building a reputation."