17,000 Hours & still going strong!

With their small vineyards and high-value Pinot Noir grapes, Central Otago’s wine industry focuses on quality over quantity. No surprise then that a major vineyard contractor who helps grow many of those grapes does the same with his fleet of Fendt tractors. Gary Ford is the managing director of Vinewise Viticulture Ltd, based in Cromwell.

They bought their first Fendt 209V in 2009, and it is still in service having clocked up 17,000 hours.

“There are now a lot of Fendts up here in Central Otago. We got two of the major wineries we work for onto them. Fendts are a nice tight package. Their controls and components are solid and direct. Nothing is flimsy.”

Fuel efficiency is another bonus. Gary reckons the Fendt 209Vs use one litre less per hour than comparable tractors doing the same job.

“Our association with JJs has been excellent. They have the knowledge and ability to sort out any issue. Their mechanic Glen is like a member of our team.

“Although JJs now has an office and workshop in Cromwell, we have mostly worked with their branch in Mosgiel. It could have been a hassle to get someone up to help us, but they have always provided support to us immediately – seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” Gary says.