At the Balmoral Show last year, Blaney Motor Company introduced a new pivot loader and compact telehandler — the starting point for a new range of machines. We take a look at the L1 10-27

T he crossroads conundrum for expanding livestock farmers: do they compromise handling capacity by staying with a similar-size machine to squeeze in smaller buildings? Or do they invest in a bigger handler for quickly shifting stuff as well as running a smaller loader for getting in those tighter spaces?

The latter machine size is a market where Blaney Motor Company is looking to tick the boxes with a line of compact wheeled loaders and telehandlers. The Northern Ireland company is no stranger to manufacturing having previously produced quad bikes and since then set up Quad-X for ATV implements, Blaney Agri for tractor-sized tackle, Load-X loader attachments and precision engineering firm Blaney Gears. And the simple reason for having so many brands is that the relevant dealers have access to the kit they can sell. So, back to the L1 10-27 wheeled loader.

Blaney decided the 1,000kg lift capacity was a good place to start, as a big proportion of farm handling falls into this weight bracket, including silage bales and loaded pallets. The 2.7m lift height is measured to the pivot pin. As for the other parts of the machine’s numbering, L means fixed boom while telescopic models will have a T and the 1 stands for first generation. Supplying the power is a three-pot, 40hp, Yanmar diesel working a two-speed Rexroth hydro transmission. The drop box and axles are all made in house. The seat area hinges up for servicing and spannering, with the fuel filter and water trap right there in front of you. Adhering to the Blaney mantra of keeping things simple, the electrics are all powered by relays housed in a waterproof box with not a PCB in sight. Even the fuses live on the steering column, with clear covers for a quick check.

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