“… the quality and durability of Zuidberg front linkages and PTOs doesn’t happen by accident. They are the result of the company’s ongoing investment in an extensive programme of research and development, testing and validation.”
The workhorse around the farm, your tractor is one of the biggest investments in machinery you’re ever likely to make. So, you’ll want to be sure you can trust in the quality of any accessories and equipment that you fit to this, one of your most valuable business assets. Among the most common add-ons, whether specified on new tractor purchases or ‘retrofitted’ to pre-owned tractors, are front linkages and PTOs. Which is hardly surprising given the extra flexibility and productivity they can bring to the capabilities of any tractor – from the smallest ground-care compacts to the largest high-tec powerhouses.
As important as these pieces of kit undoubtedly are, there is often a temptation to view them as ‘commodity’ items, in the mistaken belief that one front linkage or PTO is pretty much the same as another. However, the reality is very different and going for the cheapest option may well cost you more in the long run, be it due to shorter working life leading to early replacement, increased maintenance requirements or, in worst case scenarios, complete failure resulting in expensive unplanned downtime.
Quality you can depend on
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for when choosing a front linkage or PTO. Which is why choosing a Zuidberg product will invariably prove to be a shrewd purchasing decision and ultimately much more cost-effective than opting for a cheaper alternative.
For example, Zuidberg front linkages have a cast base frame which offers superior strength compared with other linkages that still use welded construction. In addition, all lift cylinders feature a hardened chrome-plated piston rod and industrial spherical, greasable and replaceable bearings are used on both ends of the cylinder, guaranteeing a long life without play.
Furthermore, each Zuidberg front linkage is designed for optimum alignment with the shape of the make and model of tractor to which it is to be fitted.
The compact and integrated linkage profile ensures there is no compromise in the tractor’s steering angle and full ground clearance is maintained.
Zuidberg front PTOs are also engineered to a reassuringly high standard. Available in a choice of speeds with LH or RH rotation, full engine power is transferable with the standard PTO which utilises an oil cooler for optimum performance.
The internal multi-plate clutch is immersed in oil to ensure a longer service life. The output shaft can always be rotated over 60 degrees for maximum ease of connection and PTO clutch engagement time is variable to ensure smooth operation.
Testing …testing … testing
Of course, the quality and durability of Zuidberg front linkages and PTOs doesn’t happen by accident. They are the result of the company’s ongoing investment in an extensive programme of research and development, testing and validation.
Zuidberg self-imposes the most rigorous and demanding standards, not only on its manufacturing processes but also to the testing protocols the company utilises to ensure that all its products, as a minimum, are able to function at full capacity for ten years.
Since it is obviously not practical to implement a testing regime over the expected ten-year lifespan of the product, Zuidberg has developed various simulations to replicate the demands and challenges the product is likely to be subjected to over its lifetime.
Firstly, a digital assessment is carried out to verify that the product is compliant and then the product is exposed to everything it can expect to encounter throughout its working life. Examples include:
In addition, Zuidberg products must also keep pace with changing regulations concerning emission standards and improvements in power efficiency, so the company invests heavily in validation methods. In the continuous quest for ever-cleaner and more economical engines, their characteristics must inevitably change. This in turn affects the front PTO because, for example, it then has to react to more attenuated drive shafts. Zuidberg invests heavily in validation methods to ensure its products always comply fully with the changing needs of tractor and engine manufacturers.
These are the reasons why, if you are choosing a front linkage, PTO, or both for your tractor, you should settle for nothing less than Zuidberg. Search your tractor make and model on our Zuidberg configurator for the perfect match.