For Paul Nolan and his team at Toberona Stables in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, the Avant 423 compact loader has proven to be an indispensable asset in managing their busy equine operations.
Specialising in training racehorses, Toberona Stables accommodates over 60 horses in training, with an additional 50-60 horses on-site for resale.
The farm transitioned from sheep and tillage farming to a full-fledged racing yard just a few decades ago, and the Avant 423 has been essential to their ongoing success.
“We’ve been doing this for 30 years now,” explains Paul. “We used to farm sheep and do tillage, but we decided to make the switch to horses.
“We are now a full horse farm with a training yard, focusing exclusively on racehorses.” With such a busy operation, efficiency is key, and the Avant 423 has become essential in helping the team streamline daily tasks.
A Versatile Loader
The Avant 423, a compact and highly versatile compact loader, is used extensively throughout the year at Toberona Stables.
The machine’s hydrostatic drive system, with just a forward and reverse pedal, makes it incredibly easy to operate, even for those without prior machinery experience.
“We had heard about the Avant and saw one in action, and we really liked what we saw,” says Paul.
“We had another machine here before, and it wasn’t nearly as versatile. It was awkward to use, and compared to the Avant, it didn’t match up at all. Now, we couldn’t imagine managing without the Avant. It’s the best machine we’ve ever had on the farm.”
The Avant 423’s compact size makes it ideal for manoeuvring in tight spaces, such as in the stables or along narrow pathways, yet it packs enough power to perform a range of tasks efficiently.
“We use the Avant for a whole range of duties,” Paul notes. “We use it for feeding the horses, pulling trailers with hay, loading barrows with wood chips or shavings, and sweeping the yard.
“It does a lot of hours every day and is used 365 days a year without fail.”
One of the standout features of the Avant 423 is its versatility, made even more efficient by its range of attachments.
Attachments To Tackle Different Tasks
Paul and his team use several attachments to tackle the different tasks required on a horse farm.
“We have a brush, a bucket, and a grab,” explains Paul.
“The grab is great for mucking out the stables. The brush attachment is a game changer—it sweeps the entire yard and deposits everything into the dung heap. It doesn’t leave anything behind.”
Before acquiring the Avant, the team used other equipment, such as road sweepers, but none proved as effective as the Avant’s brush attachment.
“Before, one man would need a whole day to sweep the yard,” Paul recalls. “We had brushes on the back of the tractor, but they didn’t work half as well as the Avant.
“It does the work of 3-4 men and gets the job done in no time.”
Paul also credits Ferrybridge, the authorised Avant dealer, for providing exceptional service and support.
Good Service From Local Dealer
When Ferrybridge first became an Avant dealer, Paul was the first to purchase an Avant machine in the area, and he has never looked back.
“Service is crucial, especially these days when it’s hard to get people round for repairs or maintenance,” Paul says.
“Having a good dealer like Ferrybridge has been a blessing. Any issues we’ve had have been resolved within a day, and their service is always first-class. We know we can always count on them.”
The Avant 423 isn’t just about feeding horses and cleaning stables. Paul’s team also uses it for specialised tasks like maintaining the gallops, which are crucial for the horses’ training.
“We use an electric sprayer, which we put in the bucket on the Avant,” says Paul. “We use it to spray the sides of the gallops to control weeds.
“It’s so easy to drive along with the Avant and spray.”
The Avant 423 has proven itself as a vital tool at Toberona Stables. Its combination of power, versatility, and ease of use has made it the go-to machine for a variety of tasks that keep the yard running smoothly.
For Paul and his team, the Avant is more than just a piece of equipment—it’s an essential part of their daily operations.
For more information, please visit www.avanttecno.com/uk
