Unless there is a change of heart at McConnel as to future product investments, the last of a long run of Multidrive spreading and spraying vehicles has been built and delivered to a customer.

Conceived by Teesside farmer Eric Clayton as the C-Trac, when light, agile, low-ground pressure sprayers were all the rage, the machine evolved into a larger machine.

This was the Multidrive, with its mechanical drive, all-round suspension and four-wheel steering proving popular with contractors for spreading and spraying.

But sales in a very competitive market have declined noticeably in recent years.

See also: Forward-control Fastrac ups spreading output by 30%

“The Multidrive’s future is undecided just now,” says John Davis, McConnel’s sprayer sales manager.

“Significant investment is required to bring the vehicle up to the latest emissions standards and customer requirements, and we’ve done just that with the new Agribuggy AB30, which remains popular as a light-weight self-propelled sprayer.

“We recently built the last McConnel Multidrive M420-4, at least for the time being, while we decide its future.”

The latest iteration of the Multidrive meets Stage 4 emissions with a 225hp Cummins engine and when introduced in 2016 featured a host of upgrades to the cab, controls, software and steering.

Available with a wheelbase of 4.2m or 3.8m – the latter with a regular or forward control cab – the 10t capacity vehicle retained its ability to carry a 5,000-litre sprayer or 8t spreader, and tow up to 18t at 50kph.

Contractor DM Carnegie has taken delivery, from Agricar, of the last Multidrive from McConnel’s sprayer division facilities at Salford Priors, Worcestershire.

It is now part of a fleet of eight Multidrive vehicles operated out of Laurencekirk, between Aberdeen and Dundee.

Three are equipped with Bredal bodies for lime spreading, and for spraying there are two standard and three forward control versions – plus a couple of Clayton C-Tracs for odd spraying jobs.

“They’ve suited our purposes fairly well over the years with their size, capacity and traction,” says David Carnegie.

“Mechanical drive means the machines engaged in spraying can tow a water bowser, while the lime spreaders can pull an elevator probably weighing 9-10t.

“They’re not perfect, no machine is, but they’ve been quite good for us.”

Clayton Multidrive spreaders © RAC Contractors

Reliable choice for contractors

A 1998 Clayton C4120 still works alongside a trio of Multidrive vehicles for Leics-based RAC Contractors. It carries a KRM-Bogballe fertiliser spinner and works alongside a Multidrive 4140 with a Kuhn spreader.

RAC also operates a 4.2m 6185 bought new from Kellands with a US-built New Leader lime spreader, and a 3.8m 6185 with a 24m Landquip sprayer, which joined the fleet a couple of years ago.

“We like them for their mechanical drive, because as contractors we cover the miles on the road, and they are all happy towing a trailer with either a loader or product for application,” says James Chandler.

“They also seem to have plenty of power in the field and the grip to climb hills whilst travelling across tender ground with a light footprint.”

Most parts for these machines are still readily available, he adds, even for the Clayton, which is one of the last built and only four years older than the Multidrive 4140.