Kramer’s handler range came to prominence following the conclusion of its manufacturing agreement with Claas in 2017, and its subsequent integration with John Deere’s dealer network.

A year later, it launched the mid-range KT407, with a bigger counterweight than the KT357 it replaced, upping lift capacity to 4t.

See also: Farmers Weekly‘s complete guide to battery-powered loaders

One of these has now clocked 2,200 hours at John Cartledge’s 300ha dairy farm in Downhead, Somerset, bedding his 900-strong housed herd and fulfilling their catering requirements alongside a JCB 550-80.

Why a Kramer KT407?

We inherited a 68-plate JCB 538-60 when we bought the farm in 2021, but it was on 6,500 hours and worn out.

There was no shortage of choice, with dealers for all the main brands within about six miles, but I had a rough idea of what I wanted.

In the end, it came down to JCB or Kramer.

The latter was £18,000 cheaper – £78,000 with a three-year warranty from Hunt Forest – as I managed to get it just before a price increase.

The deal was so good that I couldn’t say no.

It looks even better now – I recently saw a 23-plate on 1,000 hours for the same price we paid.

Based on that, we should be looking at a cost to change of less than £10/hour.

Interestingly, since we bought ours, four other farms in the area have made the same switch.

What extras did you opt for?

Our priority was the three-speed hydrostatic transmission, as it’s more user-friendly than a torque convertor and we don’t do a lot of towing road miles.

As well as the yard work, it loads muckspreaders – hence the Michelin traction tyres.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

They’ll manage about three years – they’re just getting smooth – which isn’t bad given they spend most of their time on concrete.

The big JCB has narrow block treads, as it weighs 11t and doesn’t go near a field; it purely loads the 36cu m diet feeder.

As far as extras go, the only things we specified were air-conditioning and a pick-up hitch.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

We’ve also got a camera for the latter, which came as standard and automatically engages in reverse.

The picture is crystal clear, and we like the fact that there’s no pull cable for the pick-up – it’s solely electric.

The one thing we’d add next time is auto lube.

As it is, most of the grease nipples are grouped together and easy to get to but, at about £3,000, it’s definitely an option worth taking.

How has it performed?

Based on the past two years, we reckon it’s the best machine in this size category.

We recently demoed a Bobcat, which certainly strengthened that opinion.

The only things we’d take from that are the curved rear corner window and the radio/media system integrated into the touchscreen.

The Kramer has more lift and reach than the old 538-60, and slightly less power – but it’s not noticeable.

The one difference is that it can’t match a manual transmission for towing on the road, though it’s still really good on fuel. We’ve averaged 4.8 litres/hour so far.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

The cab is particularly well thought out, the best bit being the cut-out along the outer edge of the door that means you can put your foot straight on the step.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

The standard lighting package is also really good.

Our biggest gripe is that, for a now £90,000 machine, the joystick should be mounted on the armrest.

No doubt it will come – the bigger KT557, which will likely replace our JCB in a couple of years, already has it.

If we’re being picky, the foot pedals are slightly higher than you’d want, and we occasionally have issues with debris collecting under the boom pivot, which messes with the sensor.

But the hydraulic cycle times are seriously rapid.

By comparison, we tried out the KT559 and, as it has the same size pump but a massive ram, the boom movements were a tad slow.

We also like the pressure relief valve on the third service for coupling attachments, and the fact the overload cut-out never goes off – something that used to occur regularly just going over bumps with the Merlo 32.6s at our previous farm.

The only problem we’ve had in 2,200 hours is a broken handbrake cable.

Hopefully that reliability continues to 5,000 hours/six years.