Strong and robust – the 1190e in daily continuous use

Reinhard Kunrath from Stuvenborn has over 10 years of experience with electric yard loaders.

What is still uncharted territory for many is already everyday practice for Reinhard Kunrath: sustainable, quiet, and powerful work with an electric work machine on a traditional dairy farm. Alongside  his wife and son, he runs the family farm in Stuvenborn (Schleswig-Holstein), managing around 150 dairy cows and 150 hectares of fodder land. The farm is located right in the middle of the village – and that’s exactly why the use of quiet and emission-free machinery is very important for him. Back in 2015, he was one of the first farmers to choose an electrically powered Hoftrac from Weidemann. At the time, he was a pioneer – and today, an electric loader has become an integral part of his daily operations and something he could no longer imagine working without.

He is currently using the second generation of Weidemann’s eHoftrac, the 1190e with 18.7 kWh battery capacity and an onboard charger, which has already logged an impressive 2,200 operating hours – that’s around 1,200 hours per year, running day in and day out ...

Long-term experience with the eHoftrac.

His first 1160 eHoftrac from Weidemann has been in use since 2015 – with equally high operating hours and under tough conditions in the barn. Choosing its successor was an easy decision:

"A machine like this really belongs on every dairy farm."

And opting for another electric drive was a no-brainer for him after the positive experience with the first generation.

Reinhard Kunrath really means it: his daily routine demands everything from the loader – from loading the feed mixer with additional components, pushing feed, mucking out, transporting large bales, sweeping, to various transport tasks. The 1190e is in use morning, noon, and night:

"The 1190e really has to work hard every day – and it does a great job. The machine is absolutely reliable. I’d say: if it’s not running, it’s charging!"

For the various tasks, Reinhard Kunrath has the appropriate attachments ready: feed pusher, high-tip bucket, pallet fork, and a sweeper. This allows the many different jobs on the farm to be handled flexibly and efficiently.

Full performance, full acceptance – on the farm and in the village.

A major advantage for Reinhard Kunrath is the quiet and emission-free operation – not just for his own comfort and animal welfare, but also with regard to his neighbors:

"Our farm is right in middle of the village. Our neighbors are glad we have the electric loader – we can work whenever and for as long as we need. After all, a farm doesn’t shut down on weekends or holidays."

The electric drive has also proven itself in the barn: "When reversing into the barn buildings, no one is breathing in diesel fumes anymore – especially with constant work on the feed alleys, that’s extremely important with our barn layout."

Technology that pays off – not just ecologically.

The charging infrastructure on the Kunrath farm is well thought-out: a 74 kW PV system, 58 kWh buffer storage for stability, and overnight charging – enabling the eHoftrac to operate with around 70% self-generated electricity on average over the year (factoring in differences between summer and winter). The milking system and milk cooling are also powered this way. The farmer is happy that he can use an app to keep an eye on the farm's energy balance:

"That’s a pretty nice thing! Wherever possible, we run on battery power – from the mower and hedge trimmer to the car. And the Weidemann eLoader fits perfectly into our energy model."

What’s also important to Reinhard Kunrath is that these investments make economic sense. Compared to a diesel-powered Hoftrac, he is convinced not only by the quiet, emission-free operation and powerful performance, but also by the lower maintenance costs:

“The eLoader doesn’t need a diesel filter, no starter – thankfully, it does not have any of that! The 1190e delivers diesel-like performance – but without the noise, without the emissions, and with less maintenance. That’s exactly how modern farming should work today."

A reliable partner – from the very beginning.

For Reinhard Kunrath, one thing is clear: technology is only as good as the service behind it. He has been working for many years with Heeder Landmaschinen, Weidemann’s regional sales partner. “I expect good advice and speedy help – and if things really get stuck, an immediate replacement machine.”

Stephan Engel, managing director of Heeder Landmaschinen, knows the farm well: "Reinhard Kunrath is a passionate advocate and user when it comes to self-generated electricity. His farm is more consistently aligned with battery-powered technology than almost any other."

Reinhard Kunrath is simply one of people who don’t talk much – he gets things done, out of conviction. For Reinhard Kunrath, the Weidemann eHoftrac has been an essential part of daily operations for over ten years. His experience speaks for itself: "Quiet operation – that’s the most important thing of all: good for our family farm, good for my animals, good for my neighbours!"

The Weidemann 1190e: reliable, robust, and ready for any challenge. Day after day. Hour after hour – for people like Reinhard Kunrath, who don’t just farm – they shape the future of agriculture.