Cutting Smarter, Not Harder – Why KJR Contracting Switched to SaMASZ

In the world of agricultural contracting, every hour counts. For Kelvin Richardson, owner and operator of KJR Contracting, the pressure to stay ahead, maintain crop quality, and deliver for clients across the region means constantly looking for better ways to work.

Based southeast of Te Awamutu, the KJR team offers the full package, from mini baleage through to pit silage. Their fleet includes SaMASZ grouper mowers, a self-propelled chopper, big square baler, round baler combi, two loader wagons, three trucks, a digger and a range of other essential gear to keep things moving. Most of the clients are dairy and drystock farmers spread throughout the district and reliability is what keeps the phone ringing.

Like most contractors, Kelvin and his crew face tight timeframes, unpredictable weather, and large areas to cover, all while striving for a clean, even result that customers can depend on.

The Case for Change

A visit to Fieldays in 2023 sparked the switch to SaMASZ mowers — although that wasn’t the original plan. “It’s a bit of a funny story,” adds Kelvin. “My wife Melanie and I went to Fieldays not intending to spend any money. We’d been talking about new mowers and had priced a couple of different brands which ranged around $295K and just over $300K. Then we spotted the SaMASZ mowers which were closer to half the price — Melanie said, ‘They look pretty good, and so does the price.’ So, we got back in touch afterwards and bought them. We really liked the build quality. I’d seen them around but didn’t know much about them.”

KJR started with the rear-mounted SaMASZ KDD941STH Groupers and paired them with a different front mount, mainly because Kelvin wasn’t sure about the older-style SaMASZ fronts at the time. “They looked a bit light. But we recently trialled the new XDF front mower and absolutely loved it. My son’s now pushing for one! We’ll look at that in the near future.”

While initially concerned about FarmShop’s distance from their base, Kelvin says service has been excellent. “I can’t fault them. We haven’t needed many parts, and they’ve been great to deal with.”

He recalls a recent incident that sealed his confidence in the mowers’ build strength: “In late 2023, we were on a job in Piopio. My mower driver called me on the RT — ‘You got a copy, Kelvin? We’ve got a problem. I’ve just mowed a big post.’ I was expecting the worst. We hooked a chain on because it was jammed in one of the rear mowers and pulled it out — and honestly, you wouldn’t even know that a number one strainer had gone through there. No parts were damaged. Unbelievable! I said to him, ‘Thankfully we had the SaMASZ on this job, not our old set, we’d have been folding them up and taking them home.’”

Productivity Wins

Running the Grouper Mowers has brought major efficiency gains. “The groupers save us a lot of headaches,” says Kelvin. “We buy and sell a lot of grass through the forager, and the main reason for going with groupers was to cut out the rake. What used to happen was the mower would go out one day, then in the morning the rake would start rowing up in front of the chopper. By afternoon, the grass would be too dry. Now we can mow straight in front of the choppers and get it chopped up and away we go.”

That streamlined timing has paid off in more ways than one.

“Last year we had a couple of heat showers come through. The mower stopped, we chopped up to it, parked up and waited it out. Within a couple of hours, we were back into it. If we’d been raking the old way, all that grass would’ve been soaked, and we’d have had to spread it back out. This way, the grass quality held up, and the farmers really appreciated that. Plus, we’re covering more hectares in a season.”

Kelvin says the groupers also improve safety and precision, particularly around fence lines and troughs.

“When we open up a paddock, we put the groupers down to form that first row around the fence line and water troughs, so the rake doesn’t have to go near them. Just last week, we trained my 16-year-old stepdaughter on the twin-rotor rake and she did a fantastic job. Grouping the first row made it easier and safer for her while learning.”

Built Strong, Built to Last

The SaMASZ mowers have impressed with their durability, ease of operation, and fuel efficiency. Fewer passes mean less diesel, less labour, and less wear, benefits that quickly add up over a season. When asked what he looks for in gear, Kelvin says it comes down to affordability and build quality. “The SaMASZ mowers tick both boxes — they’re well-built and make financial sense.”

Looking ahead, Kelvin’s keeping an eye on what’s next. “I saw the new SaMASZ four-rotor rake online at the Agritechnica show — really keen to see how that progresses. We’re also looking at purchasing a SaMASZ Tedder off FarmShop too. Another good product.”

For KJR Contracting, the SaMASZ mowers have become more than just a piece of kit — they’re the foundation of a more efficient, cost-effective operation that’s ready for whatever the next season throws at them.

Find out more about switching to SaMASZ – we’d be happy to discuss the merits for your contracting business and help you make the right decision. Contact us today.