Every morning at 7 AM, Fabien Fortier climbs into his telescopic handler, hooks up the same piece of equipment he’s used for two decades, and heads out to bed his cattle. The ritual hasn’t changed much since 2005, but the machine attached to his handler has become something of a legend on his beef farm in northern France.
While neighbors have cycled through multiple tractors, balers, and bedding systems, Fortier’s Deboffles straw blower keeps chugging along. It’s not the flashiest piece of kit in his yard, but it might just be the most reliable. And after 20 years of daily use, he’s not planning to retire it anytime soon.
This isn’t just a story about one durable machine. It’s about how the right equipment choice can shape an entire farming operation, influence building design, and prove that sometimes the smartest investment is the one that just keeps working.
The €1,500 gamble that changed everything
Back in 2005, Fortier faced a problem familiar to many livestock farmers: bedding cattle by hand was eating up too much time and labor. His suckler-beef operation in the Aisne region needed mechanization, but his budget was tight. New straw blowers were expensive, and he wasn’t sure if mechanizing bedding would pay off.
That’s when he spotted a used Deboffles straw blower for €1,500. The front-mounted unit was designed to work with telescopic handlers, and while it looked basic compared to some alternatives, that simplicity appealed to him.
“I needed something that would work every day without drama,” Fortier explains. “The machine had to be reliable because when you’re finishing young bulls in straw yards, you can’t skip bedding. The animals depend on clean, dry conditions.”
The Deboffles straw blower uses a straightforward hydraulic system with just two hydraulic motors and a simple transmission. Fewer moving parts meant fewer potential breakdowns, which was exactly what Fortier wanted for his daily routine.
Two decades of daily performance
Twenty years later, that €1,500 investment continues to pay dividends. The Deboffles straw blower has outlasted several tractors and other equipment on the farm, requiring only routine maintenance to keep running.
Here’s what makes this machine so valuable to Fortier’s operation:
- Daily reliability for bedding young bulls in straw yards
- Simple hydraulic system that’s easy to maintain
- Front-mounted design that works perfectly with telescopic handlers
- Local manufacturer support for parts and service
- Fully amortized cost after two decades of use
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Purchase Year | 2005 |
| Original Cost | €1,500 (used) |
| Years of Service | 20+ years |
| Daily Use | Bedding cattle every morning |
| Maintenance | Routine hydraulic service only |
| Replacement Cost | €75 per year over 20 years |
“The machine is heavily amortized, still in daily service, and has cost little more than routine maintenance in two decades,” Fortier notes. “When something works this well, you don’t fix what isn’t broken.”
The front-mounted design has proven ideal for his setup. Unlike rear-mounted or trailed alternatives, the Deboffles unit gives him excellent visibility and precise control when distributing straw in pens and yards.
How one machine shaped an entire operation
What started as a budget-conscious equipment purchase has influenced how Fortier manages his entire beef operation. The reliability of his Deboffles straw blower has allowed him to design his routine around consistent daily bedding, which directly impacts animal welfare and performance.
His young bulls finish in straw yards that require fresh bedding every morning. The consistency of this routine, enabled by reliable equipment, has become a cornerstone of his management system. Clean, dry conditions help prevent health issues and ensure optimal growth rates.
“When you know your equipment will work every single day, you can plan everything else around that certainty,” he explains. “It’s shaped how I’ve designed my buildings and how I schedule my work.”
The local connection with Deboffles, a regional manufacturer, has also proven valuable. Parts are readily available, service support is nearby, and Fortier feels good about supporting a company in his area. This relationship has made maintenance simpler and more predictable over the years.
After two decades of use, the machine shows no signs of major wear. The simple hydraulic system continues to perform reliably, and Fortier sees no reason to consider replacement. In fact, the Deboffles straw blower has become his benchmark for evaluating other equipment purchases.
“If I can’t expect at least 20 years of reliable service from a piece of equipment, I think twice about buying it,” he says. “This machine has set the standard for what I want from farm machinery.”
For other livestock farmers considering bedding mechanization, Fortier’s experience offers valuable lessons. Sometimes the best investment isn’t the newest or most feature-packed option. A simple, well-built machine from a reliable manufacturer can deliver decades of trouble-free service.
The story of Fortier’s Deboffles straw blower demonstrates how the right equipment choice can influence an entire farming operation. From daily routines to building design to investment philosophy, this €1,500 purchase has shaped 20 years of successful beef production.
FAQs
How much did Fabien Fortier pay for his Deboffles straw blower?
He purchased the used machine for €1,500 in 2005, making it an extremely cost-effective investment over 20 years of daily use.
What type of cattle operation uses this straw blower?
Fortier runs a suckler-beef operation in northern France, finishing young bulls in straw yards that require daily bedding.
Why has the Deboffles straw blower lasted so long?
The machine features a simple hydraulic system with just two motors and a straightforward transmission, meaning fewer parts that can break down.
Is the Deboffles straw blower mounted on a tractor?
No, it’s a front-mounted unit designed to work with telescopic handlers, which gives better visibility and control when distributing straw.
Has Fortier had any major repairs on the machine?
Over 20 years, the machine has required only routine hydraulic maintenance, proving its reliability and simple design.
Would Fortier recommend buying used farm equipment?
His experience shows that a well-chosen used machine from a reliable manufacturer can deliver decades of trouble-free service at a fraction of new equipment costs.
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