Versatile all-rounder on HVO100

With around 450 hectares and a range of more than 1,600 tree species or cultivars, Van den Berk Nurseries is one of the largest nurseries in Europe. From three locations in the Netherlands, Germany and England, over one hundred employees work on growing, selling and delivering top products for customers in 35 countries. Several Mecalac 12MTXs are used for this, including recently a machine that runs on biodiesel.

Ahlmann Netherlands took a look at the impressive facility in North Brabant. Sint-Oedenrode is also called "The green heart of the Meierij," with Van den Berk's orchards surrounding the village like a green blanket. The former farmhouse has been converted into offices, with a modern warehouse with workshop attached. In close consultation with landscape architects, project developers, green managers, garden designers and horticulturalists, some 20,000 to 30,000 trees are delivered annually for use in city centers, recreational parks, gardens or
at business parks.

Upon arrival, operator Mark van de Wiel is sweeping the parking lot with a roller broom. Meanwhile, over a cup of coffee, Bram van den Bosch updates us on his work in the areas of planning & logistics, innovation and certifications, such as those for the CO₂ Performance Ladder and On the way to Planet Proof.

Extensive fleet

Van den Berk Nurseries holds the environment in high regard and carries this through throughout its operations. "We are committed to sustainable production and cultivation in harmony with nature," Van den Bosch says. "We attach importance not only to environmentally conscious cultivation, but also to high biodiversity in our plots. In the area of sustainability, all energy flows have been mapped and we are taking a critical look at our extensive machinery fleet as the biggest 'polluter'. The fleet has some one hundred machines, including thirty tractors, seven mobile cranes, three shovels and several trucks."

The green specialist has been a loyal Mecalac customer for many years and has six 12MTXs and one 12MXT, a forerunner of the current generation. The articulated undercarriage and unique boom construction give this multifunctional machine a special appearance. "For us they are ideal machines, much more practical than a 14-ton mobile crane," operator Van de Wiel knows. The low self-weight of 9 tons combined with an articulated chassis and pivoting rear axle guarantees excellent off-road capabilities, demonstrated while working with a lifting jib on the narrow paths of the coconut field.

Unsurpassed range

The adjustment boom with offset function and parallelogram lifting system (which allows the arm to be pulled over the upper structure) also contributes to the Mecalac DNA. It provides unsurpassed working range in all directions and guarantees plenty of lifting power. "It easily lifts 5 tons," reports Van de Wiel proudly. The operator praises the Mecalac as an all-round all-rounder: compact, agile and strong. "The 12MTX is widely used, from lifting trees to pulling carts within a 10-kilometer radius. We also attach a blade to it to round up trees to be uprooted, and with pallet forks it's like a big forklift. So that versatility comes in handy."

Although seemingly little changes, Van de Wiel notes that the multi-purpose earthmoving machine has become increasingly refined over the years. Compared to previous models, visibility to the right has improved and the cab with sliding door offers extra comfort. The new addition has a quiet, economical and clean power source, which meets the strictest emission standards (Stage V). At bauma in October, Mecalac showed the production version of the e12, a fully battery-powered version of the 12MTX. "Electric has been looked at, but that remains future for us. First the battery capacity has to increase further, Trees are often so heavy that the battery is empty within just a few hours," Van den Bosch says.

Up to 90% CO₂-reduction

As an environmentally conscious alternative, it was decided in consultation with Ahlmann Netherlands to run the 12MTX on biodiesel. HVO100 is made from 100% renewable raw materials and, compared to fossil fuel, delivers up to 90% of CO₂-reduction. This fits perfectly within the sustainability ambitions of the tree nursery, which, under the name Treevolution, is working on solutions to current issues such as: How can we benefit from greenery in a rapidly changing world? Which tree species and cultivars appear to be climate resistant? How can these be grown sustainably and efficiently? All with a view to the future, in which environmentally conscious cultivation in harmony with nature is central.

In line with this, plenty of investment is being made in equipment. All trucks are equipped with Euro 6 engines and an HVO tank has been installed for the new Mecalac at the site in Sint-Oedenrode. Jos Heijmans, responsible within Van den Berk for machine purchasing, is very pleased with this solution. "You don't notice any difference in terms of performance, but you do notice a difference in terms of emissions. The machine also has to unload a lot in the shed and then you really don't smell anything with the new engine in combination with biodiesel. Over the first 500 hours the 12MTX consumes an average of 5.7 l/hour, so that's a decent value. HVO is a bit more expensive, but regular diesel prices continue to rise anyway."