This Merlo machine has racked up a staggering 36,000 hours working in a vegetable factory in Belgium.

The village of Ardooie in West Flanders reckons to have a 30% share of the annual 2.5 million ton east European vegetable business. 

The ARDO business itself accounts for some 380,000 tons of spinach and peas every year.

This unit and another Merlo machine – which is claimed to have worked 34,000 hours – has been replaced with a new Turbofarmer P34.7 Plus.

Interestingly both old machines are claimed to have their original engines and hydrostatic transmissions, a tribute to the stringent maintenance schedule the factory staff meet according to Merlo.