Blog

Oct 11, 2024

The Benefits that Set Schulte Equipment Apart

Schulte "Batwing" Cutters Provide an Innovatively Narrow Transport Profile.

The equipment that gets the job done. It’s what customers from Florida to Northern Alberta have had to say about Schulte’s line of durable, dependable farm implements. That isn’t by accident, as Ken Barlott can tell you. As Department Head of Flaman Rentals in Nisku Alberta, he has a unique vantage point between Schulte’s product development process and a large chunk of its customer base.

Here are four benefits Ken sees contributing to Schulte’s well-earned international reputation. 

1. Built in Canada - and Built Heavy

Schulte industries began in Englefeld, Saskatchewan in the homesteading days of 1912. So, matching the toughness of the ground you're opening is second nature to the company.


Schulte Walking Axles Provide More Stability on Uneven Terrain.

"Just being Canadian-made, the mowers are made for our climate. They're built for our condition," Ken observes. "The thickness of the deck. The transport undercarriage has been modified and beefed up over the years. The hitch continues to be strong and they're definitely not cutting weight in any critical spots like some manufacturers may do to save costs. Schulte is definitely not afraid to keep steel in in their product.

"We work in a pretty tight timeline. When our customers are renting, they want to be working. We want to save them as much downtime as possible to make sure they’re getting their jobs done. So, we need to make sure that we're offering product that'll last.  Mowers live a pretty hard life, regardless of what they're doing."
 
2. Constantly Evolving Product Based on End-User Suggestions.  

“I've seen nothing but improvements along the way” Ken says of Flaman’s 30-year relationship with Schulte. “Any issues that have happened along the way have been addressed and improved upon. It's good to deal with the manufacturer that stands behind its product and strives to make them better.”

According to Ken, those changes come from the ground up.

“Over the years, a lot of Schulte representatives have come out with us into the field.” Those reps have also worked directly with end users, demonstrating demo units – sometimes working side-by-side with competitor products – and troubleshooting problems. Issues are identified and questions answered while the equipment is operating in the field. It’s a direct line to end user and distributor observations and suggestions for improvement.

“Complaints are addressed, and the changes are made that will make sense when the equipment is operating in the field,” Ken says. “They're not just a change on paper a CAD design. Customers understand that and like the results that that offers.”

Those results are solid, tangible changes to the equipment’s design and how it operates. Ken cites the change in tire options as a good example:


Schulte Offers Tire Options for Varying Jobs and Field Conditions.

“It may seem like a small issue for some, but a flat tire means downtime or trouble on the side of the road or even in the field.” Schulte responded to customer and distributor feedback by expanding available options. “Previous mowers had two options,” Ken explains. “An aircraft tire or a laminated tire. Laminated was great in the field, but not so great on the road at speed. Aircraft tires were good on the road and okay in the field.”

Schulte expanded its options to include severe duty and forklift style tires, along with a range of transport speeds, price points, and in-field durability flotation levels to cover a wider array of transport distances, uses, terrain, and working conditions. The company also offered configuration options like walking axles with two extra tires per mower. 

Customers have liked the changes, and so have rental dealers. 

“A change like that is important for us,” Ken says. “It makes doing business easier and more efficient.”

3. Strong Manufacturer Support, Knowledge, and Training

Having Schulte reps out for demos isn’t just market research. 

“They’re making sure the end user has a level of comfort with the proper use of the item and that it’s doing the job they want done,” Ken says. They’re also helping customers, dealers, and service departments make sure the warranty process is conducted fairly. “We’ve always felt that they do a good job of that.”


Schulte Field Demos Inform Customers While Providing Valuable Feedback.

To make sure every member of these sectors can stay informed, Schulte’s website offers easy-to-find resources for dealers and the general public alike. These include not only manuals, warranties, and parts, safety, and financing information, but also service videos and docs for mowers, tillage, and rock and snow removal.

“We've had staff watch their training seminars,” Ken says. “And customers, whether they’re custom cutters or MDs and counties, are involved in not just watching those videos, but making them. And they put on sessions on how to maintain their product and really do a strong job of supporting that and making sure that the end user knows how to properly use equipment, fix it, and keep it in good working order. They definitely offer a great level of support.”

4. Quick Access to Parts for All Models

“Parts availability is probably one of the biggest advantages Schulte has over competitors,” Ken says. “At Flaman, we stock a lot of parts ourselves. With Schulte being a Canadian company based out of Saskatchewan, and not far from our Saskatoon location, it's quick to get parts.  There's good knowledge in their parts departments with all series going right back to the 90s. So, we can supply parts, support, and service for older mowers, too.


Need Parts? Schulte and Flaman Can Get Them to You, Typically Within Two Days.

“If we don't have something, Schulte has it and they can get a part to us basically within a day or two.  A lot of our outlying stores, like up in the Peace Country, can usually source parts through our store here in Nisku. But even if it has to come from Englefeld, it's often a two-day turnaround, maximum.  So, it's quite fast to get parts. That’s something I think few other manufacturers and networks can offer.”   

Schulte Philosophy in One Word

“If I had to sum it up in one word,” Ken says of Schulte’s relationship with its customers and distributors, “I would say, ‘responsive.’”  I've always felt that they listen to their dealer network, they listen to end users.  And then they take back that feedback, be it good or bad, and develop their product further.

“I think that’s what separates them from many manufacturers - their process for improving product, training the dealer network and training customers and making sure that everyone's happy with the job and what their units are doing out in the field.”

Where to Find Schulte Equipment

Interested in learning more about Schulte mowers like the “batwing shredder” XH1500, Rock removal implements like the Giant 2500 Rock Picker, or tillage equipment like the Schulte Soilstar DHX Disc Harrow? Our expert staff will be pleased to provide details about this internationally respected line of farm and maintenance equipment. Call your nearest Flaman location to get the conversation started.