This year the extraordinarily successful Vervaet Hydro Trike self-propelled slurry applicator celebrates its 35th anniversary. To mark the occasion, new machines supplied during 2025 feature special commemorative decals as well as an updated livery.
The Hydro Trike was initially developed on the continent in response to sudden demand following Dutch government legislation which made it mandatory to inject slurry. Extensive prototype testing during 1990 was followed by production in 1991.
The Hydro Trike concept matched high-output with low ground pressure, using three flotation tyres to spread its weight evenly and provide a tight turning circle. It quickly became popular, and has now been the continental market-leader for well over two decades with well over 1000 made in total.
The Hydro Trike has been constantly updated since its introduction, and today’s range includes three-wheel and five-wheel models with tank capacities of 16m3 and 20m3 respectively. Solid manure spreading bodies can also be fitted.
Parts are held in stock for all machines going right back to the beginning, meaning older machines can still be backed-up. This is demonstrated by multiple older Hydro Trikes, each with nearly 30,000 hours on the clock, still in operation on the continent.
Although arguably too advanced for the UK market when first developed, more recently sales have increased dramatically over here, and there is now a steadily growing healthy population. With UK importer J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd able to draw on a large pool of quality used machines, as well as factory-overhauled examples, there is something available to suit all workloads and budgets.
Whilst the Hydro Trike suited some users, Vervaet responded to demand from the UK for a four-wheel machine by developing the Quad 550 in 2021. Another success story, the first two machines off the production line were delivered to British customers in spring 2022 with many more following, and today the Quad is the most popular four-wheel self-propelled slurry applicator in the UK.
The standard Quad has a 22m3 tank, 550hp engine, hydro-mechanical transmission and mechanical axles, but for maximum capacity there is also the option of the 40m2 Quad XL. New machines for 2025 are fitted with the latest Claas X11 cab, as introduced recently on the Vervaet Q-616 beet harvester.
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