Answers to the questions growers ask us most often about the Straddler and the Broco'lit. Can't find yours? Write to us.
The machines
What is a straddle tool carrier for market gardening?
A straddle tool carrier (enjambeur in French) is a high-clearance machine that drives over the crop bed, with its wheels in the wheelings. TheRomanesco Straddler is an electric, modular tool carrier: implements for transplanting, weeding, hoeing, mulching or handling fit on without tools, and you work sitting or lying down, right next to your crops.
Straddler or Broco'lit: which one should I choose?
The Straddler is the farm's all-rounder: hoeing, mulch laying, pallets, up to 4 people working at once. The Broco'lit is a lighter, faster side-car, for working lying down one or two at a time and carrying crates at 15 km/h. Our comparison explains the differences in detail.
What jobs can the Straddler do?
Planting and transplanting with up to 4 people, lie-down hand weeding on work beds, camera-guided precision hoeing over 1 to 3 rows, laying mulch film and drip line, harvesting and handling crates, pallets and bulk bins. See our market gardening guides.
Is my cropping too diverse for a Straddler?
No. The Straddler is designed for growers with a wide range of crops, and also suits growers of perfume, aromatic and medicinal plants, plant raisers, seed producers and nurseries.
Can I use it in a polytunnel?
Yes. With its height kept to 1.80 m, the Straddler fits under 6 or 9 m wide polytunnels, twin-span tunnels and multi-span greenhouses, and turns on the spot at the end of the tunnel. The Broco'lit also works under cover as well as in the open field. See our guide to growing under cover.
What is the run time?
The Straddler recharges from its own solar panels: in summer, most users never charge the battery from the mains, as the solar panel is enough. In winter, some users say they top it up from the mains a few times a month at most. The Broco'lit has a removable battery giving 10 hours or 35 km of run time (the equivalent of one or two days of intensive work with the Broco'lit), and its users say they charge it about every other day.
Can the machines work on any type of soil?
Yes. The Straddler goes almost anywhere thanks to its large, wide agricultural wheels, its low weight and its three-wheel drive. Its chains sit entirely inside the chassis, so mud cannot get into them. Scrapers are available as an option. The Broco'lit is light too and goes almost anywhere on its large wheels and wide all-terrain tyres, with scrapers to keep mud off its chains.
Can they work on slopes?
Yes, up to 10%: the Straddler and the Broco'lit are designed to work on slopes of up to 10%, combining slope and side slope.
How fast do the machines go?
While working, speed is cruise-controlled from 10 to 700 m/h on both machines. For getting around, the Straddler travels at 5.2 km/h and the Broco'lit at up to 15 km/h on private land. Speed limits on private land vary from one country to another: please check the regulations in your country.
Can they go on public roads?
For road journeys, the Straddler is hitched to a category 2 tractor, and the Broco'lit to a category 1 or 2 three-point linkage, compact tractors included. The rules for towing machinery on public roads vary from one country to another: please check the regulations in your country.
Can the machines be carried on a trailer?
Yes. The Broco'lit fits on a standard car transporter trailer. So does the Straddler in most track width configurations; otherwise, it is hitched to a tractor.
Do I have to buy every implement?
No. We help you choose the implements that are useful on your holding, and you can add more later: new implements remain compatible with the very first Straddlers ever delivered.
Can I build my own implements?
Yes. The drawings of the modular system's frames are freely available on our self-build page. CE compliance of home-built implements remains the responsibility of whoever builds them.
Is the Straddler CE certified?
Yes, the Romanesco Straddler is CE certified under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
Buying, funding and service
How much does a Straddler cost?
The price depends on the implements you choose. Build your machine in the configurator and get your personalised quote.
How much land do I need for the Straddler to pay off?
We recommend at least 1.5 cropped hectares (3.7 acres) to get the most out of the Straddler. The lighter Broco'lit is well suited to farms with scattered plots.
How much can I save compared with a tractor?
Up to €6,000 a year compared with a 40 hp tractor for transplanting, weeding and harvesting, with CO₂ emissions cut by a factor of 10. The assumptions are set out on the benefits page.
What funding is available?
In France, the Straddler and the Broco'lit are eligible for several schemes: FranceAgriMer calls, regional EAFRD grants (20 to 60%), PCAE (30 to 70%) and MSA grants for occupational risk prevention. Applications must be submitted before purchase. Outside France, there are probably local grants too: see the grants and funding page.
Do you deliver outside French Brittany and abroad?
Yes. We deliver all over France, and for other countries we can arrange a haulier to bring your machine to you. Allow a maximum lead time of 5 months, often less when we have stock.
What warranty comes with the Straddler and the Broco'lit?
Our machines come with a 2-year warranty. An optional extended warranty takes it up to 5 years.
How do servicing and after-sales support work?
Design, manufacturing and after-sales service are all handled by our team in Saint-Malo. We guide you remotely with video tutorials for the routine servicing of your machine, and for repairs we come to you if you cannot do the work yourself.
Where can I see a machine or book a demonstration?
More than 50 Straddlers and Broco'lits are already at work in France and Belgium: find them on the map on our community page. For a demonstration, get in touch: we can also consider demonstrations outside France.
Where are the machines made?
The Straddler and the Broco'lit are designed and built in France, in our workshop in Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine, French Brittany), from welding the chassis through to commissioning the machines.
Do you have dealers?
No, we sell direct, with no middleman. You deal directly with the team that designs and builds your machine: responsive after-sales service and a genuine relationship with each grower, before and after the purchase.