Feed pad with rubber matting hailed as game changer
For Otago farmers Michelle and Rogan Borrie, a newly constructed feed pad on one of their three farms has been a game changer.
The Performer trailed cultivator is a multi-purpose unit that can work in stubble or previously cultivated ground. Based on a central spine frame of 300 x 300mm, the cultivator comprises four elements which allow individual configuration of each to suit the job in hand.
Two rows of 510mm discs cut all residue across the full width of the frame, and are followed by four rows of tines with a 280mm spacing and a non-stop coil spring protection rated to 800kg for mixing or deeper loosening. The third element comprises a set of smaller diameter levelling discs for a tidy finish, and the rear element a 700mm diameter, ‘V’ profile roller with a weight of 225kg/m for final consolidation and moisture retention
By adjusting or removing individual sections, the cultivator can be used for trash incorporation and mixing with all units in place, deep loosening with the front disc set lifted, or fast stubble cultivation for ‘chitting’ with just the discs lowered. Discs can be operated as shallow as 7cm, and tines have a range of 5-35cm. With operating widths of 4-5m, power requirement is from 60hp/m, with a maximum permitted of 500hp.
The FC 3160 trailer mower conditioner (cutting width 3.1m) has the maker’s Optidisc cutterbar suspended under the main frame, following ground conditions closely to minimise damage to crop and ground.
Each cutting disc has two quickly attached blades, and a protection system called Protectadrive which shears the main drive to the disc around a preformed stress groove. Cutting height is adjustable up to 90mm with optional skids. This ensures minimal damage if any obstructions are hit at speed and 15 minute repair times.
Following up the cutting unit is a rotor conditioner with the choice of swinging steel flails or crimping rollers for more delicate crops. Both systems are protected by shear-bolt to the main rotor. Completing the package is the Gyrodine power hitch headstock at the front which allows turns over 90 degrees without damaging the drive line, and oversize tyres at the rear which help carry the machine and protect the ground in all conditions.
The GA 9531 is a twin rotor central delivery swather with a raking width of 8.40-9.3m. Suspended off a central spine, each rotor has 15 arms with four tines per arm, to ensure clean raking in all conditions. One of the main features of the swather is its rotor drive gearboxes with a two-stage reduction drive to ensure trouble free, extended life. Each rotor is carried on a six-wheel undercarriage to ensure good ground following and clean raking, and has hydraulically adjustable swath width to produce a neat row for different types of harvest unit.
The RW 1610 E-Twin is a trailed table wrapper with a heavy-duty low chassis that enables it to handle silage bales to a 1200kg capacity. Bales are lifted onto the four belt wrapping table, while a second bale can be carried by the lifting arm as the unit is travelling for the next bale. Film is applied by a pair of reels that pre-stretch and apply film with a 66% overlap, so reducing wrapping times by 50%. In-cab controls allow automatic or manual operation.
