Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
The last to see the designers' pen and the engineers' input is the SF Range of silage wagons, that now makes way for the EZ-Feed series. Recently launched in 11 and 13 cubic metre models, with bigger capacities due in the not too distant future, the EZ takes some detail from the well-known Combi series to cut a clean fresh look with the Hustler green and white colour scheme.
Featuring walking beam and tandem axle running gear, the units are designed for those feeding clamp silages, with the company drawing attention to the fact that EZ-Feed is the first wagon in NZ to feature 100% roller drive chains throughout.
This sees twins 12,000lb rated roller chains and box section bars used in the bed floor, beater/elevator and discharge conveyor. Chains and sprockets are covered to prevent any build up of feed material, said to offer an extended service life.
The driveline features a sealed reduction gearbox powering the bed floor, alongside a directly driven elevator and discharge conveyor. All drives feature sealed bearings with trash shields, with a centralised greasing point for the axles and any hard to reach nipples.
The Twin Feed discharge conveyor allows left or right-side discharge for greater versatility, with five positions for the discharge floor to allow easy set up for feeding into troughs, via the one metre wide conveyor.
As standard, the machine only requires one double-acting remote valve from the tractor hydraulics, with an on-board load sensing system taking care of the load on the elevator and discharge conveyor to ensure there are not blockages.
Sure to win praise from users, the upper edge of the bin is fitted with rotationally moulded "greed boards" that help increase capacity and stop spills and are said to be virtually indestructible. They also remove the potential for splinters or large pieces of wood entering the ration, a problem often seen if wooden items are damaged by the loader.
Supplied "scales-ready", the Hustler Feedlink weighing and feed management system connects wirelessly with a mobile phone or tablet in the cab to monitor weights of materials being loaded, and programmed to set discharge weights for different mobs of animals.
Several neat features improve the operability of the machine, including full-length, heavy-duty steel mudguards, the auto-release, removeable tailgate that protects against loads inadvertently being pushed rearwards, a swivel eye drawbar and a substantial parking jack. Options include the weigh system, an access ladder, improved lighting and extremity markers, hydraulics brakes, crash bar protection for the discharge conveyor and oversize tyres.
