Boosting Crop Production by Spreading Effluent
Tararua district farmer Jamie Harris milks around 400 cows using a split calving system on his farm, Crossdale Dairies.
With the growing cost of synthetic fertilisers slashing bottom lines, the use of natural manures can help augment soil fertility and make a positive financial impact.
FarmChief imports and distributes the UKbuilt West Dual Muck Spreader, a watertight, side-discharge machine that offers the benefits of being able to spread liquid slurries or heavy, solid farmyard manures and all grades of product in between.
Featuring a heavy-duty tub design, the five-model range offers capacities of 5.9 to 13.6 cubic metres, with tare weights of three to five tonnes, with horsepower requirements of around 70 to 130hp.
At the forward end of the rotor, close-coupled impellors ensure a smooth flow of material to a side-mounted, underslung, rigid impellor, rotating at 500rpm, that creates an even spread. During operation, a mechanically driven, continuously oscillating side plate helps stop any bridging or stopping of material as it moves forward. Designed to disperse the material in a fine spread pattern of up to 21m, depending on material, the discharge rotor features reversible and replaceable tips to ensure a long service life.
At the discharge point, a hydraulically adjustable guillotine door allows accurate control of spreading rate, while the spreading rotor is complemented by a spring-loaded lower housing to pass without damaging the machine.
The main driveline is protected from overload by a shear-bolt on the input shaft.
A low centre of gravity and large flotation tyres mean the load is spread evenly, helping to reduce ground compaction in the paddock, while also improving the towing experience on both the road and on rolling country. Given the overall weight of the loaded unit, hydraulic brakes are fitted standard for safe stopping a control.
Visit Farmchief at site number 8.
