increase font size
Advantage plastics has recently added to its agricultural collection with a clever, cone-bottomed mixing/dissolving tank.
Well-known for its moulded plastic products for a range of industries, South Island-based Advantage plastics has recently added to its agricultural collection with a clever, cone-bottomed mixing/dissolving tank.
Offering an easy solution to dissolving fertilisers – such as ammonium sulphate, urea or micronutrients for easy transfer to a sprayer – the unique configuration answers the problems created by attempting to create premixes with flat-bottomed tanks to speed up spraying logistics.
It features a robust, weather and UV-resistant tank of 3,500-4,000L. This is mounted in a robust galvanised steel frame, with the set set-up said to be the ideal size to accommodate single bulk bags of fertiliser. This allows operators to dissolve 1,200kg of sulphate of ammonia in 2,500L of water in around 15 minutes.
With 2-inch inlet and outlet fittings, with the latter incorporating a bung, the lower cone-shape of the tank creates a vortex as the water is circulated. This helps to quickly dissolve solids that are added.
In practice, a portable pump with a capacity of around 600L/minute is connected to the inlet and outlet fitting of the tank.
Once the required volume of water is placed in the tank, the lower outlet is opened to create a circular flow and the fertiliser is added through the top opening and quickly dissolved.
Said to be easily cleaned, without leaving any solid residues, easy access is gained with twin 450mm openings. Meanwhile, in the off-season the mixer tank can also be used to store grains, meals or other liquids – adding to the versatility of the unit.
“I trialled the new cone-bottomed mixing tank and was really impressed with its functionality,” says Nigel Greenwood of Southbridge.
“Sturdy and well built, the unit is easy to fill, add product to, mix and empty out into the sprayer. It’s easy to clean and certainly looks the part.”
Twin rotor swathers have become the ‘go-to’ for forming swaths to feed hungry harvesters and balers, however, the design layout often means that crop located between the two rotors is not picked up, turned over or incorporated into the swath formed for subsequent harvesting.
Operating large tractors became more expensive back in March due to the ongoing Strait of Hormuz conflict, meaning contractors had to introduce fuel surcharges and farmers had to adjust their budget forecasts.
Close to the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks, Motueka is known for apples, pear and kiwifruit orchards, alongside specialised crops such as hops. Indeed, that specialisation, saw the area being the New Zealand centre of the tobacco growing, until the early 1980s.
Can-Am has introduced its 2027 range of side-by-side vehicles (SSV) and all-terrain vehicles (ATV), including the industry leading Defender, the Maverick R and the hugely capable Outlander ATV, incorporating a host of advancements designed to deliver an exceptional riding experience.
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
