fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 10 April 2018 10:10

Tough tub gets the job done

Written by  Mark Daniel

A bespoke Giltrap high capacity trailer was essential for the remodel of Mullerwhero Farming's 265ha, 830 cow farm near Otorohanga.

Neil and Peter Muller needed to move a lot dirt. Mindful of time and weather constraints, they decided to buy a unit from manufacturer Giltrap Engineering, located just around the corner. 

Giltrap was able to make a bespoke unit to meet the Muller’s wishlist so the company got the order.

The recently delivered Construction series 22 trailer is built for a tough life. It has a body made of 6mm Hardox steel that helps reduce tare weight without compromising strength. 

Notably, Giltrap Engineering is the only New Zealand farm machinery maker accredited by the Swedish steel supplier to use its ‘Hardox in My Body’ slogan.

The trailer measures 4.88m long x 2.9m wide and is rated 11 cu.m capacity, level filled, though in use a heaped load amounts to about 17 cu.m because of the slightly wider-than-normal configuration.

As well as capacity, the trailer was chosen for its rear steering axle set-up -- a heavy-duty ADR unit. This also has unique hydraulic suspension which has quickly become a positive talking point.

Mullers wanted to avoid leaf spring suspension because of its tendency to instability, especially when tipping.

The Construction 22 series uses four hydraulic suspension units and accumulators that give 240mm of travel for each wheel. This allows the operator to control ride height in paddock or road at the touch of a switch, and it allows adjustment of the rear axle to transfer more weight to the rear axle of the towing tractor.

A high degree of automation during tipping sees the steering ‘locking’ in the straight-ahead position as the trailer moves rearwards. As the body tips the front axle lifts – transferring load to the rear axle and reducing the risk of a vertical jackknife.

Coupled to the tractor with an 80mm ball and spoon hitch ahead of a swivelling hitch, the trailer pulls well. This is enhanced by 650-55R 26.5 flotation tyres that help reduce compaction and offer reduced rolling resistance especially in difficult conditions.

A high-clearance hydraulic tailgate gives unobstructed discharge and a four-way pivot at the base of the tipping ram deals with any misalignment. This and a dual hydraulic and air braking system (lights are LED) halts the trailer swiftly and safely.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…