Livestock 2014: Kitt’s smaller slurry separator keeps more sand out of the lagoon

US maker Daritech has been selling slurry separators into the UK via Kitt Kraiburg for some time. Though they have the useful ability to deal with sand, they have tended to be too large for many UK producers.

Now the firm has brought in a smaller machine aimed at European farmers. Measuring 1.5x3m (about half the width of the previous machine and a bit shorter), it separates out the fibres in the slurry and traps 25-30% of the sand as well.

See also: Tips to increase slurry storage this winter

That means less sand going into the slurry lagoon and less danger of silting and reduction in capacity, says the company. Though the machine is mainly about removing sand and fibres from the slurry to maintain store capacity, there’s also scope to make both stackable fibres at 16-25% and green bedding at 30-34% dry matter content.

Energy use on the new machine is low and you only need single-phase power rather than three-phase. Cost is £25,000 for simple separation and £40,000 for producing green bedding.

See also: All the news and photos from the Livestock Event 2014