Feeder wagons debut
Highland brings out buyers
Scotlands premier agricultural
event, The Royal Highland
Show, moved into gear last
week and, as ever, produced
a plethora of new machinery.
Andy Collings reports
ANY suggestion that Scotlands agricultural machinery industry is lacking in support from its customer base was dispelled at last weeks Royal Highland Show, held in Edinburgh.
Machinery lines swelled with manufacturers keen to display their wares to a large and, in the main, interested audience. And, better still, more than a few exhibitors reported sales being clinched.
Held in a country with more than its share of ATV users, the Highland has always been an important event for manufacturers of such machines.
Leading the pack this year was GHL which launched a new diesel powered ATV in the form of the Scorpion 436 – a smaller and cheaper version of the companys Diablo diesel machine.
Clearly aimed at the farmer who requires little more than an economical runabout capable of towing a lightweight trailer, the Scorpion is powered by a single cylinder, air cooled 436cc Lombardini engine. Transmission is identical as that used in the larger machine and comprises a two-ratio, variomatic unit which, says the manufacturer, is able to offer a high degree of engine braking. More positive braking is provided by a transmission brake for the rear axle and drum brakes on the front.
A two-wheel-drive ATV – GHL has yet to produce an all wheel drive version – shock absorbers and coil springs provide the all-round independent suspension.
The GHL Scorpion 436 costs £3750 with production expected to commence within the next 12 weeks.
Suzuki
SUZUKI is back in the ATV business. After an absence from the European scene of some five years – manufacture has continued for other markets – the company has now resurfaced with two new machines.
The LT 300 King Quad and the LT 500 Quad Runner could well be recognised by Suzuki ATV owners of late.
Over the interim absentee period, Suzuki has tweaked and updated the models to the point that they are now considered to be in-line with other major manufacturers versions.
A 280cc, 4-stroke engine powers the four wheel drive LT300 which has a 5-speed transmission with high, low and superlow ratios. Fully independent suspension is employed. The larger LT 500 is equipped with a 493cc, water cooled engine and a 5-speed transmission.
Suzukis announcement to return to the European market will be met with a mixed reaction from the trade. Many dealers felt a degree of indignation when the product was withdrawn and may choose to major with their existing franchises.
Further complications may arise from the fact that Suzuki UK, for the past two years, has been marketing the US-built Arctic Cat ATVs which are powered by Suzuki engines.
Safer cattle clipping
RITCHIE Equipment used the Highland Show to launch a number of innovative products. Heading the list was an anti-kick apron used in cattle crushes when belly trimming or other operations need to take place in this area.
The apron starts life as a strong rubber mat lying along the floor of the crush. Once the beast has entered, the mat is raised by two chains to provide a barrier so trimming can commence.
Simple in its concept, the design offers several other advantages over more mechanical systems. If the beast is tall, it would be longer and, as such, allows more length of mat to be raised: smaller and shorter and less length is raised. In short, it is self regulating.
Another advantage is to be found in the construction of the system which ensures, should the beast become totally out of control, there is little chance of physical damage being caused.
Advocates of simple, yet clever designs could also be impressed with the Ritchie cattle grid which does not require any excavations in the gateway.
Comprising a raised grid measuring some 2.4m x 2.4m (8ft x 8ft) and four ramps, the mobile grid has a list price of £866. It is also worth noting that the system is safe for wildlife which cannot become entrapped in deep excavations.
Tow-around driers
HAVE a corn trailer but no drier? Averon Engineering, of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, now offers a drier kit which is designed to be fitted to trailer and lorry bodies – irrespective of their make or, in most cases, their condition.
The kit comprises floor panels, heater fan and a grain stirring assembly. Floor panels, 17.5cm (7in) high provide the plenum chamber through which air can be blown. Air is forced into the plenum chamber by an electric fan within a heater unit fired on kerosene, gas or diesel. The unit can be programmed to operate in time cycles and, at the end of the drying period blow cold air through the grain.
Drying is assisted in the trailer by the two-auger stirrer which moves up and down taking about 18 minutes to complete a pass along the length of the trailer.
Averon points out that the trailer need not be in first class condition – all that is required is a container which can be tipped to empty its load. Conversely, it may be that the trailer is disrobed of its drying equipment and used conventionally for other duties during the course of the year.
Price of the Averon grain drying kit starts at about £12,000.
Three minis at a time
A BIG square bale grab introduced by Albutt is designed to lift three mini Hesston-type bales or two large ones, and stack them vertically.
Designed for telescopic handlers, key to the system is the positioning of the implements attachment frame which is horizontal rather than the normal vertical.
This means that the vehicles crowd ram is extended when the bales are gathered – individual control of the three banks of grab hooks is possible – and when retracted the bales are rotated through 90 degrees into the vertical for stacking purposes.
Attachment frames to suit all makes of telehandler can be specified, says Albutt. Price is £2340.
Feeder wagons debut
TWO new feeder wagon ranges join the product line-up from Kverneland – a move which the company claims makes it the supplier of the most complete range of feeding equipment available in the UK.
The KD 400 Series paddle/auger feeders and the KD 600 Series 2-auger feeders offer purchasers a choice of machines to suit a variety of different feeding regimes.
The paddle/auger version is available in two sizes – 10.5 cu m and 14 cu m – and employs a large paddle and a single horizontal auger to circulate and mix material. Mixed material is unloaded to the left of the machine by opening a slide on the auger casing to allow feed to fall onto a chute.
For mixing and chopping of whole bales, the KD 600 series includes four models, 8 to 14 cu m – which are fitted with two horizontal augers equipped with chopping knives on their flights.
As with the 400 series, weigh load sensors are fitted to allow accurate ration compilation. Mixed feed can be unloaded both to the right and left of the machine As before, there is an option of a conveyor.
Price of the KD 400 Series starts at £15,500 and of the KD 600 Series, £19,500 for the 12cu m version. *