MUCKSPREADINGCOSTCUTSMAKE FORPRICETRIMS
MUCKSPREADINGCOSTCUTSMAKE FORPRICETRIMS
Cutting labour and machinery overheads has enabled one
west Sussex muck spreading contractor to achieve more
competitive contract rates and, as a result, a more
profitable operation. Andy Moore found out how
RUNNING a tight ship has always been top priority for David Barnard since he bought west Sussex-based Muckmasters contracting firm five years ago.
In early March this year, he replaced a 12t and two 10t rear beater machines with two 15t models with the aim of streamlining his muck spreading service – which extends from east Hants, through Sussex to west Kent.
"We had to look at ways of cutting labour and machinery overheads without reducing our spreading capacity and output," explains Mr Barnard. "Eliminating a man and a tractor has enabled us to achieve more competitive contract rates but maintain the same 120t/hr workrates."
Before the 15t spreaders arrived from Norfolk-based Eric Wilson Engineering, a typical three-machine contract amounted to £66/hr – £22/hr for each spreader.
Spreader charges
Now, the 15t spreaders are charged out at £25/hr each – amounting to £50/hr for the same amount of work.
The contract rate includes labour and running costs of the tractor and spreader, with an allowance made for fuel which is supplied by the customer.
Contract rates for spreading solids which make up about half of the firms workload are quoted up front according to the volume of manure to be shifted.
These rates have now been adjusted to allow for one less man and machine.
In addition to offering the same output at less hourly rates, Mr Barnard is now able to reduce transport costs, together with time and hassle when delivering the machines to any one of the firms 72 customers.
The two 15t EWE 1200 spreaders are towed in tandem behind a 190hp Massey Ferguson 3690, while a Hymac excavator, which is used for loading, is carried on a low loader trailer behind a 150hp Ford TW 20.
Factory-fitted
For road transport, one of the EWE 1200 spreaders was factory-fitted with a drawbar and lighting board socket.
"Transporting everything with just two tractors greatly reduces travel distance, labour and time," explains Mr Barnard. "Before, we could lose half a day getting all the machinery transported and set-up at the farm."
Once in the field, the TW 20 is unhitched from the low loader trailer and coupled to the rear-end muck spreader – a process which takes about five minutes.
Depending on how far the loading point is from the field, Mr Barnard believes the spreaders offer quicker cycle times. The three machine combination sometimes had to queue up and wait to be filled, he says.
Four loads an hour
"Each 15t machine is able to spread about four loads an hour which, depending on travel distance, matches the excavators workrate," says Mr Barnard. "These spreaders also cause less rutting and soil compaction by making less frequent journeys from the field to the loading point."
Less soil compaction and rutting is also achieved by fitting the spreaders with 71cm (28in) wide lugged tyres. In addition to wider tyres, the spreaders are also fitted with wider diameter spreading discs at the bottom of each of the two vertical beaters to give a better spread pattern of dry manure such as pig muck. Combined spread width of the two vertical beaters is about 8m.
Slurry door
Other specification included a hydraulically operated slurry door which can be closed down for handling slurry, or opened nearly right up for spreading solids up to 15t/acre on wheat, maize and rape stubble," says Mr Barnard. "Low 5t/acre application rates are used on grassland and can be achieved by altering the speed of the hydraulic motors which drive the bed chain." *
Left: In tandem and ready to go… The EWE 1200 spreaders are transported to each farm behind a 190hp Massey Ferguson 3690.
Below: Muckmasters manager David Barnard says streamlining his muck spreading service has helped to achieve more competitive contract rates.
Each of the two 15t EWE 1200 rear beater spreaders is designed to spread up to 8m wide and be capable of 60t/hr workrates.