Alpego eyes electric power harrow
Distributed by OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the Italian Eima Event, taking away an innovation award.
Already well known for its Kompactor range of push off trailers, Ireland-based HiSpec Engineering has extended the technology to its latest dump trailer with the push-off headboard system for unloading.
Offering a heaped load volume of 14.5 cubic metres, the PD20 trailer is said to have a carrying capacity of around 20 tonnes, depending on material.
Unlike conventional tipping dump trailers, the PD20 is offloaded using a hydraulically operated moving-floor type headboard, with a push-off capacity of 28 tonnes, that pushes the load from the body once the upand- over tailgate has been raised.
By emptying the load this way, rather than vertically tipping, the trailer can be offloaded on slopes without the risk of overturning, while also allowing operation in areas with restricted height.
It is also said to make it easier to offload and spread a load while on the move. Once the trailer has been emptied and the tailgate closed, the operator can move off while the headboard is retracting, so avoiding the delay of waiting for the body to lower when using a tipping trailer.
The configuration, that removes the need for hydraulic tipping rams and hinge points, means the PD20 has a much lower centre of gravity the centre than a conventional dump trailer, while also offering a loading height of only 2.39m.
The floor of the trailer body is constructed from 8mm thick Hardox steel, while 6mm Hardox steel is used for the body sides.
The hydraulically sprung drawbar is equipped with a bolt-on swivel hitch, while the commercial grade 127mm section axles are fitted with 420×180 air/hydraulic brakes and 525/65 R20.5 173F tyres.
On the edge of the hot, dry Takapau plains, Norm and Del Atkins have cultivated a small but exceptional herd of 60 Holstein Friesian cows within their mixed breed herd of 360 dairy cows.
The DairyNZ board and management are currently trying to determine whether, and to what degree, their farmer levy payers will support any increase in their levy contributions.
Milk production is up nationally, despite drought conditions beginning to bite in some districts, according to the latest update from Fonterra.
Dry conditions are widespread but worse in some places, with rain and drought affecting farms just a few kilometres away.
The Government's plan to merge the seven crown institutes presents exciting possibilities for plant technology company Grasslanz Technology, says chief executive Megan Skiffington.
Agribusiness leader Rob Hewett is the new chair of listed carpet maker Bremworth.
OPINION: Results of regional New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) are trickling in but there's a worrying trend emerging.
OPINION: It seems that the work rate of some parliamentarians is well below par.