Monday, 02 July 2018 11:30

High-end hoof health care

Written by  Mark Daniel
The Hoofman aka Johan Buys (left) and Fred Hoekstra, Veehof Ltd. The Hoofman aka Johan Buys (left) and Fred Hoekstra, Veehof Ltd.

Good hoof health in dairy herds can raise yield by $500 per animal per lactation but an appropriate cattle crush is required to keep the animal and the technician safe.

Ashburton handling specialist Veehof used Fieldays to show its latest heavy-duty crush, the WOPA SA61 RS, already sold to Waikato trimming specialist The Hoofman, aka Johan Buys.

The RS (Rapid Set-up) unit has a hydraulic drawbar that, unlike on previous machines, remains attached to the unit but swings out of the work zone laterally. 

Likewise, the crush has steel ‘drive wheels’ in its lower chassis that allow sole operators to manoeuvre it into tight spaces, especially in older, less open-plan yard layouts. 

An integral battery system offers up to 20 minutes run time in which one-off or minor jobs can be done without the need for connection to mains power.

Liftable floor panels in the base of the crush allow thorough cleaning before it is to a new property, and side access gates on both sides of the rear pen hurdles allow easy, safe access to the rear of the unit. 

Larger pumps help reduce cycle times, and a remote-control function allows the operator to activate the crush from up to 20m away -- ideal for technicians operating alone.

Already commissioned by The Hoofman prior to the event, the unit is confirmed as lighter, stronger, quicker to set-up and, importantly in the current climate, much easier to clean. 

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