Friday, 01 April 2016 07:54

Hustler ups the ante

Written by  Mark Daniel
Loading with 3 point hitch. Loading with 3 point hitch.

Feeding specialists Hustler have recently introduced a three point linkage bale feeder that looks to take conventional design thinking on its head.

The new SL360X is the result of an extensive 12 month testing programme here in New Zealand, and sees a new machine with a rated capacity of 1.25 tonnes; it is said to be 8% heavier and 30% stronger than previous models.
Described as multi-purpose, the machine has another fence that allows it to contain up to 1m3 of feed. It can feed pit, loose and maize silage, as well as fodder beet and cut grass.

Improvements have been made to the auto connect and release system using the patented Snaplox coupler that ensures accurate connect and disconnect every time, and incorporates a double-latching setup said to be stronger and to eliminate stress on the loading spears.

Bale spears have forged points that make bale penetration easier, and counter the need to push bales along the ground, risking soil contamination which can be a major problem with blunt tines.

A new thermo-formed floor design sees an increase in height around the feed platform, and encloses the machine drive shafts to prevent any crop buildup and reduce maintenance downtime.
A redesign of the machine's headstock now sees it easily adapted to fit to high capacity frontloaders or telehandlers; this opens up the possibility of feeding over barriers or into mixer/feeder wagons. An optional side-shift system allows up to 180mm of offset to the left or right and helps ensure accurate placement of feed in all situations.

A further series of upgrades sees the use of bearing covers, motor protection on the head unit, and self-aligning bearings used extensively, which are said to require less greasing, extending the routine maintenance schedules.

www.hustlerequipment.co.nz 

More like this

Five year warranty deal

Hustler Equipment, manufacturer of livestock feeding machinery, has announced the introduction of a new, five-year warranty scheme for all their products manufactured in 2023 and later.

Let the good times (un)roll

Mounted bale unrollers are popular on New Zealand farms, with one Kiwi-owned manufacturer claiming to have figured out what works best for farmers, and why.

She's one big feeder

Feeder specialists Hustler has released a maxi-sized multi-feeder aimed at large scale farms in New Zealand and further afield.

Featured

EPA Chair Outlines Reforms to Speed Up Approvals

The chair of the country's environmental regulator, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), says changes are already under way to improve the performance of the agency to better meet the needs of those who interface with them.

Alliance Group's Heat Pump Programme Wins Energy Award

Alliance Group's $16 million programme to install innovative heat pump systems at its Otago and Southland processing plants wins a New Zealand Energy Excellence Award after cutting annual emissions by more than 24,000 tonnes of CO₂e.

Chopped Salad Trend Arrives With NZ's Fresh Spring Veges

Bigger, bolder salads packed with colour, crunch and flavour are making headlines overseas — and the arrival of fresh spring vegetables means New Zealanders can now get chopping too, creating their own Great Kiwi Spring Salad.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Domestic Focus

OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided…

A No-Brainer

OPINION: With fuel prices soaring, one would have expected most farmers to be reclaiming excise duty on petrol.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter