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.
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.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.
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