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.
The closure of the McCain processing plant and the recent announcement of 300 job losses at Wattie’s underscore the mounting pressure facing New Zealand’s manufacturing sector, Buy NZ Made says.
Specialist agriculture lender Oxbury has entered the New Zealand market, offering livestock finance to farmers.
New research suggests Aotearoa New Zealand farmers are broadly matching phosphorus fertiliser use to the needs of their soils, helping maintain relatively stable nutrient levels across the country’s agricultural land.
Helensville farmers, Donald and Kirsten Watson of Moreland Pastoral, have been named the Auckland Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Marc and Megan Lalich were named 2026 Share Farmers of the Year at last night's Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Industry Awards.
William John Poole, a third year Agribusiness student at Massey University, has been awarded the Dr Warren Parker and Pāmu Scholarship.
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