increase font size
Multi-4 and 5 bale feeders offer a major leap in productivity if you need to lift and feed 10 or more bales daily.
Brett McIntosh of the Palmerston North-based family agricultural engineering firm McIntosh, says their Multi-4 and 5 bale feeders offer a major leap in productivity if you need to lift and feed 10 or more bales daily.
“While 2-bale machines are particularly common, anyone feeding a large number of bales will know they mean multiple trips back from the paddock to the bale stack to reload and the added inconvenience of being ‘mobbed’ by cattle each time you enter the paddock,” says Brett.
Well known for building machines that incorporate the “must-haves” of strength, ease of use and durability, a closer look at the Multi-4 reveals a machine that features two box sections running through the bale cradle to deliver a low centre of gravity that imparts stability and a wide cradle that means delivered feed is not run over by the trailer wheels.
Designed to carry three bales in the cradle and a fourth on the twinrammed lifting forks, the Multi Feeder is at home lifting and feeding both round and occasional large square bales, carrying the loads on a tandem axle layout. It has a tare weight of 2180kg.
Backing up to a row of bales, bales are lifted on triple spikes, while the fork design ensures bales are placed in the cradle, rather than being dropped from a height.
Once loaded, bales are pushed forward by the rear backstop, before it returns to the start position to accept another bale. A simple diverter valve switches between the rear lifting forks and the bale pusher, meaning only two rear remotes are required to complete three functions. In operation, returning the backstop to its rearmost position serves to re-establish the hydraulic feed to the rear forks.
A clever loading design detail – that Brett McIntosh admits was dreamt up by an Australian dealer – sees rotating teeth on the unloading bars that, when set in the loading position (the yellow unloading bar is stopped at the highest point of the discharge cradle), allow bales to be pushed forward without jamming against the fixed teeth of the discharge cradle, while also delivering a positive movement when unloading.
Offering the ability to feed to either side, the Multi-4 incorporates 3-inch, 12,000lb zincplated roller chains, an 8-tooth sprocket system for better drive and a longer life and a HD hydraulic motor with a 1.25-inch drive shaft.
 |
|---|
|
Brett McIntosh of the Palmerston North-based family agricultural engineering firm McIntosh. |
Setting up for bale loading and feeding, a low overall height of only 1100mm allows operators to remove plastic or net wrap easily, while strategically-placed waste bins to the side and the front of the machine ensure waste is segregated for recycling.
Standard equipment includes a swivel drawbar and 11.5/8-15.3 tyres, while options include a square bale attachment, a trough extension arm, rear lighting kit and oversized or tractor tread tyre equipment.
Having already hit the headlines for recycling broken 2.4 metre vineyard posts into 1.8 and 1.6 metre, half and quarter posts for agriculture, Repost recently hit the milestone of one million posts recycled, diverting the CCA treated posts from landfill.
New Zealand-based company Robotics Plus, a specialist in agricultural automation, has announced an agreement for it to be acquired by Yamaha Motor to form Yamaha Agriculture.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Silage making is both a science and an art, but Claas says it offers onboard technology featured in its Claas Perfect Partners to help farmers make silage more efficiently and effectively.
Since Donald Trump’s import tariff announcement, the world has been on a wild economic ride.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) awards. As part of a series looking at this year’s rural winners, Leo Argent talked with Ginny Dodunski, winner of the Veterinary Impact Award for raising the profile of the Wormwise programme.
Recently two of New Zealand's top Maori sheep and beef farms held field days as part of the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. The two are: Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust, northeast of Whangarei, and the proprietors of Tawapata Onenui farm on Mahia Peninsula in southern Hawke's Bay. Reporter Peter Burke attended both field days.
The New Zealand hemp industry is hoping for quick and comprehensive reform of its legislative framework after a recent "historic" visit to sites in Canterbury by a big group of politicians, officials and industry stakeholders.
Resolving rural sector disputes constructively, fairly and with long-term outcomes in mind will top the agenda at a gathering of experts in Hamilton next month.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
