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Advantage plastics has recently added to its agricultural collection with a clever, cone-bottomed mixing/dissolving tank.
Well-known for its moulded plastic products for a range of industries, South Island-based Advantage plastics has recently added to its agricultural collection with a clever, cone-bottomed mixing/dissolving tank.
Offering an easy solution to dissolving fertilisers – such as ammonium sulphate, urea or micronutrients for easy transfer to a sprayer – the unique configuration answers the problems created by attempting to create premixes with flat-bottomed tanks to speed up spraying logistics.
It features a robust, weather and UV-resistant tank of 3,500-4,000L. This is mounted in a robust galvanised steel frame, with the set set-up said to be the ideal size to accommodate single bulk bags of fertiliser. This allows operators to dissolve 1,200kg of sulphate of ammonia in 2,500L of water in around 15 minutes.
With 2-inch inlet and outlet fittings, with the latter incorporating a bung, the lower cone-shape of the tank creates a vortex as the water is circulated. This helps to quickly dissolve solids that are added.
In practice, a portable pump with a capacity of around 600L/minute is connected to the inlet and outlet fitting of the tank.
Once the required volume of water is placed in the tank, the lower outlet is opened to create a circular flow and the fertiliser is added through the top opening and quickly dissolved.
Said to be easily cleaned, without leaving any solid residues, easy access is gained with twin 450mm openings. Meanwhile, in the off-season the mixer tank can also be used to store grains, meals or other liquids – adding to the versatility of the unit.
“I trialled the new cone-bottomed mixing tank and was really impressed with its functionality,” says Nigel Greenwood of Southbridge.
“Sturdy and well built, the unit is easy to fill, add product to, mix and empty out into the sprayer. It’s easy to clean and certainly looks the part.”
Farm races or laneways are central to moving animals, people and machinery around the farm. In the case of dairy farms, their maintenance is paramount as cows may walk considerable distances two or even three times a day.
With effluent becoming a more important part of farm management, particularly for its value as an alternative to “bagged” fertiliser, it is timely for the Power Farming Group to be introducing the Fliegl range of tankers.
It has been a year of new products and innovation at Numedic, the Rotorua-based manufacturer and exporter of farm dairy effluent equipment.
Australian agricultural equipment distributor, Waringa Distribution, has increased its support to South Island farmers and contractors with the appointment of Brown Agri Solutions at Hororata, near Christchurch, as a sales agent.
John Deere has started the New Year with the release of JDLink Boost, using a satellite connectivity solution to ensure customers continue seamless work in fields with little to no cellular coverage.
Reducing nitrogen inputs does not necessarily mean reducing profits, says DairyNZ principal scientist Ina Pinxterhuis.
Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick says farmers are prepared for winter grazing every year.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) is launching a new round of grants to support projects aimed at enhancing dairy farming sustainability via the a2 Farm Sustainability Fund.
DairyNZ is inviting applications for an associate director position.
Dairy's superpowers are lifting their game on proving greenhouse gas credentials.
Taupo-based low-carbon dairy company Miraka has its sights set on using 100% renewable energy in the next decade.
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