increase font size
The BaleSlice cuts through any film or the net and is held by four, hydraulically-activated hooks mounted high on the rear frame.
There would be many farmers who cringe at the thought of pulling silage wrap off bales on a cold, miserable winter morning.
With bales being a major part of rural New Zealand’s feeding regime, the age-old problem of dealing with wrap and net prior to feeding is still a hurdle, both in terms of mess and safety.
The latest release from feeding specialists Hustler, the BaleSlice, helps deal with this issue.
As the name suggests, it slices four or five foot diameter bales through their centre axis, easing the work of mixer and feed-out wagons and also removing the need for cattle to tear bales placed in ring feeders.
Taking the form of a fork, with a top-mounted cutting mechanism, the latter is mounted to the upper frame. From here it is pushed through the bale by twin 100mm diameter hydraulic rams, travelling through an arc that is designed to pass through the centre of the bale. As the bale slices, any film, or the net beneath, is held by four hydraulically activated hooks mounted high on the rear frame to ensure a minimum of material is held or wasted. The cutting edge is manufactured from HB 500 grade steel for an extended service life.
The machine offers several benefits – including removing the need for operators to leave the cab to remove film and net, and/or to stand under or climb over bales to cut the plastic film. It also helps users to stay clean and dry.
Weighing in at 470kg, the BaleSlice is said to be easy to fit to existing loaders without the need for any additional plumbing or valves. It requires an oil flow of only 25 litres/minute and is supported by a fouryear warranty.
While Nokia is more likely recognised for mobile devices, a major investment of €70m (NZ$126m) by global farm machinery brand AGCO at its facility in Linnavuori, in Nokia, will see the plant establish a new laboratory for testing combustion engines running on alternative fuels, alongside a range of electric solutions, including hybrids, fuel cells and high-voltage battery technology.
Evan Paxton and his family at Riverview Farms, Dargaville, are one of New Zealand’s leading suppliers of kumara.
There can't be many heavy metal fans who haven’t heard of Basildon, situated about 40km east of London and originally created in 1948 to deal with the population boom after the Second World War.
Think of a RAM 1500 or a Chevrolet Silverado and compare them to a Ranger or a Hilux: One is obviously a truck, and the other is a ute.
With effluent management never far from the thoughts of legislators and farmers becoming increasingly aware of the nutrient values of dairy effluent, innovate ideas for the convenient storage and subsequent discharge are always of interest.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…
