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 it wouldn’t be unfair to call the LDV T60 “the poor man’s ute”, a change of distributor in 2023 has seen the brand raise its profile, while the recent arrival of the new LDV T60 Max Plus, will undoubtedly open the door to a wider audience for the brand.
Ag and Civil Machinery Direct, a division of Hamilton- based Waikato tractors, has recently been awarded the sole distribution in New Zealand for Kemper’s range of precision forage equipment.
While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets, intellectual property and staff of the French manufacturer have been acquired by a new organisation called Agriculture Nouvelle Génération.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
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.
The annual Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival – a fusion of books and storytelling - celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Emissions by dairy cattle decreased by 1.6% according to the latest NZ Greenhouse Gas Inventory report.
Tasman sharemilkers Warric and Rachel Johnson haven't let the 2006 milk payout crash put them out of business.
Labour's agriculture spokesperson says the Government’s decisions are set to hamstring growth within the farming sector.
A recent clinical study has highlighted the potential for a bioactive whey protein to support immune responses to influenza vaccinations.
Many contract milkers in badly drought affected regions around the country are coming under severe financial stress and farm owners are being urged to help them through a bad patch until the start of the new season.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.
