Robinson’s staff had had enough of old manually operated crushes, so the business bought the semi-automatic, air lever-controlled iDraft crushes.
“We put big numbers of cattle through the yards but this unit handles them with ease,” Robinson is quoted as saying. “The control panel has made the job a one man operation: we can draft the cattle, squeeze them up, head bail them, mark the calves, and tag and weigh them all at the press of a button or flick of a switch.”
And the farm has the option of upgrading to fully automated iDraft crushes.
Using the full auto system, cattle can be automatically weighed, released from the crush and directed through the appropriate draft or exit gate.
This unit is easily managed by one person with the auto-draft functions set up on a touch screen control unit. It can also be operated remotely via a 10 function hand held radio remote control, says Te Pari principal Jeremy Blampied.
“It is simple to use and well suited to an older farmer given the less physical effort required to operate it. With an eRail EID reader system incorporated into this crush, it really is possible to weigh, record and draft hundreds of animals per hour.”
Blampied says Te Pari’s new iDraft control panel – standard on all models – has precluded some problems often found with cattle crushes. “One of the biggest features is the internal routing of loadbar cables, which keeps them tidily out of the way and completely shields them from activity around the crush. Up to 70% of all problems with weigh scales can be attributed to damaged cables.”
The weigh scale mounting is at eye height, easy to use and read, and no add-ons are required. Other features of the control panel include a storage tray for tools and tags, and a cupboard where air regulators, EID reader control units and batteries can be stored.
A lockable cover goes over the control panel for extra security and protection against the elements.
