Hustler feeders now at Johnston’s

Johnston Farm Equipment of Longford has been appointed as the Republic of Ireland importer for the Hustler SL and SLX range of chain-type round baler feeders.

These New Zealand-built machines are self-loading three-point linkage-mounted chain bale feeders and are claimed to be suitable for feeding out a wide variety of mainly round bales and silage, along with some square bales when using the optional side bars. The entry level SL-350 bale feeder is suitable for farms feeding 50 to 800 bales each year, it is claimed.

The machines are claimed to be easy to use with a single-level feed control. It is claimed that they use the toughest chain on the market and 40mm x 40mm zinc-plated bars. Bars are bolted to the chain in a replaceable system.

The machines are fitted with a tough, plastic-type floor that is non-corrosive. Block bearings are outboard-mounted instead of bushes, which keeps them clean and free of damage.

Agrigear’s award

Agrigear was recently awarded special recognition for its input into the development and testing of the Agrimax tyre at a global BKT tyres event held in Germany.

Agrigear was the first ever customer of BKT for AGRIMAX radial tyres. The very first batch of Agrimax tyres manufactured by BKT was shipped to Ireland to Agrigear in May 2004.

A commemorative plaque was presented to Agrigear founder Fred Clarke by Rajiv Poddar, joint managing director of BKT. BKT general manager Sandesh Jain said: “Fred has been a hands-on professional in the agricultural industry in Ireland and Europe. He has tremendous technical expertise in understanding various tyre patterns and their effect on the field, as well as tyre and machine performance. In 2003, when the tractor radial tyres were being conceptualised at BKT, the knowledge resource of Fred was of great help for our R&D team.”

New director general for AEA

The Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) has appointed Ruth Bailey as its new director general and chief executive officer. She succeeds Roger Lane-Nott, who is retiring after eight years in the post.

Ruth Bailey is the first woman to head up the AEA, representing more than 150 companies involved in the manufacture and import of farm and outdoor power equipment. The association members, with businesses throughout Britain and Ireland, supply close to £4bn of farm and outdoor power equipment, as well as land-based engineering technology to Europe.

Lemken in China

Lemken, the German tillage machinery company, has opened a new factory in China, with incentives from the government to invest in a Chinese facility.

Lemken has been active on the Chinese market since 1995, initially through co-operations with local companies. Lemken established its own distribution company in 2009 and decided to build an assembly plant in 2012.

The new facility currently employs 36 staff in production, sales and administration. The plant is used for the final assembly of cultivators, compact disc harrows and mounted reversible ploughs for the Chinese market, using components manufactured in Alpen, Germany.

This week’s machine of the week on the Irish Farmers Journal’s advertising website www.toplink.ie is this 2008-registration Claas Lexion 580 combine harvester from Kelly’s of Borris. The combine has just 863 drum hours and is fitted with a 25ft Vario header. The combine includes a straw chopper and spreader. Billy Murphy at Kelly’s of Borris (086-2536867) is quoting a price of €142,000 plus VAT for this impressive harvest-ready machine.