Put a heavy diesel mechanic and an engineer together and the bet is something big will result.
Which is the case with mechanic Luke Sproule and engineer Matt Waugh.
The Perth-based pair launched their new business, DCR (Deep Clay Ripping), at last week’s Southern Dirt Techspo 2017 in Katanning.
They attracted plenty of interest with their DCR machine, a Caterpillar D9 dozer linked to a three tine industrial ripper, with slip ploughs attached to the outer tines.
It’s designed for ripping clay-based soils and bringing the clay to the surface, via the Matt-designed slip ploughs, which are chained to the two outer tines.
The middle tine is reserved for only shattering the soil.
Luke and Matt, who obviously love diesel, trialled the DCR during the two-day event, successfully digging to a depth of 1100 millimetres (44 inches) and bringing up clay.
The dozer and ripper will be available on a hire basis and the pair believe a lot of farmers will be interested in using the machine to reach clay they previously haven’t been able to access.
The dozer features a 25 litre six cylinder Cat engine developing 2711NM and the unit weighs 65 tonnes.
As Matt says: “You need torque and weight for traction.”
Ken Wilson
Farm Weekly's machinery writer.
Farm Weekly's machinery writer.
