New chaser bin on market
FORMER Darkan farmer and qualified heavy vehicle body builder Glen White is diversifying his company, AMG Trailers (AMGT), to produce top-end chaser bins and other trailed farm equipment. It's the result of nearly eight months of research and development.
"I made a detailed analysis of chaser bins currently offered to Australia's farmers and found that when compared to equipment available to their North American and European counterparts, the premium equipment available in Australia was not built to the same specification or output capacity," Glen said.
"As a farmer I understand the stress and strains on machinery under heavy load, particularly shooting across paddocks so the focus has been on designing and building a chaser bin to stand up to the rigours of harvest, including a reliable drive system complemented by an unmatched list of integrated components."
With a volume of 32-34 tonnes of wheat and a high unload speed of under two minutes, AMGT's flagship chaser bin is designed to look after the grain collection chores on any medium to larger farming enterprise.
Coming from a semi-trailer/tipper production base, and with a familiarity with the use of premium Swedish steels, Glen believes the new chaser bin is a step ahead of the local market offering.
The bin incorporates a North American-style PTO drive system which includes a high-spec drive shaft with a cam clutch and over-run clutch and a dedicated Canadian chaser-bin gearbox under the outload auger.
Drive to the bin auger is via an eight row V-belt system with a hydraulic disengage while the bin auger is shuttered to stop the flow of grain to the outload auger.
"The decision to go with an all-mechanical drive system was based on farmer experience because hydraulic drive limits outload capacity where larger augers are used," Glen said.
Glen hasn't missed anything in presenting a strongly-built unit to the market, including components like a greasable thrust bearing under the outload auger to protect the gearbox.
From Glen's point of view, items like the thrust bearing costs little, but can save the bin owner considerable anguish if harvest is halted due to a lesser component failing.
Following the same philosophy, all bearings in the auger system are either oversized, or doubled up, back to back.
You will also find high capacity axle ends, based on K-Hitch off-road hubs which incorporate larger bearing sets, and a custom 4140 grade 120mm (4.8in) stub axle.
"I didn't go for any cheaper alternative parts because to my mind, the bin had to outlast and outperform competitive models," Glen said.
A limited production run at his O'Connor factory for this harvest will morph into full commercial production for the 2017 harvest and Glen is offering the 2016 builds at very competitive prices.
p More information: Glen White on 0428 753 656
Chasing cameras
CENTRAL Wheatbelts Import director Craig Gorfin had a busy time last week.
Apart from fielding inquiries at the Newdegate Machinery Field Days, he was packing 34 camera kits for four chaser manufacturers.
"Most of them wanted to install them on the end of augers or at the rear on the bin for rear vision," Craig said. "They're really catching on now as word of mouth gets around and we've got good supply."
As usual there will be a special deal for Torque readers. You will only have to pay once.
p More information: Craig Gorfin 0417 967 696.
Sensing a market
BURANDO Hill, Katanning, has expanded its weighing solutions division with after-market load sensors.
The Australian-made units are designed for trucks (spring or air suspension), chaser and field bins and weigh bridges and come with an in-cab display with an accuracy of within one per cent.
The display can be hard-wired to the truck trailer, bin or weigh bridge or operated remotely via near-Bluetooth and a transmitter.
More information: 9821 4422.
Lindsay a high flyer
LAKE King farmer Lindsay Atkins last week was named the winner of the annual Plum Grove grower tipping competition at the Newdegate Machinery Field Days.
Lindsay won the grand prize (AFL Grand Final Experience) and picked up the tickets to the game at the Plum Grove stand with his wife Christine.
It's not a bad prize either with a total value of $7500.
The competition was only open to WA growers with a valid CBH number.
Weekly prizes were awarded for the person with the most correct tips (and smallest margin in case of a tie) at the end of each round.
At the start of Round 23, there were four equal leaders and 13 possible winners from that point.
Lindsay came home like a high-flying Cyril Rioli-Eddie Betts combination and you would think is definitely breathing a lot easier after such a tense finish.
But in this merry month of September, it's always a good idea to hold your breath until a certain "Jack" disappears.