A ‘supreme’ test of machine reliability

Run it for 10 months of the year and work it an average five to six hours a day for mixing and feeding-out.

It’s what Elgin dairy farmer Darren Merritt, Elgin Dairies, does as a matter of course, to maintain a healthy herd of 800 milkers.

Each year, about 100 B-trains deliver oaten hay, to be mixed with 1500 silage square bales, produced on the property, along with 2000 tonnes of pit silage.

The ration proper is oaten hay, grass silage, maize, brewer’s, or spent grain and crushed lupins.

The mixer is a Supreme 1200T (32 cubic metre capacity), which Darren bought from Bunbury Machinery 18 months ago, his fourth purchase of a Supreme model in 20 years.

“We started with the 600 model then progressed to the 900T twice and now we’ve got this 1200T,” Darren said.

But reliability is only part of the reason for sticking with Supreme.

“It’s the integrity of the mix,” Darren said.

“It’s essential we get a good even mix to feed-out because it goes without saying that an even ration is pivotal to milk production.

“We’ve never had major dramas with these mixers which is why we like them, because it’s going every day before we shut it down in September and October when the herd can feed on the spring flush.

“And it’s very low maintenance just checking the blades, tensioning the conveyor belt and chains and general greasing.

“Mentally it’s one less worry to have.”

The heart of the mixer, which is operated off a tractor PTO, are two free-standing vertical cutting augers fitted with 10 heavy duty bissaloy steel replaceable blades, which can be engaged at 540 PTO rpm or 1000rpm.

The tub, fabricated with 6mm (1/4in) AR200 steel, is designed with sloped walls so feed easily drops from the auger top to the floor of the tub, with no dead spots or hang-ups in the tub.

The vertical augers, with uniformly wide flighting, mix the ration at adjustable speeds up to 45rpm, carrying more product up through the centre of the auger before it drops down again.

According to Supreme, this design enhances mixing, unlike conventional Christmas tree-shaped augers which allow most of the feed to fall off before it’s properly mixed.

The basic chassis, drive line and self-load mechanism come from Italy. The tub, augers and planetaries are designed and built by Supreme in Alberta.

In feed-out mode, a side chute with conveyor can provide variable feed-out, trailing on the ground, into bunkers or troughs.

A rear optional facility is available for spreading.