WHATSONMARKETFOR SHEARINGKIT
WHATSONMARKETFOR SHEARINGKIT
Whether it is preparing lambing ewes for winter housing or removing
fleeces in the midst of hot summer days, shearing demands robust,
effective and reliable equipment. Mervyn Bailey outlines what is
available and gives a run down on new products
FOOT-AND-MOUTH movement restrictions, combined with an absence of Australian and New Zealand contractors, forced many sheep producers to re-organise their shearing programme last year.
Apart from having to brush up rusty shearing skills, they also had to tackle the unenviable task of penning and shearing sheep outdoors rather than in the confines of a convenient shed.
Manufacturers reported unprecedented sales of shearing kit powered by a 12-volt vehicle battery to producers having to shear away from mains electricity supply. Happily, despite a preference for mains powered kit among professional shearers, there is still a good choice of overhead systems powered by a battery.
W & M Horner, based at Clitheroe, Lancs, specialises in such machines and has two models – the 2.8 (2800rpm) and the higher performance 3.2 (3200rpm). The company reckons battery power will give good performance. It reports one user shearing 372 sheep with two machines simultaneously powered off a car battery before it went flat.
For users who already have a 12v machine but want to use mains supply when in farm buildings, the newly introduced Longhorn transformer can be used to convert 240v to 12v DC.
Listers 12v overhead unit is called the Nova. This is a single speed machine – normally 3200rpm depending on load and battery condition – with flexible drive to the handpiece.
For the smaller flock owner, motor-in-handpiece shears offer a cheaper alternative to the overhead motor design. These have the added versatility over simple electric clippers of being able to work with both shearing and clipping cutters and combs. However, they are heavier and a little more cumbersome than handpieces powered by a separate motor.
The Hauptner 2000, Heiniger Shattle, Liscop Mustang and Lister Laser are available in 12v battery or mains-powered versions.
Among mainstream mains-powered shearing systems, recent developments include the spline or worm coupling for handsets and use of double or triple bearing assemblies for the cutter drive mechanism.
Spline drive, which can only be used with solid or rigid drive shafts, replaces the more common pin configuration which connects with a push and turn movement similar to fitting a light bulb.
It should reduce the likelihood of damage to the cutter and comb because drive is quickly disconnected should the cutter become blocked or locked up on contact with a piece of wire or other foreign object. Australian health and safety authorities believe it is safer for the operator for much the same reason.
Traditional handsets, that submerge the internal workings in oil to prevent heat build up, are progressively being replaced by more sophisticated multi-bearing designs. These run more smoothly with less vibration and lower torque requirement and are reckoned to be quieter, too. They also need less regular maintenance, say manufacturers.
Multi-bearing mechanicals and the worm or spline drive coupling feature in three new handpieces.
The Lister Focus is a double bearing handpiece with a slim barrel and flocked grip. It is available with original pin coupling for flexible and solid drive systems, or spline drive for rigid shaft drive from an overhead motor.
Heinigers Icon uses a triple bearing system with a double row of angular bearings. Added to tighter fitting cog teeth, this produces a smoother running handset, says Heiniger, while the precision comb bed is said to reduce comb lift or springing.
The Supershear Regal Gun from Sunbeam also has a triple bearing system and is claimed to have reduced back-end noise and heat build-up as a result of the latest cog design. It is available with spline or traditional pin-type drive coupling.
Sunbeam and Lister have introduced new cutters and combs. Sunbeams Supershear Marathon comb range goes from the right-handed Mighty Nova (88mm wide with a 5mm bevel) to the Magnum 44 (97mm wide, 3mm bevel). Left-hand versions are the Majestic and Mighty Flight, both of which are 93mm wide but with a 6mm or 3mm bevel.
Two cutters have been added to the Lister Millennium range -the XR4 and XK4. The XR4 is described as a full thickness conventional cutter with a wide throw, while the XK4 is a new design cutter with straight gullets.
A consistent medium wall thickness for the XK4 design improves cutting ability and makes blade grinding easier, says Lister, adding that it is best used with the Protector cover comb or any nine-tooth cover comb for best results. *
Right: Sunbeams triple bearing Supershear Regal Gun handpiece, from Ritchey Tagg, is reckoned to run quieter and smoother than predecessors.
Left: Listers Focus handpiece is the companys first double bearing design since it pioneered the idea with the Concord in the early 90s. The new design has a slim barrel to the handpiece with a flocked material grip.
Right: Motor-in-handpiece shears, like the Liscop Mustang from Eddie Palin Distribution, offer a cheaper, if slightly more cumbersome, alternative to overhead motor designs, especially for those with a small number of sheep to shear.