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Combine gleaning interest

THE new Gleaner Super 7 Series combines have created much interest and excitement from farmers and contractors since their Australian release back in April. Two new models make up the range, the S77 which delivers 370hp (276kw) and the S67 at 314hp (234kw).

Featured at the release was the aptly named Stealth Gleaner S77 model which takes the same appearance as the black prototype unit that was extensively trialed in various crops and conditions during last year’s North American harvest. The Stealth Gleaner is the only Super 7 Series combine in the country at present and as such has been busy hitting the show circuit across the country for farmers and contractors to see.

“Once we launched the new Gleaner combines, we couldn’t wait to hit the road to show customers just how impressive these new models are,” Gleaner product manager Marcus Paul said.

“There was initially a lot of interest in the new combine thanks to the pre-release via the internet, so there has been great attendance at all the customer and field days once the word got out that we were coming to town.”

The Gleaner road show has to date been featured across Victoria and southern New South Wales and is set to continue across to South Australia and West Australia including the major field days.

“The real excitement is just about to start as we have the new combine shipped up north to Queensland for the start of the harvest where we will commence our demonstrator program and provide customers with the opportunity to see the new Gleaner in action.,” Mr Paul said.

“As we make our way down south, customers will be able to see how we have increased the performance and capacity of the combine without adding to the physical size, weight and complexity. At 14,000kgs, the new Gleaner combines are the lightest class 6 and 7 machines on the market,” explains Marcus.

The first fully Tier IV interim compliant combine on the market, the Super 7 Series is powered by the dependable Agco Sisu Power turbocharged engine featuring AGCO’s exclusive e3 SCR clean air technology. It is more fuel efficient at higher horsepower ratings than previous models with deep power reserves.

Another industry-leading aspect of the new machine is the largest standard 390-bushel (13,743L) power fold grain bin available on the S67 and S77.

Also a first, the Gleaner’s direct flow twoauger unloader design featuring a 12-inch (305 mm) grain bin cross auger that feeds a massive 14-inch (356 mm) unloader auger to deliver an average unloading rate of four bushels per second or 98 seconds for a full bin.

The S7 series combine features a fully welded frame and low center of gravity which help eliminate flex and improve torque distribution to put more power to the ground. This, plus its light weight, contribute significantly to the machine’s agility and maneuverability regardless of field conditions and allow the machine to harvest and clean larger amounts of grain while leaving a lighter footprint across the field.

The Gleaner Super 7 Series also comes standard with a new telemetry based AgCommand performance monitoring system, which will also in use during the demonstration program, allowing owners/managers to ensure that maximum productivity is being achieved even when they are not present in the field.

Keeping with Gleaner’s proven and unique processing and cleaning system, the heart and soul of the machine is its transverse rotor which has now been increased by 20 per cent to 30 inches and offers 360 degrees of surface area for more effective threshing and separating. Positioned transversely instead of axially as in other rotary combines, it allows for what AGCO calls “natural flow feeding”.

The width of the crop mat is maintained throughout the entire crop feeding process to eliminate pinch points and expand throughout capacity before the crop enters the processor.

Delivered at a constant angle to the concave and cylinder, the Natural Flow system pulls rather than pushes material and also eliminates twisting and turning of the crop to constantly feed the threshing rotor, increasing performance and productivity.

For more information on the new Gleaner Super 7 Series combines or the upcoming demonstration program, contact 1800 802 914 or visit www.gleaner.com.au

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Prepare for bumper harvest

WITH the current harvest shaping up to be a bumper, grain storage facilities in most areas will be under stress to accommodate the incoming harvest because many storages still carry large amounts of last year’s crop.

There is a lot of activity within the grain storage industry with large and smaller operations hurriedly attempting to put in grain bunker pads to help alleviate the overall shortage of grain storage.

Grain growers should take their cue from this and be preparing and ready with on-farm bunker storage thus avoiding not only the long delay of receival points but also the strong possibility of the receivals quickly filling to capacity and having no storage for their grain.

Polytex, a well-known tarpaulin producer of grain covers for the grain handling industry is ideally situated to respond quickly to service the requirements of grain dealers and grain farmers alike, with the capacity to produce major amounts of grain storage covers promptly, and being placed close to highways north, south, east and west makes transport arrangements relatively simple.

The current harvest is certain to test out the storage capacity of the grain handling industry and bunker storage of grain will be an ideal way to extend the volume of grain stored either on farm or within the grain industry.

Extra advantages for the grower to store on farm is not only to avoid the receival delays but to be in control of your own investment in the harvest, to this end Polytex tarpaulin can produce a very cost effective bunker cover using fabric that is from the same source as used by the major storage facilities.

You can contact Polytex for a free grain bunker storage chart which gives the bunker pad and cover size needed to cover a particular type and amount of grain. It also gives the specifications and directions to set up a grain bunker.

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The low-cost option

SILO Ventilation Systems are the official distributor of the silo vent and air intake vent (AIV) product range.

Silo vent is a low cost and maintenance free solution to the reduction of internal temperature and humidity levels for silos stored with grain, feed or legumes.

Air intake vents (AIV) are installed near the base of silos and are designed to increase passive airflow throughout the stored commodity improving aeration.

The AIV acts as a sealed chamber for the easy administration of chemical treatments at ground level, improving efficiency and safety. The new AIV-BB features a heavy duty construction with seamless fittings thereby increasing the amount of phosphine tablets that can be added.

This also means that fewer units are required for larger silos. Silo vents and air intake vents can be installed separately but work best when used in conjunction with each other.

Their benefits include reduction of internal silo temperature, stabilisation of grain temperature, reduces humidity and condensation build up in silos, replaces and circulates air inside silos and reduction of optimum breeding condition for insects.

The number of AIVs required depends on the silo’s storage capacity:

Silo ventilation systems products are designed to make grain storage and management safer and easier.

The products are easy to install, environmentally friendly, operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and require no ongoing maintenance.

For more information contact Silo Ventilation Systems at Unit 3, 180 Hammond Avenue, Wagga, or phone 1300 784 904.

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Bartlett regarded as diverse

BALLARAT-based manufacturer CE Bartlett takes enormous pride in their ability to provide quality agricultural products to farming communities nationally.

The Bartlett business has evolved greatly since its establishment in 1956 and today is recognised as a dynamic and diverse manufacturer of Industrial Textile products.

Bartlett fabricates products that protect, preserve and contain valuable commodities from grain in storage to water in channels, tanks or irrigation tubing.

Bartlett commodity covers include grain bunker covers, silage covers, haystack covers and grain transport covers such as roll tarps, hoop tarps and grain bin tarps.

Put simply, if you require a durable protective covering for your valuable commodity, Bartlett has a product to suit your needs.

Each and every Bartlett grain bunker cover is custom made to the customer’s individual bunker size specifications and comes complete with a three-year UV warranty.

Each cover is manufactured from a heavy duty fully waterproof material manufactured specifically for the job.

For further information regarding any of the Bartlett range of products contact toll free 1800 115 440 or visit our website www.bartlett.net.au.

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Experienced operator

AFTER a lifetime in the industry there isn’t much Neil Waite hasn’t seen.

“I was 15 when I first started working for Norman and Heath and can vividly remember the booms and the busts which have happened over the years,” he reflected.

In 1999 Neil decided to go out on his own and establish Waite Wool Trading, which operates out of Albury.

Since then Neil, with the help of manager Tim Sweeney, has continued to branch out into the southern Riverina and northeast Victoria and the company prides itself on having a vastly widespread clientele.

While remaining staunchly independent, Waite Wool has in recent years started dealing a lot with major exported Techwool Trading.

“Straight away we noticed an increase in prices, particularly in the crossbred range and as a result we are very rarely beaten when quoting on clips in the bush,” Neil said.

As well as on-farm and at the door sales, Waite Wool also offers competitive auction sales and sells wool in Melbourne.