MACHINERY AND TRACTOR Looking for a safer means of emptying lagoons while boosting output, one contractor has opted for the Walrus pumping unit from Wox Agri Services. Geoff Ashcroft reports.
Pumping unit helps keep people out the danger zone
T
he task of pumping slurry from a wide variety of towers and lagoons is one that has continued to challenge Totnes, Devon-based Millman Contractors. But a breakthrough development in pumping systems by Wox
Agri Services has created a safer and more efficient solution that has improved productivity for the family-run general contracting business. “We apply about 120-130,000 cubes each year, on a wide variety of farms around south Devon,” ex-
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The built-in jetter affords powerful tank and lagoon stirring.
plains Paul Millman, who spends the winter months at the helm of a Fendt 724 carrying a 12m dribble bar and double hose reels. “In between maize harvesting and maize planting, I apply slurry using the dribble bar,” he says. “That time in the cab gives you a lot of opportunity to think about how you can improve what you are doing. It is fair to say that the changes we have recently made have doubled our output.” Most slurry pumping is for dairy customers, but with fewer and fewer herds in the area, the business is now travelling further afield. And this is an aspect that makes it all the more important to be self-sufficient and with enough kit to meet almost any on-farm slurry pumping requirement. “What we have found is that lagoons and below-ground stores present a much greater challenge than above-ground stores,” he says. “The prospect of standing on the
bank of a lagoon, attempting to man-handle at least 12m of suction hose into a pit, is not the safest way of working. “It is a job that nobody wants to do, but it is an integral part of the process for pumping slurry.”
High-capacity The answer he was looking for came in the guise of Wox Agri Services’ latest tractor-mounted pumping station, the Walrus. Launched at this year’s LAMMA Show, this high-capacity, pto-driven set has several innovative features to meet the needs of draghose contractors. “Geoffrey Wox came to visit us last autumn with drawings of his latest pumping unit and I really liked the idea of the 9m, hydraulic folding feeder arm,” says Mr Millman. “I could see how this was going to change the way we operate. “We can also attach a further 5m of suction hose on the end of the
It is fair to say that the changes we have recently made have doubled our output PAUL MILLMAN FGinsight.com
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