REVIEW Images by Lisa Potter
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feed time made easy With the hills of Te Kauwhata starting to show signs of summer dry, Farm Trader NZ’s Willie McKnight headed to a 130-hectare property with a crossbred milker herd of 300, where owner Wilbert Smolders recently added the Abbey VF2000 to his infrastructure
T
he investment in a new mixer wagon was well thought out, with Smolders undertaking plenty of research around the ideal wagon for his specific requirements that, due to autumn calving, requires the use of a dependable mixer wagon pretty much all-year round. Because his calves arrive at what’s often the wettest time of year, it’s essential to the successful operation of his business that he can adjust his feeding routine reliably and accurately to maintain milk production and days in milk. Feeding out is done on the covered feed pad as opposed to in-paddock because of the terrain and soil conditions. It also reduces waste and is better for animal welfare and the environment. To give the stock more space, he feeds around the outside of the pad before the central trough.
THE MACHINE
I’d like to see a slightly longer elevator or a deflect chute added, just to give a bit more reach.
The twin auger Abbey machine of this size is aimed at farmers looking for consistency in their feed, and the VF 2000 allows bales to be added and chopped for an even quality mix. It’s also ideal for farmers wanting dependable performance with minimal maintenance. With a tub capacity of 20 cubic metres, the addition of solid rubber hungry boards allows an additional three cubic metres of space. Smolders frequently feeds out an eight-tonne load, depending on the feed mix and bulk. On the day we visited, it was a smaller three-tonne load to feed the 130-head herd still being milked, with the remainder dried off. It’s worth noting that his production levels, even at this time of year, sit at 1.6 milk solids, part of which he attributes to his accurate feed mix.
THE ELEVATOR The 560mm slat and chain elevator comes as standard (but longer elevators are optional) offering low maintenance and longevity. Roller bearings for the elevator are easily accessible for greasing, and replacements (if required) are readily available as they are a generic bearing. Rubber gussets are placed along the hinge edge of the elevator to prevent feed spillage, and a fold-down flap offers the versatility of helping deflect dusty feed to the elevator if required. Personally, for my own preferences, I’d like to see a slightly longer elevator or a deflect chute added, just to give a bit more reach when coming up alongside feed troughs. However, as an experienced operator, Smolders doesn’t find this a problem. With a discharge height of 800mm (higher than many other models), the risk of hitting the top of feed troughs is minimised and gives added reassurance if a less experienced operator is working the unit. Operation of the feed door, chute and elevator is all controlled from in-cab and works seamlessly at the flick of switch. The same control box also allows adjustment of conveyor speed. At one metre wide, the feed out door to the elevator offers plenty of space to ensure even feeding. The machine comes with a feed door on either side, and at the time of purchase, the customer can choose their preferred side for the elevator to be set up.
CONSTRUCTION One of the first things I noticed was the overall build quality. With my neighbour having a similar Abbey machine, but with two years’ operation under its belt, I’ve noted that the paint job is still pretty much as good as new. The distinctive orange paint is
Looking for a mixer wagon? Search for ‘mixer wagon’ on TradeFarmMachinery.com.au or type the TA or DIY code shown here into the keyword search field
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POA
TA1067602
ABBEY VF2000. Demo Mixer Wagon, 24m³, four weigh bars. • VIC 03 8373 7045
$121,000
TA805925
STRAUTMANN VERTI-MIX 2401-20. New twin auger vertical mixer, 20m³. • QLD 07 3073 8164
$43,670
TA851503
2020 MINOS AGRI TYYKM-6. Horiz Feed Mixer + Dual Elevators 6m³. • VIC 02 6171 3175
THE TRACTOR YOU WANT IS NOW EASIER TO FIND
11/03/2021 3:58:16 PM
