Collins Machining & Fabrication’s ‘Power Wheel’ is making the grain handling process safer by eliminating the manual and dangerous task of moving an auger
Lugging an auger or grain mover around is often considered a painful and hazardous task due to the heavy nature of the machinery involved.
These machines can be moving on uneven surfaces, which presents a farmer with the difficult task of placing the machines in and under a silo.
Due to the heavy pushing and lifting that is required as part of this grain handling task, it can be a safety issue that can potentially lead to injury.
Collins Machining & Fabrication has identified this and found a solution.
Based in Corowa, on the New South Wales and Victoria border, the family-owned and operated engineering business has built a reputation with its customers as the ‘home of the Power Wheel’.
Power Wheel
The Power Wheel is a self-propelled electric jockey wheel that takes the pain out of moving an auger or grain mover.
This simple yet effective solution streamlines this task with a press of a button.
“If you’re sick and tired of the back breaking and dangerous task of lugging your auger around the yard, this is the solution,” Collins Machining & Fabrication administration manager Lindsy Rhodes says.
“There’s no manual lifting or pushing required with the Power Wheel.”
Manufactured by Collins, the aftermarket accessory is powered from the auger’s 12-volt battery and uses an electric motor with a chain drive to move the heavy grain handling equipment.
By pressing a button, the auger can move forward or in reverse, and a brake winch provides safe raising and lowering of the machine – making it easier to get under silos.
“Simply drive the auger into position and lower the break winch,” Rhodes says.
“It’s engineered for ease of use and it’s simple retracting design makes for easy towing.”
This also eliminates the manual lifting of hooking up an auger to a vehicle, Rhodes adds.
With a robust design, Rhodes says the Power Wheel is designed for Australian conditions and is built to last.
It’s also highly versatile, as it can be retrofitted to any diameter of auger.
Further increasing farmer safety, the Power Wheel is fitted with a worm drive gearbox to prevent freewheeling.
With orders heading out the door every day, Rhodes says its Power Wheels are available all year round, with constant production to keep up with the demand.
It’s no surprise that some of the Power Wheel’s happy customers have come back to Collins saying things like ‘my back is thanking me every day’ and ‘you’d be silly to move an auger without one’.
“Our team of locals are renowned in the area and look forward to servicing your needs,” Rhodes says.
History
Collins Machining & Fabrication was born in 2023, when the Collins family purchased J Leahy & Co from its original founders.
To ensure the transition period was smooth and uninterrupted, the J Leahy & Co founders provided guidance, with some of the Collins team even completing their fitting and welding apprenticeship with the help of the original founders.
Apart from the Power Wheel, Collins also offers a broad range of welding and fabrication services, with some of its recent work including everything from boat repairs and custom flooring, to semi-trailer divider inserts and repairs.
Its fully equipped workshop has the capacity to provide steel fabrication and machining, stainless steel welding, sheet metal work, mig and tig welding and industrial maintenance.
“Our business is operated by local skilled fabricators who provide custom work tailored to our customers,” Rhodes says.
“Our priority is to work with our customers to create small or large scale projects that ensure customer satisfaction and quality results with every fabrication, welding and repair project.”
The Auger Power Jockey Wheel is available for pick up at Collins Machining & Fabrication, 33 Thiess Rd, Corowa, NSW or it can be shipped Australia-wide.
For more information on the Power Wheel, visit www.collinsmachiningfabrication.com.au or call 02 6033 0277.