New elevators will allow incoming feed mixers in the Abbey Machinery range to better deliver into cattle and sheep feeders, its local distributor says
Abbey Machinery is moving into 2022 with a series of new innovations added to its single- and twin auger vertical mixer range.
Established in 1947, Abbey is Ireland’s oldest agricultural machinery manufacturer, producing an extensive range of feed mixers, from single auger units with a seven cubic metre capacity, to the 33 cubic metre capacity three-auger Tri-Auger VF3350.
For Australia, Abbey’s local distributor Farmgard focuses on the single auger VF 1250 – with a capacity of 12 cubic metres, and the VF2000 twin auger unit with a 20 cubic metre capacity, although a rubber extension takes it to 24 cubic metres.
Farmgard’s general manager – sales and marketing Luke Rowney says a new unit, the 15 cubic metre VF1500, will join Farmgard’s standard range in the first quarter of 2022.
The VF1500 is a low profile, twin-auger machine providing a lower loading height without compromise to the mix quality, he says.
Rowney says that there is much else to come the company’s way, such as the addition of new elevators of 3m-plus for unloading into feeder bins.
“The long elevator is designed to have a low unloading height so it can get to both sheep feeders and cattle feeders,” he says.
Previously, the PVC elevators Farmgard requested Abbey use for the Australian market were 750mm long on the single auger unit and 1.2m long on the tandem unit, though extensions were available at the time and are still available in the expanded range.
Rowney says that won’t be the only change on the new units. The VF2000 will be moving onto a tandem axle with brakes as standard, with the option of suspension.
“High flotation super single tyres on tandem axles with brakes will be standard next year, along with in-cab electronic control with beltspeed adjustment, and the addition of a commodity hopper – that is all on its way,” he says.
Both units available Down Under are built with Hardox 20mm-thick floor plates and 8mm-thick rolled steel side walls in a unique tub design that Abbey says allows the product to mix thoroughly.
All models feature unique low profile augers with flighting 15mm thick to process more efficiently and thus reduce horsepower needs, increase stability and allow for better processing of lighter materials such as hay.
Abbey also uses a Digi-Star weighing system with four weigh cells utilising Digi-Star’s 2810 display with multi-function capability, which is downloadable for the easy transfer of data as required.
Quality components are used throughout the build process, right down to the Comer planetary transmissions, which help give the Abbey product a longer working life, Farmgard says