Kerfab’s range of locally manufactured attachments are proving to be straightforward while providing solutions to Australian farmers
Getting the job done without any hassle is what every farmer wants from their implements.
For Tony May, from Marley Pastoral in New South Wales, a Kerfab tractor hay fork is doing exactly that.
Based at Bendemeer, north-east of Tamworth, Marley Pastoral breeds Angus cattle and has roughly 100 breeders while operating about 1,000 acres (405 hectares).
Hay handling can often be a thankless task, but one which can easily become a problematic time waster without the perfect equipment.
This was the exact scenario May found himself in before investing in Kerfab’s tractor hay fork.
“It was quite an arduous task loading hay on to the back of the ute and most of the time it wouldn’t lift high enough,” he says.
“Making them balance on the two forks and being safe at the same time was quite arduous as well.
“Now we’ve got this Kerfab product we’ve got no dramas.
“We’ve been using it on the farm moving hay around while we’ve been feeding stock in the little bit of a harder time that we’ve gone through recently, with the dry weather.
“The product does really well. The bale forks now just drive in, push the forks through and pick up and load and away we go.”
Based at Kerang in northern Victoria, Kerfab marked 30 years in operation last year.
It manufactures attachments such as bale forks, pallet forks and buckets and recently invested in a second factory to bolster its production capacity.
Kerfab’s attachments are built locally for Australian conditions and are designed to solve the real-world problems faced on Australian farms.
May’s experience with the tractor hay fork is testament to this.
“One of the best things about the Kerfab spikes that we’ve got is that there’s actually four spikes on the actual implement, which allows us to pick up the big bales without breaking and damaging any bales,” he says.
“The high back allows us to pick up two bales at a time for ease of unloading off semi-trailers when they’re coming in, and getting them in and out as quick as possible.
“What I like most about the Kerfab forks is that it’s a safe product,” he says.
“We don’t have any issues on the farm as far as safety is concerned – it’s accessible, maintenance-free and does its job.
“It’s just an easy product – straight hitch on to the front of the skid steer, lock and away we go – drive in, pick up and drop.”
Kerfab also refers to its tractor hay fork as an ‘ag loader bale fork’ in recognition of its ability to be used with larger front-end loaders and skid steers – which is the machine May has his attached to – in addition to tractors.
It is a versatile and adaptable unit, capable of handling individual or multiple bales regardless of whether they are round or square.
It has an adjustable back frame with both manual and hydraulic options, plus several customisation options to make it perfect for all needs.
The standard size model is available with an adjustable back frame in a range of heights between 1.5m and 2.4m, along with the choice of three, four or five tines. The curved top frame also allows for greater stability with handling multiple bales.
A larger size hay fork is also available, offering back frame heights between 1.8m and 3m with the capacity to lift an additional two bales.
Kerfab’s products are backed up by an extensive national dealer network, which includes May’s nearest supplier – Double R in Tamworth.
“I rang up the boys at Double R chasing a hay fork and they pointed us in the right direction of Kerfab,” May says.
“The product stood out to us because of their recommendation. They’ve used the Kerfab brand previously and we’ve run with what they were suggesting.
“It fitted inside our budget and it’s a good product all round. We have no issues and it’s maintenance free.
“Now we actually know a lot more about the product, we would look to use Kerfab again in the future.”
Kerfab’s factory and head office is at 11 Tate Drive, Kerang and it is backed up by an additional warehouse and staff in the Perth suburb of Canning Vale.
The manufacturer’s full product range and national dealer network can be viewed at www.kerfab.com.au
