The Bunning Lowlander Mk4 manure spreader went on show at Henty NSW with claims that it’s capable of handling a variety of different products, Tom Dickson writes.
United Kingdom-based agricultural engineers Bunning in conjunction with Wagga spreader manufacturers Landaco this week held an information and demonstration day at the site of the Henty Field Days to showcase its new range of lowlander Mk4 manure spreaders.
Muck truck, crap cart, poo shooter or perhaps more appropriately known as a manure spreader the Lowlander Mk4 consists of seven new models ranging in size from 6.0 cubic metres up to the largest which is capable of carrying 21.0 cubic metres.
Bunning Sales Manager Chris Druce says the key qualities of the Lowlander are simplicity, durability and reliability.
In my view there’s not much to this machine.
It has full floor width steel slats connected to heavy duty chain creates a walking floor assembly which forces the product up to the two vertical beaters and spinners.
Each chain has a 32 tonne breaking strain. While the beaters and spinners are driven via the tractor PTO the walking floor is hydraulically driven so can easily be reversed in case of blockages.
The Maxispread Spreaders Landaco Equipment Principal Peter Connor has been manufacturing are more suited to granulated fertilizer, lime and gypsum.
He says he was drawn to Bunning as a potential trading partner because he wanted to broaden his product range.
With the Bunning lowlander Mk4 as part of his range, Connor says Landaco will be able to supply machines for all forms of fertiliser application and more.
“The machine is capable of spreading any form of manure. It doesn’t matter if it’s wet or dry or even in a slurry state. If it can be put into the back it can be spread,” Connor says.
“A gate can be hydraulically lowered or raised to control the flow rate of the product to the rear vertical augers and spinners.”
The spreader is aimed at contractors and farmers and because it is able to do a variety of jobs makes it more financially viable.
Chris Druce confirms the Lowlander Mk4 is spreading manure today but it also does lime and gypsum.
“We also see farmers’ using it to spread straw for bedding in calf sheds,” Druce says.
“During harvest it can be used as a wagon for bringing in silage and it can be loaded with feed and used as a feedout wagon.”
There are currently four machines available for immediate delivery and two more will arrive by the end of the year.
Click here to find spreaders for sale.
Photography: Tom Dickson