They say Italians do it better. In this case, the sentiment rings true with the innovations of the Faresin Leader PF2.24 self-propelled feed mixer, says our reviewer Ash Santilla
For Victorian dairy farmers Tim and Jodie Walsh, the introduction of the Faresin Leader PF2.24 self-propelled feed mixer has been a real gamechanger.
The Walshs run a modest herd of 320 Jersey cows on 85 hectares in Tongala, with an additional 25ha for young stock, of which all is under irrigation.
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Efficiency, comfort and accuracy, the Faresin Leader PF2.24 self-propelled feed mixer does it all
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They say the addition of this new unit has meant there’s no need for a separate loader, tractor and mixer wagon to be used when feeding the herd.
“I don’t have to get out of the machine from start of feeding to the end,” Tim says.
The Walshs got their new Faresin Leader PF2.24 from Echuca dealer and servicing agent McKee’s Garage & Engineering.
McKee’s branch manager Dave Frazer and Dave Soderstrom, the business development manager from exclusive Faresin distributor Ahern Australia, consulted with the Walshs to ensure the specifications were tailored to meet their requirements.
They have essentially replaced three implements with one and potentially have more manpower as they estimate it has cut a two-and-a-half-hour operation by a third, running almost 70 per cent faster and more efficiently than the property’s previous setup.
On a dairy operation such as this, it essentially means a day’s worth of work is saved per week and more time to do, let’s face it, probably more jobs.
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Victorian dairy farmers Tim and Jodie Walsh
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Cutting Smart
The Leader 2.24 has an array of technical features designed to make feeding out not only more efficient but user friendly.
In particular, the beauty of the machine’s separate milling head is that feedstuffs are already cut when they enter the mixing tub.
This lessens the work done by the internal augers, meaning less wear and reduced maintenance.
The cutting mechanism delivers a perfect straight edge cut, giving a compact edge to the silage stack.
This means the edge of the silage cut is not prone to moisture and air permeation which diminishes the silage’s quality and ultimately palatability, helping to negate the issues of uneaten product and production loss when feeding out bunkered silage in an outdoor environment.
With regards to the cutters, the solid structure is made of wear-resistant steel, giving it the maximum possible durability over time.
There are three rotation speeds (200, 300 and 350rpm) which lets the operator choose the best solution for the feed stuff to be loaded at any time.
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With four-wheel steering and crab steer, the Faresin is a nimble mover
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Mix Master
Perhaps one of the most impressive features of the machine is its intuitive ability to keep track of feed going into the mixer tub and alert the operator as to exactly what, and how much, has gone in.
The mixed ration calculator can store up to 15 programmable recipes – meaning there can be specific mixes programmed for each class of stock, be it wet cows, young stock, or feeder steers.
The machine automatically knows the volumes of each product and alerts the operator when the recipe is complete.
For example, if there are three different products in the recipe, the machine intuitively regulates the amount of each product entering the mix.
For an inexperienced user, this means an alarm is set off when the pre-programmed volume of any particular material has been reached.
The mixing tub itself is made of high quality S355 steel with 8mm thick walls and a 20mm thick bottom with two vertical mixing augers.
There are some clever features inside the mixing tub such as magnets at the bottom of both augers to ensure that, should metal objects accidentally be mixed in with the feed, they’re ultimately not fed out, which is an important addition from an animal welfare perspective.
A particularly smart option is the side opening hopper for introducing trace elements to the mix at ground level via a horizontal auger, directly into the mixing tub.
This model holds 24 cubic metres of product, with the broader Faresin range offering capacities from 11 to 33 cubic metres.
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With a special side hopper for trace elements, the unit ensures quality feed-outs
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Nimble Mover
This machine’s manoeuvrability should not go unmentioned here.
It offers four-wheel steering – and six wheels on larger models – with the bonus of crab steer. This lets the operator access feed in tight areas like feed bunkers and feeding pens, where space is at a premium.
Equipped with three cameras as standard, and with capacity for more to be retrofitted, the operator can easily see either side of the machine as well as monitoring the feed as it enters the mixing tub.
Clear Comforts
The cabin of the Leader 2.24 is designed around comfort and usability.
The display panel is easy to use, even for a ‘newbie’, and all controls are accessible either by the joystick or the control panel above it.
Glass all around the cabin offers maximum visibility and the screen streaming visuals from all three external cameras means there really is no need to exit the machine from the start to end of feeding.
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The unit is equipped with a Deutz engine, easily accessible from the rear of the machine
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Full Power
This machine is powered by a 6 cylinder 210hp Deutz Stage IIIA diesel engine, a brand known for its reliability and tried and trusted reputation in the field.
It is backed by a hydrostatic transmission which provides smooth and consistent power delivery to all four wheels.
Access to the engine is via a pull-up hood at the rear of the machine, enabling easy servicing of oil and fuel filters without the need for fiddling around hard-to-access areas.
It must also be noted the machine offers real-time diagnostic communication between the operator, the dealer and the manufacturer, to ensure any alerts are discovered before mechanical issues occur.
This is a very handy tool regarding maintenance and upkeep of the machine, which in this case requires very little.
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The cutting mechanism delivers a perfect straight edge cut
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All-Rounder
All said, the Faresin Leader PF2.24 self-propelled feed mixer provides the operator with the most efficient, comfortable, and accurate ability to feed out without even getting out of the machine.
The PF name stands for “Precision Feeding” and the PF2.24 Feed Mixer lives up to its name here.
There is no need for the traditional setup of three machines and guessing how much feed goes into a mix. Simply put, this guy does it all.
Ahern Australia is the exclusive distributor of Faresin products to the Australian market through an established national dealer network.
For more information on the complete line of products please visit Ahern’s website at www.ahernaustralia.com.au
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The joystick and armrest provide easy access to controls
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PF2.24 Feed Mixer |
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Capacity |
24 cubic metres |
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Tare weight |
16,500kg |
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Dimensions (LxWxH) |
10,000mm x 2,470mm x 3,260mm |
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Milling Height |
5,380mm |
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Engine |
Deutz TCD 2012 L06 2V |
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Power |
155kW/210hp |
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Tyres |
385/65 R22.5 |
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Fuel Tank Capacity |
230 litres |
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Maximum Road Speed |
40km/h |
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Other options |
Shedder on milling cutter, automatic greasing system |