They say the simple things are often the best, and that’s the case with this year’s Henty Machiney Field days’ Machine of the Year winner.
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The Next F Series V-Rake, developed by South Australian manufacturer Schinckel Hayrakes, impressed the five-member judging panel with its ease of use and simplicity.
The Australian-made rake’s self-opening wings reduce the heavy lifting and the arms can be set across a range of 4.2m to 9.1m wide for V raking of hay.
“We were impressed with its simplicity,” judging panel spokesperson Warren Scheetz said.
“It’s just getting back to a simpler machine, which gets the costs down and keeps it safe and easy to use for the operator.
“You don’t actually need a tractor to use it, you can use it behind a ute and the hand controls are very simple and easy.
“Previous rakes you have to lift the heavy arms to fold it and struggling to get the pin holes lined up, especially if you’re in a paddock with furrows.
We were impressed with its simplicity. It’s just getting back to a simpler machine, which gets the costs down and keeps it safe and easy to use
- Warren Scheetz, judging panel spokesperson
“It was a struggle when you’re on your own.
“This simplifies all that.”
Manufacturer Simon Schinckel spent two years fine tuning the design, which had its first showing at the Wimmera Field days in March.
“This field days, Henty Machinery Field Days, would be the most superior field day in Australia,” Mr Schinckel said during the award announcement.
“It is very well organised, that all goes down to Ross and the committee, they do an exceptionally good job here.
“There’s always a good crowd and always a very good display of machinery.
“It’s a credit to all the exhibitors, whether they’re selling raincoats, ice cream or million dollar tractors or harvesters … they come from everywhere to come to this field day.”
A post straightener, developed by central west NSW mates Daryl Irving and Dan Robinson was awarded highly commended by the judges.
The Mudgee invention uses a small amount of energy to recycle old, twisted steel posts.
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