Richard has been farming for about 20 years in the region. The Waikato region had the largest share of dairy cows in New Zealandnat 22.4%. Indeed, the Waikato climate which tends to have warm, humid summers and mild winters is particularly suited for dairy farming with a good average grass growth rate.

Richard’s 220 dairy cows are milked on a once-a-day (OAD) system. This milking regime relatively common in New Zealand, used either as the overall farming system or tactically as a short-term response to adverse seasonal conditions.

Richard has owned another brand of bale feeder in the past, but there were a lot of moving parts and he broke the chain several times. He got tired of having to spend time in the workshop or at his dealer’s to fix the machine. So, he recently bought a Unrolla LM105 mounted bale feeder from his local Hustler dealer, Power Farming Morrinsville.

“I changed to Hustler because my other bale feeder had a lot more moving parts and would break chains fairly frequently.”

Richard has already adopted his new Hustler bale feeder, which was very easy to get to grips with. He is delighted with it, noting that it is robust and has far fewer moving parts. Richard only needs to grease the four nipples of the self-aligning, fully sealed block bearings to maintain his machine.

“The Hustler brand seems to have a lot less moving parts, (and) just seems very robust.”

Richard particularly likes the time-savers that come as standard on the machine. For instance, the unequal length tynes are a handy feature for quick and easy alignment when reconnecting the cradle, even on uneven ground.

“It just makes it so much easier to back the tractor and to hook up the buggy part of the bale feeder,”

Richard explained.

“Previously, I used to have to come on on a bit of an angle with my old bale feeder that forks were the same length.”

With a 100% hydraulic system, there’s not much that can go wrong with this unrollabale feeder. Moreover, the drive system is very simple: the hydraulic motor is located on the headstock and drives a pin that connects to the drive shaft when reconnecting the cradle to the headstock.

Investing in a Hustler bale feeder was also about additional peace of mind for Richard. It is a machine with a very robust chassis that is built to last.

The Unrolla range all come with strong 40 x 40 mm feed bars and zinc-plated chains rated to 24,000lbs. Not to mention the single piece fully enclosed floor in polyethylene, it’s non-corrosive, impervious to UV and very shock resistant.

“I would definitely recommend the Hustler LM105 bale feeder to any other dairy farmer.”

Source: Hustler 

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Mark is thrilled to have chosen a Hustler Applic8r mounted boom sprayer a few months ago and thinks it’s a “wonderful machine”. Mark farms on 5,500 effective hectares with about 46,000 stock units comprised of sheep, cattle and deer.

Mark was looking for a versatile and compact mounted boom sprayer that would handle a large variety of applications, from fertiliser to herbicide and insecticide on both crops and grass paddocks. He explains that with the Hustler Applic8r LX1150,

“we can use it all through this machine. All around, it’s just a good machine to use, for everything.”

The Hustler sprayer range is ideal for livestock farmers or crop farmers willing to use a sprayer in tight paddocks and small to medium size areas, especially on rough terrain or rolling hill country. Mark chose to equip his sprayer with a Hustler SonicBoom which is hydraulicly folded as

“you don’t have to get out and fold anything away,”

Mark said.

Some other time-savers make the Applic8r very easy to use according to Mark, such as the handy storage container on the side of the main tank or the extra freshwater tank.

For Mark, one of the key benefits is the GPS guidance unit he decided to add to his sprayer configuration.

“You can outline your paddock where you go it’ll paint the paddock for you, if you overlap or anything, that part of the boom is shut off itself automatically,”

Mark detailed.

Hustler Applic8r sprayer helped Mark to “save on chemical” and to get the perfect application for his operation.

“Hustler is a wonderful product, well made, the backup service and the people at the factory are just wonderful to deal with.”

Before buying his Hustler sprayer, Mark has done his homework, asking fellow farmers. Mark has received good feedback about the brand, whether it is the sprayers or other machines manufactured by Hustler. Several neighbours in the district own a Hustler product and they “can’t fault them” while “the backup service is really good”.

“All around, it’s just a good machine to use, for everything.”

As Hustler Equipment head office is based some 45 minutes away from Oheniwairua Station, Mark was also happy to support a local company with a good reputation.

Source: Hustler

The post [Job Story] Hustler Boom Sprayer in Action on a New Zealand Farm appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Kent Smith, a Missouri farmer and hardwood flooring businessman, recently purchased one of the very first all-new Hustler’s Combi RX multi-feeder wagons operating in the United States. Strongly built and versatile, this is the machine Kent was looking for to feed his cattle.

The story of Kent Smith starts with his grandfather, Jack Smith, who grew up in the little town of Eminence. Jack Smith was working as a logger and tie hacker in southern Missouri and, according to Kent, “he didn’t have two pennies to rub together.” In 1947, he founded Smith Flooring, a company now in its third generation of family ownership.

The timber business is “what drives everything” in the Ozark Forest area, but the family decided to “purpose some of that land for growing cattle,” Kent explained. Kent is now fully in charge of the beef cattle operation since his father, Van Smith, passed away suddenly in 2005.

Since then, Kent has fully embraced his life as a farmer.

“I feel like I’ve taken off about 10 years of my life sitting in an office wondering about numbers and money, and it’s really nice to be able to get out here where it’s just so beautiful, and walking around the calves every day – out here, outside, is a good one,”

Kent admitted.

Although livestock farming and timber harvesting are very different industries, they complement one another, especially in that they share a primary industry asset – land. And,

“anything you can do to increase efficiency, to maximize your return on any investment that you have out there on the land, is a positive thing. The Combi wagon that we have is amazing,”

Kent explained.

Kent Smith farms in rugged country, and Kent chose to breed beef cattle that are hardy enough for the area (such as White Faces and Black Baldys). To feed his herd, he needed a versatile piece of equipment – something that would “feed most anything that I have.”

He found the perfect match: the Hustler Combi RX148.

The Hustler Combi RX range is a chain-less rear floor wagon able to feed out literally every supplementary type of feed, including all bale types, shapes and sizes, and any type of loose feed that can be loaded with a loader including fine chop silage, maize silage, root crops, vegetables and more. Its lateral elevator design delivers feed out of the side of the machine to feed into troughs, feed pads, bunks or open pastures.

The loading height of a wagon is often a crucial element since it could narrow the selection of machines that could load into it without damaging the sides of the wagon. With the Hustler Combi RX range, it is possible to use pretty much any front loader of any type (bucket, grab…) to fill it thanks to its low loading height – between 2430 mm (95 inches) and 2650 mm (104 inches) – depending on the model chosen.

Once loaded, the Combi wagon is quick and easy to reconnect (no need to connect a PTO), however of course you could load with an extra loader like you would need to when feeding with a TMR (this simplicity allows for efficient use with just one tractor). The operator only needs to get out of the cab twice in total, meaning 66% less cab entry and exit compared to any other 2 or 6 bale capacity bale processor. Whilst similar cab exit/entry is required when feeding with a TMR, both a tractor and a loader are required to do the job.

Once the bale wrap is removed, the hydraulics only need to be reconnected once, which takes only a few seconds.

The Combi wagons developed by Hustler are built to last.

Feed out in the field and on the feed pad with one wagon

The ultra-low center of gravity, combined with the large floatation tires, are a game-changer for stability allowing the Combi RX wagon to feed out in the roughest of terrain, the terrain you wouldn’t dare take a mixer wagon on! And Combi RX finds itself just as at home in the field as the feed pad, with a large tilting elevator to place that feed exactly where you’d like it.

Simple hydraulic drive – with out the need to a PTO shaft!

Yes, the simple design of Hustler’s Combi range is powered by hydraulics for safety, reliability, and lower power consumption. And with the oversized 12,000 lb. roller chains to the high tensile sprockets, there are no wearing parts to buy or replace for the life of the feeder! And it handles all types of feeds including balage, silage, root crops or anything else you can load in it. The powerful hydraulic ram-powered pusher blade ensures even the ugliest of bales are no contest!

Massive drawbar clearance

The drawbar design offers great clearance and a major advantage (far superior to any wide-angle PTO shaft) in maneuverability, making life easier for operators in tight lanes and gateways. This reduces the possibility of damaged gate posts or machines due to operator error. Kent Smith’s Combi RX148 has a turning circle of 7.8 m (25 ft) compared to 20.8 m (68 ft) for the equivalent size wagon.

Impact-resistant floor

The unique heavy-duty 15-mm (3/5″) thick puck board rear floor is slippery, durable and extremely tough, it handles the impact of heavy beets landing on it without damage.

Recently Kent Smith found himself sliding backward down an icy hill, jack-knifing his Combi wagon. Thinking it was going to be out of service for weeks, turned into a $10 trip to the store thanks to Hustler’s design and strength.

“This thing is built like a tank,”

he said.

Source: Hustler 

The post [Job Story] Hustler Combi RX Multi Feeder Wagon in Action on a Missouri Farm appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

He chose a Hustler Applic8r LX1150 mounted boom sprayer which he was able to fully customise to his needs. Watch the video to see why Brett is thrilled with his new Hustler sprayer!

Brett’s dairy farm, located near the village of Parakao in the Whangarei District and Northland Region of New Zealand’s North Island, extends over 412 hectares, with 311 hectares dedicated to the milking operation. With its subtropical climate, Northland offers a key competitive advantage for its agricultural sector. The region produces about 116,000 tonnes of dairy products each year.

With 820 milking cows and most of the maize silage produced on-farm, Brett can’t do without an effective sprayer for his crops. In the past, he had a Hustler Kapito sprayer but it was unfortunately involved in the fire. Both tractor and sprayer burned, “there was no other choice” except to buy a new one. As Brett was happy with the previous sprayer he used for eight to nine years without any issues, he decided to buy a brand-new Hustler. As a bonus, the new sprayer was also well positioned in terms of price.

“The old one was very reliable. It never gave any problems at all.”

Because every farmer and farm is different, Hustler offers a range of mounted boom sprayers that can be fully customized to suit your particular needs. This was a key feature that Brett particularly liked.

“We have a Hustler Applic8r LX1150. Hustler customised that for us.”

For his new sprayer, Brett chose the Applic8r LX1150 with a fully hydraulic SonicBoom to not waste time going in and out of the paddocks. This model comes standard with a handwashing tank, a built-in toolbox, the ViziGauge view, the adjustable MixMax agitation system, a QuickFlush flushing tank for easy cleaning, and all sorts of time-saver features.

“There is a very easy drain plug, it’s just a little pull cord at the back, which is brilliant!”

Brett chose to customise his sprayer with a handy storage box where he can put his chemical containers. He also set up the boom with 380-millimetre centers and triple nozzle bodies in order to cover various types of applications from herbicide to fertilisers. When needing to spray maize raws, at 760 millimetres apart, Brett just has to turn every second nozzle body off to get the perfect post-emergent spray!

Beyond that, Brett appreciates how Hustler sprayers are built to last and well thought-out. With a smart chassis/tank/pump integration, Hustler produces a tough and compact sprayer.

The built-in SkidPlate protects the vital parts of the machine from common obstacles faced when spraying. With this design, Brett doesn’t need to park his spray unit on a pallet and it’s “the best thing,” according to Brett. With

“the stand at the back, so you’ve got a heavy boom you can take it off and it’s got two stands that sit out, so it doesn’t try and fall over backward,”

Brett detailed.

Some improvements have been made since the Katipo sprayer generation, Brett noticed that

“the controller is a lot easier and more logical to use as well.”

The spray controller can be linked to an existing or new GPS tracking unit, including a customisable in-job layout.

Using a GPS system helps to rationalise the use of fertilisers and chemicals, ensuring targeted distribution while avoiding overlap or empty areas – meaning a consequent reduction in costs and operator fatigue. The sprayer GPS system can run and manage other ISOBUS implements, which is handy when the tractor is already equipped with a GPS like Brett’s tractor. However, if your tractor is not already equipped, Hustler partnered with Raven technology to offer the plug-and-play Raven CR7 GPS.

“I definitely recommend this machine, it’s brilliant, easy-to-use, good price, well-constructed, durable and they’ll customise it to what you want.”

Source: Hustler

The post [Job Story] Hustler Applic8r LX1150 Sprayer: The choice for a New Zealand Farmer appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

12 Advantages of the Snaplox Hand-Free Connection System:

1. No need to pull on a rope, whilst simultaneously juggling the 3 point linkage lift height and reverser
2. No more strain or twisting of your back
3. No hydraulics
4. No need to pull on a hydraulic lever to disconnect
5. No need to remember to reset a hydraulic lever to enable it to lock again
6. No wasted time plugging in extra hydraulic remotes
7. No need to wait for hydraulics when disconnecting
8. No smashed rear windows
9. No accidental disconnection
10. No twisting of the frame
11. Works on front-end-loaders opening up a huge efficiency and versatility advantage
12. Just simple reliable, a mechanical action that is seamless and fool-proof and operates naturally

Dual Latch System

The SnapLox feature has a dual latch system with one latch on either side of the machine for added durability. This will stop the machine from twisting when with oversize loads where additional strength is needed for maximum operator safety.

Increased Versatility

The introduction of our SnapLox system means opening up options for front end loader, telehandler, and compact loader use. Being able to attach the feeder to the front of your tractor or loader gives the ability to feed over fences, in hay racks on feed pads, and more, for more versatility and time savings.

Source: HustlerEquipment

The post Hustler Explains How the Snaplox Unrolla Bale Loaders Work appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The farming industry never stops moving and evolving. Make sure you’re equipped for tomorrow’s challenges.

The Hustler Combi RX Multi Feeder Range is the result of more than 43 years of leadership in both the multi feeder market combined with over 59 years of market leadership in bale feeders, summed up in ONE machine.

Let’s have a look at WHY the RX Range is like nothing you’ve seen before and how you can benefit from owning Hustler Combi RX

1. By owning one machine that does it all, the need for farmers to own and train staff on multiple specialty feeders is eliminated.
2. Superior load optimization reduces trips to the field combined with even better maneuverability saves on tractor and labor costs.
3. New materials and components cut up to 10hrs of maintenance each month compared to other wagons
4.  4. Feeds anything you load on it
   1. Round & Square bales of any feed type
   2. Long & short cut silage of any feed type
   3. Maize or Corn silage and PKE
   4. Root crops, food waste, and much more
5. New puck board floor design can take the impact of loading heavy loads and root crops without denting or damaging the floors.
6. Massive oversize feeding bars and huge 12,000lb roller chains prevent bent bars or broken chains preventing downtime and costly repairs
7. Feed control as standard: gives the operator the best of both – silage wagon and bale feeder at the flick of a switch. Select between automated feed sequences or manually control each floor individually for total machine control
8. Maximum Visibility with see-through elevator retainers and full front-to-back look through design. Ease of use is next-level thanks to the improvement in visibility
9. No spillage between floors and elevator when feeding on a feedlot or feed pad
10. No more labor intensive unblocking, skipping belts, or frequent maintenance adjustments.
11. Hydraulic cylinder powered rear pusher door eliminates a full set of rear floor chains, bars, gearboxes, and the maintenance and wear and tear that comes with them. The 2-speed rams are internally ported to eliminate hoses, and maintenance
12. Low loading height and great visibility make loading a breeze be it bales, silage, or any other product

Source: Hustler Equipment

The post Hustler Equipment Presents the New Combi RX Multi Feeder Range appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

The new side chute attachment extends the feed drop point of your Unrolla chain bale feeder and will assist with feeding into troughs, bunks, along hot-wires, or up against head-bails for indoor feeding. Not only is it a time and feed waste saver, but it also allows your tractor to drive down passageways or along fences and bunks with more clearance, reducing the chance of damage to your tractor or tires.

Why

Farmers are a solution-focused bunch and because this is the first attachment of its kind on the market, some of them had to previously make their own side extensions. Hustler contacted a handful of those inventors and worked together with them to develop a solution, that would satisfy the need for trough feeding with a conventional chain bale feeder.

How

The side chute has an adjustable angle for the operator to fine-tune delivery and reach. Equipped with a solid steel frame and impact-resistant high-density polyethylene it is shock and knock-resistant, while also being flexible enough to forgive any misjudgments when driving along bunks or fences too close.

For

Although the side chute will work for balage with some operator adjustments, Hustler does recommend you use it for dry hay, short chopped grass, grain, and root-crops for best results. Feeders especially designed and developed for trough feeding are the brand’s series of Chainless bale feeders, which will handle every type and shape of the bale, or its Feedlot Unrolla LM105T with tilting side elevator for maximum reach.

Source: Hustler

The post Hustler Released the New Side Chute Attachment for Chain Bale Feeders appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

With the help of a Hustler Chainless mounted bale unroller he can still easily feed his cattle from the comfort of his tractor seat, without having to jump in and out of the cab frequently or pulling a rope to disconnect the feeder.

“There are only two flat spots on this farm: the bed and the table”

Bob jokes. Rolling hill country can be hard to navigate, especially in winter. The Hustler Chainless bale unrollers are compact, light and safe for hilly terrain, which will guarantee operation wherever your tractor goes.

The couple from Ponderosa Ranch bought their first Hustler 15 years ago and have recently decided to equip a second tractor with a Hustler Chainless bale feeder, as their property has become more spread out.

“A good and strong product”

Bob especially appreciates the ease of use of the machine, the compact size, which makes it easy to get through gates and the easy loading process with integrated tynes. The Hustler Chainless mounted bale unroller is perfect for a one-man-operation and for Bob it means that at 77, he can still feed all of his cattle from the comfort of his tractor seat.  About Hustler Equipment, Bob says:

“From a company point of view they’re easy to work with”.

Another strong feature of our Chainless bale unrollers is the patented auto-connection system Snaplox, which makes loading and connecting the bale feeder easy.

12 Advantages of the Snaplox Hand-Free Connection System:

1. No need to pull on a rope, whilst simultaneously juggling the 3 point linkage lift height and reverser
2. No more strain or twisting of your back
3. No hydraulics
4. No need to pull on a hydraulic lever to disconnect
5. No need to remember to reset a hydraulic lever to enable it to lock again
6. No wasted time plugging in extra hydraulic remotes
7. No need to wait for hydraulics when disconnecting
8. No smashed rear windows
9. No accidental disconnection
10. No twisting of the frame
11. Works on front-end-loaders opening up a huge efficiency and versatility advantage
12. Just simple reliable, a mechanical action that is seamless and fool-proof and operates naturally

Source: Hustler

The post Feeding Cattle at 77 Years Old – No Problem with a Hustler Bale Unroller appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Having the option of feeding square, as well as round bales with one single machine gives your operation the freedom of choice when buying in bales, which means you are not restricted by the availability of one type of bale, while being able to make a price conscious decision to fit your business. Especially in drought conditions where prices are high and bales are scarce, this can be an unbeatable advantage.

Main Benefits

The Hustler Chainless bale feeder feeds out square and round bales simply by adjusting the platform to the right position. The robust frame is able to handle bales of up to 1,250kg weight. The design is compact and light enough to fit into narrow barns. 3-point linkage, as well as loader, skid steer and telehandler mount options are possible and make this feeder perfect for feeding into troughs and hay racks.

Easy Loading

Our patented Snaplox System is a hands-free auto connection and disconnection system that lets you disconnect the feeder by simply lowering it onto the ground. No more pulling on a rope and twisting your back.

1. Disconnect the Cradle
2. Load Bale
3. Feed Bale

The integrated tynes mean the unit is suitable for a single tractor operation and the low cradle design makes loading bales simple. Once the bale is ready to be fed out, Snaplox automatically locks when reconnecting the headstock to the feeding cradle, for guaranteed safety.

Features

The headstock can easily be connected to the feeding cradle thanks to the unequal length tynes and large guide cones. The powerful 3:1 rotors of the Hustler Chainless bale feeder gently tease apart the bale to preserve the nutritional leaf, which makes the feed more palatable for your stock and minimizes feed wastage. The all hydraulic system means, there are no chains that can snatch or derail. The result is increased reliability, lower maintenance and a silent operation.

Source: Hustler

The post Hustler to introduce the new Hustler Chainless bale feeder appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

There really is a model for everyone who is looking at increased efficiency and profitability from a round bale feeding point of view and we have put together a summary of what makes this bale feeder one of the best. 

A Clever Machine

A game-changer for indoor feeding in dead-end, narrow stables as the Unrolla headstock connects from both sides of the feeding cradle and feeds out to both sides!  It is also lightweight and compact enough to be operated with small tractors or loaders for increased maneuverability.  Feeds out all round bales, hay or baled silage, loose silage, maize, fodder-beet and even mis-shapen bales. The integrated tines for easy loading mean there is no need for another tractor to load the feeder. The large chamber takes up to 5-foot (1,5-metre) long bales and 1,250 kg load.

Features

Thanks to the fully enclosed Polyethylene floor there is no risk for feed to fall out. It is also UV and shock resistant and doesn’t corrode like floors made from steel. The slipperiness of the polyethylene reduces torque and makes it easier to turn bales compared to a steel surface.

They use the toughest roller chains on the market with larger diameter rollers and pins for less wear and longer life. The extra-strong shark teeth are designed to release the feed at precisely the right moment and can easily be swapped for a flatter option or replaced, as the system is bolted on. 

Self-aligning bearings easily outlast any type of bush system and require less maintenance and grease. Bearing covers keep the bearings clean, reducing maintenance and downtime while the drive shaft eliminates silage wrapping on shafts and jamming sprockets. 

Snaplox System

Their patented Snaplox System is a hands -free auto connect and disconnect system that lets you disconnect the feeder by simply lowering it to the ground. Simple as 1-2-3!

1. Disconnect cradle
2. Load bale
3. Feed bale

No more pulling on a rope. Uneven ground does not affect the Snaplox auto-latch thanks to clever Hustler engineering. 

Source: Hustler

The post Hustler to introduce the Unrolla Bale feeder range appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.