Technology: SlurryKat enters market with eight shear-grabs
The Procut 2150 (7ft wide) with 2.35 cubic metre capacity, one of eight new shear-grabs developed and manufactured by Northern Ireland company SlurryKat.
This is the first time the Northern Ireland machinery manufacturer has produced shear-grabs, but a spokesman said they were encouraged to do so by hearing of farmers having problems with their grabs, for example, in handling silage and maize with high dry matter.
SlurryKat set about designing and making grabs that would reduce cutting waste and have enough force to cut the silage block quickly and efficiently.
The result is two ranges, namely the Farmcut range of four models from 1.35m wide up to 1.95m wide, and the Procut range of four from 1.95m up to 2.55m.
The Farmcut range is designed for the smaller, less intensive livestock farm, and the Procut range has a deeper, higher-capacity cutter, and is designed for larger, intensive livestock and dairy farms.
The larger grabs are available with two or three ram options from hydraulic cylinders that provide 25% more power compared to many other grabs.
The Hardox serrated blades are claimed to remain sharp longer, meaning less maintenance for the operator.
All the SlurryKat grabs have extra-long pivot hinge 50mm diameter pins and sleeved bushes which are 200mm long.
These are double the length of many competing brands, for longer wear-free life.
The cutting arc and tine relationship are designed for undisturbed silage face to reduce secondary fermentation.
SlurryKat shear-grabs have a wide-opening design for high capacity to width ratio, saving operators time, with fewer journeys to the clamp.
Capacity ranges from one cubic metre for the Farmcut 1350 (4’4”) with two rams to 2.95 cubic metres for the 2550 (8’3”) with three rams. The grabs have bolt-on, heavy-duty attachment brackets for easy loader changes.
Prices start at £1,825 (about €2,160) for the Farmcut 1350 model.
