Very well built product. Would change PTO split shaft, too short tractor end

Owen Enterprises is a mixed, dryland farming, irrigation, cattle breeding and feedlot operation. We are always trying to streamline our methods of practice and reduce costs, so when we considered the most efficient means of distributing manure from the feedlot we proposed utilising machinery we already had in other areas of our operation.

Our aim with Walsh and Ford was to produce a manure spreader and a grain chaser bin that was interchangeable and had capacities in excess of 30 tonnes. There were several issues Walsh and Ford had to contend with: the chassis had to be robust enough to handle undulating contoured country; the bin and spreader had to be fully independent and easy to swap over; and, both the bin and the spreader had to have high capacity delivery.

The result has been a uniquely versatile machine that allows us to spread manure in a manner compliant with Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) regulations and increase the fertility of our soils. The machine comfortably spreads manure 6 metres each side of centre (further for lower rates of application) and can empty a 30 tonne load in under 10 minutes. Lower rates are applied by slowing the chain bed floor and spread widths adjusted by changing spinner speeds. The spreader is OH & S compliant and servicing is minimal due to an auto-lube greasing system.

We have saved on having to buy a complete separate chaser bin for harvest with changeover time from spreader to bin approximately 2 hours. Any servicing can be done either on the chassis or on the stands. A feature of the chaser bin is the 19 inch unloading auger that can empty 30 tonnes in under 5 minutes while reducing grain levels evenly in the bin from front to back. This avoids the problem of large quantities of grain at the front of the bin (and excess weight on the draw bar) if called back to the paddock half unloaded. The heavy duty chassis and drawbar is the most robust I have seen. In summary we have achieved our goal of ‘shooting two birds with one stone’ and are delighted with the results.

A quality machine at a fair price.

Having decided to purchase a belt conveyor, we checked out all manufacturers and rang owners. We are glad we chose a Walsh And Ford due to its stability, output and ease of operation. As for parts and service we haven’t needed any to date.

Having decided to purchase a belt conveyor, we checked out all manufacturers and rang owners. We are glad we chose a Walsh And Ford due to its stability, output and ease of operation. As for parts and service we haven’t needed any to date.

Design and quality of build are excellent. Great that Pete and Howard could personalize our bin to suit our requirements