Peakhandler sheep handling machine: 1000 crutches a day
A REVISED version of a well-known sheep handling machine has been unveiled this year, with its latest major showing at last month’s Elmore field days.
A REVISED version of a well-known sheep handling machine has been unveiled this year, with its latest major showing at last month’s Elmore field days.
The air-operated Peakhandler has been developed for graziers and contractors for a range of purposes, from full crutching, drenching and wigging to capsule insertion, ringing, ear tagging and foot trimming.
Manufactured by Peak Hill Industries at Peak Hill, south of Dubbo in NSW, the machine sells around Australia as well as overseas, principally to the UK.
Company owner Bill Byrne said the latest model was released almost 12 months ago.
“We normally attend about 10 major field days around the country across all states, as well as private showings,” he said.
“We’ve had an older model on the market for about 20 years and have built well over 2000 machines, but this new version has been redesigned with 20-30 improvements.
“Those include the use of all galvanised material, enabling it to handle both larger and smaller sheep, making it more adaptable and easier to adjust and incorporating Teflon bushes for longer life.
“Farmers can work the machine themselves, but a lot of shearing contractors use it — a contractor could crutch 1000 sheep a day and go home without a sore back.
“There’s not much else around like the Peakhandler — other machines don’t invert the sheep completely like ours and the double cradle makes the work much faster.”
Most farm-type air compressors can operate the machine, with maximum pressure not needing to exceed 620 kPa (90psi).
Sheep are held in each of two cradles — one inverted, the other standing. During operation, the flick of a handle is all that’s needed to release one and grab the next.
Mr Byrne said the risk of injuring sheep through breaking legs, bruising or crushing had been eliminated.
“It does away with bending, dragging, lifting and pulling,” he said. “The risk of being kicked or injured by an unrestrained animal is also eliminated.
“The Peakhandler costs around $10,000, though extra options can include ATV wheels for towing and single or double trailers. Most, however, would be in sheds.”
For details, visit the Peak Hill Industries website.