Slurry equipment operators are being advised to ensure that their machinery is well-maintained, especially working parts such as macerators.
Richard Sockett, of Sockett Farm Machinery, suggests that a little time and care can make the difference between equipment working well and failing.
“Equipment stored over winter may not have been cleaned or oiled sufficiently and will need a thorough visual inspection before use. A common macerator unit like Vogelsang’s ExaCut only has one grease chamber, so it is easy to check and it is advised that it’s given a few pumps of grease every few days to make sure it’s well-greased for smooth operation,” he says.
“I always suggest regular stone trap checks, especially for contractors that work an ever-changing range of farms.”
He adds that checking connections throughout the slurry applicator, regardless of whether it is tanker-mounted or umbilical, is essential to avoid spillages.
Checking pipes for tears and making sure the connections are all tight before sending slurry through the applicator is really important, especially for systems that run at a higher-than-average hydraulic flow,” he says.
A macerator, such as Vogelsang’s ExaCut can run at 40 litres/min, however, Richard says that this is often too high for real-world operations.
“I would look to operate at 15-20 litres a minute. A higher speed is only needed for slurry with a higher fibre content. Running at slower speeds will reduce the strain on the macerator and extend its working life.”
He concludes by saying that while many checks can be done in the yard, a thorough service is also advisable, especially when it comes to wearing parts.
“If the wearing metal is worn, the macerator should be disassembled, removing the side plate and rotor to replace the blades and cutting rings. When doing so, it’s a necessity to reset the eccentric adjusters and replace the sponge seal.”
