The expansion of many Irish dairy herds since the abolition of quotas has been capped by the size of the particular grazing platform.
To get around this, many farmers have availed of the zero-grazing concept to access fresh grass on out-farms or leased land.
For those in the market for making the move or upgrading their current machine, we take a look at the current range of options and costings of machines currently on the Irish market.
As these machines mostly work in the shoulders of the year, power requirement, tyre selection and weight are three of the most important aspects potential buyers need to keep an eye out for.
Zero Grazer
The Meath-based manufacturer is currently offering nine models, which range in size from the AB50 (20m3) up to the ZG100 (56m3), which is designed for herds with over 200 cows.
Aside from the standard specification, farmers can choose what cutting width and type of mower they want, whether that be a Galfre drum mower (6ft or 7ft) or a Samasz disc mower (7ft 2in or 8ft 6in).
Different-sized radial flotation tyres can also be specified, including 500mm, 560mm, 620mm or 710mm options to sit on the bogey axle.
Zero Grazer uses galvanised sides, while all machines are sand-blasted, primed and oven-baked in two-pack paint (available in either red or black).
The elevator is gearbox-driven using a PTO shaft, with a slip clutch. The elevator chain also has a self-oiling kit.
The firm uses a split-floor design with four floor chains to reduce pressure on floor bars. The machine is controlled from the cab using two spool valves and an electro hydraulic control box with two switches. Zero Grazer said its ZG80 with a disc mower (7ft 2in) continues to be its best seller. The firm offers a 12-month warranty as standard.
The prices quoted in the table include delivery and setup.
Belair
Tom Shaw Farm Machinery is the importer and distributor of the French-built Belair zero-grazing machines.
The Offaly machinery firm retails four (S, M, L and XL) of the Gabare Premium models on the Irish market which are slightly higher-spec than the standard offering.
These machines are equipped with a Terra twin drum-sprung mower unit (four blades on each drum), with a 2.25m cutting width which runs in the 540 box.
Belair uses a hydraulically-driven elevator system, which uses a regulator valve to cut out if it becomes overloaded, over a typical PTO-driven slip clutch combination. The elevator chain is also self-lubricating.
Shaw noted that all units imported have twin flat heavy-duty chains, leaf-sprung axles and 600/50 R22.5 radial flotation tyres. These units require 80l/min of oil flow.
The machine is controlled from the cab using two spool valves and an electronic control box.
It is finished with LED lights as standard and can be equipped with an optional steering axle.
The machines come with a 12-month warranty as standard.
The prices quoted in the table include delivery and setup.
FeedAll Grass Grazer
Kilkenny firm Desmond Condell Engineering offers its FeedAll Grass Grazer range of zero-grazing machines.
Keeping things simple, Condell only offers two models of its Grass Grazer, a tandem-axle model which has a rated capacity to carry 6t of fresh dry grass and a tri-axle model which is rated to carry 8t of fresh dry grass.
As standard, both models come with a high level of specification. Both are fitted with a 2.8m (9.2ft) Krone disc mower, twin-drive floor and an elevator box built in-house. Load-sensing hydraulics and 10-stud commercial axles fitted with 550mm tyres are also part of Condell’s standard specification. An LED lighting package is also included as standard.
All machines are shot-blasted, primed and painted using two-pack paint in either black or red colours.
Optional specification is there for the customers who are looking for that bit extra. This includes larger BKT flotation tyre options of 560mm and 620mm.
Operators looking for greater manoeuvrability can opt for a rear-steering axle, as well as reversing lights and a reversing camera. Air brakes are also optionally available. The standard tandem axle machine is priced at €44,600 excluding VAT while the tri-axle model is priced at €49,600 excluding VAT. The firm have said that pricing includes delivery and setup.
