EIGHT eastern states farmers and contractors have purchased the new O’Bryan Farmer 4.3 model carry grade scraper from Swan Hill based Murray Valley Lasers for flood irrigation bay construction, sand or clay transfer and other agricultural construction and earthmoving projects.
The current machine in production will be delivered shortly to a Riverina based rice growing enterprise for forming up the bays sought for high efficiency water use.
The new O’Bryan 4.3 Farmer model was extensively prototyped and is proving to be the ideal earthmoving machine choice to suit tractors from 190 to 460kW.
The grade scraper is an ideal match for larger four wheel drive and front wheel assist style tractors used by farmers and contractors.
Murray Valley Lasers principal, Colin O’Bryan said that the Farmer 4.3 model is lighter in weight with extensive features compared to the company’s heavy duty model which is extensively used by larger rural earthmoving, mining and civil contractors.
New features include an automatic greasing system maintaining lubrication to all moving parts to minimise wear and reduce downtime and an electronic tyre monitoring system providing a digital readout in the tractor cabin.
Any indication of loss of or rising pressures, or tyre stress of either the scraper or tractor alerts the operator allowing problems to be checked and minimise any damage.
“This is important on-the-move information especially when the typical rubber tyres used on both the tractor and the Farmer 4.3 carry grade scraper can have a replacement cost of around $3,000 each,” Colin O’Bryan said.
“When we released the Farmer 4.3 model we set out to create a range of practical features including the most stable final trim carry grade scraper available in Australia with an earthmoving machine choice for farmers and contractors that offered value for money,” he said.
“Our Farmer 4.3 model has a thirteen to fourteen cubic metre carrying capacity of fill or soil and its uniquely balanced design including a slightly longer pull places less weight on the tractor drawbar thereby less impact on the tractor and its structure, gearbox and transmission.
“The machine width is equal to a common tractor width of 4.3 metres with a 3.92 metre (or 13 foot) cutting width employing an industry standard three piece replaceable cutting bar.
“With its unique proven rocker axle fitted with 90mm diameter axles and with four 1400 x 24 x 16 ply rubber flotation tyres this design has set the industry standard.” Colin O’Bryan says.
The new O’Bryan Farmer 4.3 model has an external measurement equal to the tractor width of 4.3 metres and so is able to be towed on public roads or between properties with only one escort vehicle.
The Farmer 4.3 model is being used by irrigation farmers and smaller contractor businesses for typically 500 hours of working time a year.
Fitted with hydraulic linkages the machine can be combined with all popular laser grade control and GPS technology. All structural steel components having been laser profile cut for accuracy and finish.
