Peak Hill Industries ‘ShearEzy’ UPSP
Peak Hill Industries ShearEzy is the first Upright Posture Shearing Platform (UPSP) to reach commercialisation, with both single and multiple stand mobile trailer based or fixed platforms available.
Growers and Contractor can view the multi stand, trailer mounted version of the Peak Hill Industries ShearEzy below. This short video presentation gives an excellent understanding of how the ShearEzy concept can deliver benefits to shearers, contractors and growers.
Introduction
Lighter, cheaper and faster is one way to describe the latest version of the Peak Hill Industries ShearEzy. It has not only reduced its weight and size but Peak Hill Industries has focused on using cheaper, reliable technology to reduce cost.
The new air operated system ShearEzy consists of a shearing platform with an integrated parallel sheep loader. Sheep walk into the loader via an inclined non-backup ramp and are confined until ready to be shorn. The loader clamps the sheep then tilts toward the platform, the sheep is then released from the clamp and the rear legs are restrained as the sheep lies horizontal on the hinged up wings of the platform.
ShearEzy machines can simply be linked together creating a multiple stand system.
Shearing platform (front view)
Shearing platform (rear view)
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What is the ShearEzy system?
The ShearEzy system, designed by Peak Hill Industries consists of a shearing platform with an integrated loader, loading races and optional transport trailer. It can operate as a single unit as well as a multiple stand unit when one or more are put together.
Shear Ezy Multiple stand version - set up in a shearing shed.
The rotation of the leg restraints and the hinged movements of the two wings allow the shearer to mechanically manipulate the sheep to each desired position through the shearing process. Optimal flat surfaces are provided for the shearer which enables long continuous blows around most of the body of the sheep.
Shearing different sheep types and sizes requires minimal adjustment. Fleeces fall onto the electrically driven wool conveyor belt directly under the sheep and is transferred intact to a knee height tray at the rear of the machine for easy pickup by the wool handler.
The ShearEzy system can be set up in the open, or in any shearing, multi purpose or machinery shed with nearby access to sheep and wool handling facilities. Weighing approximately 250 kg for the base unit, the ShearEzy can be transported on a box trailer or a tray top ute. An 8-10 cfm. air compressor and 240 volt electricity is required to power ShearEzy.
Right hand view 2 stand trailer mounted Shear Ezy system – Conveyor system, fleece handling and catching race
Left hand view 2 stand trailer mounted Shear Ezy system – Shearers at work
Right hand view 2 stand trailer mounted Shear Ezy system – wool preparation area
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A typical trailer based shearing set up might include:
- Holding yard – portable
- Self drawing yard – portable
- Dual race lead-up system - portable
- Ramp to the loader
- Trailer used to transport and contain the shearing process
- Squeeze loader
- ShearEzy UPSP
- Wool Conveyor
- Exit holding yard
- Wool classing table
- Bins and wool press
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An example of a single stand ShearEzy shearing process
- Sheep in the holding yard are moved into the self drawing yard and dual race lead-up system.
- From the race the sheep then move up via the ramp into the loader.
- At this stage animal husbandry procedures, eg drenching or vaccinating, could be carried out on the sheep.
- The loader grips the sheep and then tilts to delivers the sheep onto its side. As grip is released on the loader the sheep slides onto the shearing platform. As the sheep exits the loader, the next sheep moves into the loader ready for shearing.
- Shearing
a. Shearing starts with the crutch area followed by the belly.
b. Once the belly wool is removed the shearer moves to the head of the sheep to open up and shear the neck area.
c. Following the shearing of the neck the far side is then shorn with the table near side and leg restraints tilting flat and towards the shearer.
d. On completion of the near side, the near side is shorn with the table far side and leg restraints tilting away from the shearer.
e. Upon completion of the far side the sheep is now shorn, so rear leg restraints are detached and the sheep exits to the floor on the shearers left.
- The sheep then moves to the exit and then holding yard.
- The fleece is directed down between the platform and the skirt onto a conveyor belt. This belt moves the fleece away from the shearing platform to an area where it is picked up by the wool classer and prepared on the wool table. From the wool table the fleece is placed into the press or bin.
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