Media Release
Upright Posture Shearing Platform ready for on-farm use
29 May 2007
It is technology that once seemed a long way from on-farm application, but the Upright Posture Shearing Platform (UPSP) is one step closer for the woolgrower and shearing contractor.
A more productive and cost-effective model of the much talked about UPSP – ShearEzy from Peak Hill Industries – is now available commercially.
Joe Sullivan, Australian Wool Innovation’s Project Manager – Wool Harvesting, said the latest model has overcome earlier short-comings, and would be a revelation to growers in particular.
Most importantly Peak Hill has said that the retail price has come back significantly to around $15,000 for a ShearEzy UPSP unit, and Mr Sullivan believes at such a price, the technology is accessible to many.
“It is really suited to growers who may want to shear their own sheep, or who may want to share a platform amongst several properties, or those who are not keen to update or build a new shed, but still have sheep to shear.”
Peak Hill Industries Bill Byrne said the new model had under-gone a massive reduction in size and weight.
“Now clocking in at around 250 kilograms, the ShearEzy unit can be transported on a box trailer or tray top ute,” he said.
“It may be operated on a purpose-built trailer, set up in the open or moved into any shearing, multi-purpose or machinery shed.”
He said the technology is now powered by an 8-10 cubic feet per minute air compressor and 240 volt electricity, and the reduction in size means the company is now in the process of developing the capacity to link a number of the platforms together.
Shear-Ezy consists of a shearing platform with an integrated parallel sheep loader. Mr Byrne said sheep walk into the loader via an inclined non back-up ramp and are held until ready to be shorn.
“The loader clamps the sheep then tilts toward the platform. The sheep is released from the clamp and the rear legs restrained while the sheep lies on the hinged up wings of the platform.”
He said the shearer is able to mechanically manipulate the sheep to each position through the shearing process, and 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.
Such awareness of occupational health and safety issues is a driver of the UPSP development, said Mr Sullivan.
AWI has invested significant funds on the UPSP program over the past three years, funding the development and testing of six alternative designs. The Peak Hill ShearEzy was the first of these designs to be made commercially available when it went on the market late last year and AWI has been involved with its continued improvement.
“The fact is that most shearing injuries come from the ‘catch and drag’ part of the process, and the UPSP overcomes this. Likewise, it eliminates the need for bending down, and reduces the physical effort required,” Mr Sullivan said.
“And with the latest design, productivity levels of the UPSP can be superior to over the board, particularly in difficult shearing conditions, for example with large sheep, or in particularly hot weather.”
Growers can see the latest model in action at the Campbell Town Show, Tasmania, on June 1-2, and at the Shear$marter forum in Dubbo, NSW, on June 13.
For images of the UPSP, please contact AWI Corporate Affairs.
Released by:
Sally Davison – AWI Corporate Affairs – (02) 9299 5155 or 0428 295 898