There aren’t many self-propelled diet feeders in Ireland; this Lucas G machine joins the coveted few that have landed here thus far.
The machine has been sold by Kehoe Brothers – from its Camolin branch – to a farm in the south-east.
It’s a Lucas G Autospire 240; this model is part of a six-model line-up of diet feeders (or mixer wagons, if you prefer) with capacities that stretch from 12 up to 24m³.
24m³ capacity
The 240 is the biggest machine in the line-up; it can hold 24m³ of feed and is powered by a 245hp, six-cylinder Deutz engine.
Once mixed (courtesy of a twin-auger configuration), the resulting ration is dispensed via a belt-type conveyor at the back. Interestingly, the augers rotate at a speed of anywhere from 10 to 60rpm (depending on the job at hand).
The machine is quite long; it spans almost 10.8m. It’s just 2.55m wide – enabling it to navigate many in-shed passages. Unladen (with no feed on board), the machine weighs almost 16t.
This feeder wagon boasts fore and aft suspension. At the front there’s a hydro-pneumatic system; at the rear, the machine is supported on leaf springs.
Click on a thumbnail in the gallery (below) to open up a full-size image; once opened you can scroll sideways to see the next picture.
According to Graeme Vigors, from Kehoe Brothers, the machine is the first self-propelled feeder wagon that the company has sold in the country. However, Kehoe Brothers has a long-standing relationship with Lucas G.
It has sold significant numbers of the French manufacturer’s straw choppers/blowers (both mounted and trailed versions) here in Ireland over several years.
We hope to bring you further details of this eye-catching machine; watch this space…
Two-branch approach
Kehoe Brothers, for those who don’t know, operates from two depots. One – the company’s headquarters – is close to Camolin, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford; the other is located in Tullow, Co. Carlow.
The firm is an agent for a significant number of manufacturers, including Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Manitou.