Midwest Fabrication sales and business development manager Michael Knight conceded the long trip was a challenge, particularly through the tight streets of Parkes.
“But we are well set up to do that and have been moving these draper fronts for many years – Midwest Fabrication has been going for 27 years and is renowned for making the biggest fronts in Australia,” Mr Knight said.
The company manufactured the first 12.1m draper front and went on to pioneer the world’s first 18.3m front, which remains the only Australian made front.
The Midwest Legacy features the largest diameter six bar pickup reel available on the market today, giving greater crop reach and 20 to 44 per cent more finger tines.
“We have a full-time engineer on staff and his job is to design the next series of header fronts as they become larger and with more capacity,” Mr Knight said.
“We must ensure our header fronts will physically talk to the header, and that it recognises the width and length of the front, then talk to the reel, actuators and sensors.”
The front is designed for a John Deere header which has 50 sensors and actuators; the front has zero electronics other than lights.
“Our fronts are for people wanting solid, simplistic technology which can be fixed in the farm workshop,” he said.
Midwest Fabrication are regular exhibitors at Henty and are pushing into the southern NSW and Victorian markets.
“We soft-launched the Legacy last year and then officially launched in November putting it through the summer crop harvest in the north,” he said.
“The Legacy was used to harvest about 2630ha of wheat at Barmedman on a John Deere X9 and the farmer was pleased with the number of hectares he could get through in a day.”
Mr Knight said growers were continually pushing for greater efficiency and were now inquiring about 20 and 24m draper fronts.
Mr Knight highlighted Midwest’s success across Australia and mentioned the company may explore further export opportunities in Canada and the northern plains of the USA.
The recognition at Henty highlights Midwest Fabrication’s remarkable contributions to Australia’s agricultural industry and their ongoing commitment to innovation, quality and excellence in manufacturing.
Larger fronts were now being sought by customers.
“We are almost at the limit now with the materials we are using. We are not saying it won’t happen but there are a few hurdles to jump,” he said.
Mr Knight said the Highly Commended award at Henty was great recognition for the dedication of the owners and staff at Midwest.
