The ‘Ram-to-Ewe’ design was entered by Simon Flinn from Flinn Design and impressed the judges at the Henty Machinery Field Days with its innovation, design and safety features.
The machine reduces dragging distances and allows shearers to maintain better posture.
A total of 10 shortlisted machines and equipment items at the cutting edge of agricultural technology were judged on Monday, September 16.
The Midwest Legacy from Midwest Fabrication in Dalby, Queensland was highly commended.
It is the world’s widest draper platform, with a breadth of 18.3m.
Judging criteria included a machine’s purpose and suitability, scope of application, construction (durability and design), ease of maintenance and service, ease of operation and adjustment, availability of parts and overall value for money.
Judge Warren Scheetz described the Ram-to-Ewe as fit for purpose and a leap forward for the shearing industry in operator and sheep safety.
“The design of the automated system works by the back fence moving progressively forward, reducing the size of the pen as it empties out of sheep,” Mr Scheetz said.
“This reduces the dragging distance for the shearer and allows for improved sheep handling and operator safety.
“The design focuses very much on the shearer — they are always picking the sheep up on a level surface with the tilting pen towards them.
“They are pulling straight out so there is no twisting while they are pulling.”
The machine also increases the efficiency of the shearer and reduces the extra stress on their body.
Flinn Design principal Simon Flinn said the Ram-to-Ewe was more affordable and came in two versions.
“One that’s computerised and regulates the speed and distance the gate moves over the run and a manual one, where the shearer controls the back gate with the push of a button,” Mr Flinn said.
“It is fully pneumatic, with no need for any power.”
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