Discover the latest innovations in fencing safety and convenience, with the PROTECH EVO range of remote-controlled tracked machines
Represented in New Zealand by AgriLife, director Ed Tarry is absolutely invested in this future-forward British brand, which has had enormous success in Europe and the U.S.
“There’s really nothing on the market to compete with them,” says Ed. “Protech has over 25 years of leading the charge in this space and is firmly committed to constantly forging forward with new technology and innovations.
“Around 90% of UK fencing contractors use tracked machines now, and generally what happens over there, eventually happens here in New Zealand. It’s a matter of people getting familiar with the technology and understanding the advantages over traditional methods, which I believe has led to a lot of interest in it right now.”
As fencing contractors need to look at the most cost-effective and safe way to increase their productivity and quality, the Protech EVO1S and the Protech 220B are the closest thing to robotic fencing that there is.
PROTECH EVO1S RC
Andrew McCracken, founder of Big Dog Fencing (the business name was inspired by the family Leonberger dog) is an absolute convert since investing in his first (and not last) Protech EVO1S RC.
“We’ve had it for three months now and it’s been a total game changer, so much so that I’m already thinking about a second one, or probably upscaling to the EVO 220B, which could allow me personally to ease off the gas pedal a bit as I start to get closer to retirement age,” he says.
“While we traditionally run a New Holland tractor with a FencePro 180-degree rammer, a combo that works really well, we often need to have multiple machines and teams in multiple places. The FencePro goes on our digger for really big jobs also, but the EVO1S RC has come onto the fleet able to step in and work at either end of the job scale.
Although Big Dog Contracting has its own transporter to get their larger gear to jobs, Andrew says being able to put the EVO1S RC on a trailer and tow it behind a ute is an incredible asset.
“We can get to jobs without the expense of on-charging the transporter costs and get in and out a lot quicker and with less hassle. It saves us time and money, so it saves clients time and money.
“And with the EVO, we’re not wasting a good, skilled fencer sitting in the tractor cab all day. All of our team are qualified fencers, so delegating one of them to tractor driving isn’t a good use of resources.
“Being able to operate the EVO by one man speeds us up considerably – it means instead of a two-man team only having one person fencing, now we can have one doing the ramming and the other following behind doing the stays and wires.
“In the past, we might get 160/170 metres of 8-wire fencing (without battens) done in a day. Our record with the EVO is 450m in a day. That’s a considerable difference.”
Andrew’s also stoked that the machine ‘runs on the smell of an oily rag’ – maybe 15 litres of diesel a day, as opposed to 50 to 60 litres a day with a tractor.
“We just haven’t been able to fault it, and the safety aspect of also being able to use the 6-tonne winch for really steep jobs is game-changing.
“We do quite a bit of forestry work and the machine really comes into its own there, and being able to add the EVO 220B for the really tough terrain would ultimately be the business for this industry.”
Fast facts
The 400mm-wide heavy-duty rubber tracks offer unstoppable traction, especially with the addition of the optional bolt-on grousers. Two-speed tracking is essential when moving between jobs and the hydraulically adjustable track width from 1.6m (trailerised) to 2.2m for stability on steep country is an essential feature. This, combined with the front blade and hydraulic leg at the base of the mast, makes for sure-footed ramming. The little blade, similar to that of a small digger, not only acts as a stabiliser to make the job safer, but is perfect for pushing over knobs and hollows to level up a fence line.
Key features and benefits: PROTECH EVO1S RC
- One man walk-behind operation to maximise efficiency and productivity and minimise operator fatigue
- Fuel efficient 48hp Yanmar diesel engine
- Low tare weight for easy, efficient transport behind a ute between jobs
- 120-degree rotation c/w tele-mast and tele-boom, with extensive four-way mast tilt, allows up to 4m posts to be rammed in the most inaccessible areas
- Extendable 1.6m to 2.2m, 400mm-wide tracks and 6-tonne winch to access the steepest, wettest terrain, inaccessible with any other machine
- Full remote-control of track gear and driver functions to ensure precise operation at a safe distance when on extreme gradients
- Front and centre post storage to maximise post supply
- Rock spike, auger drive and augers as standard
- Outstanding resale value
PROTECH EVO220B
The big daddy of the Protech range, this mega unit really is the ultimate in one-man fencing operating efficiency. Self-propelled, tracked, and remote-controlled, the 220B delivers all the carefully thought-out benefits of an upscaled EVO1S, but also has the addition of a front-end loader with a 1500kg lift capacity, cementing its place in replacing two or three machines on one job – the tractor and loader being capable of handling posts with its foldable pallet forks, as well as potentially doubling as a small dozer. Being able to add a three-way blade to the front of the machine is a massive bonus, helping level up fence lines and gateways. The loader even has third-service auxiliary outlets offering tremendous flow and pressure to facilitate a rotary forestry mulcher if some bush clearing is necessary, without the necessity to bring in yet another machine.
Awakino Contract Fencing recently added the Protech EVO 220B to its fleet and owner Mark Rountree has already been clocking up the hours on his new purchase. “It’s hugely versatile,” he says, “and easily tackles anything from a construction site to a swamp and given that we do everything from industrial and security jobs to rural and residential, it’s a real asset to our business.”
Fast facts
Mounted on a rear arm, the main hydraulic control bank folds in (for transport with a hydraulic ram) or out (for a comfortable working height). While there are plenty of levers, they’re logically laid out so it’s pretty straightforward to learn your way around.
One thing that is instantly impressive is the outstanding range of movement of the tele-mast with it’s 220-degree slew. The tele-boom’s ability to telescope 800mm in and out and be lifted up and down with the boom-lift, all at incredible angles, is something that needs to be seen to be believed. This allows the telescopic mast to drive up to 4.8-metre posts at any angle, making it ideal for driving cattle yard posts or for orchard work on tricky banks etc. Auto-level is also an option on the P220B, helping keep everything straight and true when doing post and rail work.
Thanks to the robust portable remote-control unit (which comes as standard), control of the front-end loader functions and the machine’s tracks are at your fingertips. Being able to operate the EVO without actually being on it keeps the operator safely out of harm’s way in problematic terrain. The two-speed massive track gear has impressive traction and gets in and out of steep spots where even tractors would struggle. Good life expectancy is achieved from the rubber tracks, with EVO machines clocking up 2000+ hours still running fine on the original tracks. Both 450mm tracks on the heavy-duty undercarriage extend to 3.2m for additional stability on the steepest of country, while the belly-plated chassis offers good ground clearance and protects the vital organs.
Engine
Powered by a reliable Yanmar 68hp diesel engine, which meets Tier 5 emissions regulations using a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), this also means no need for AdBlue, which is a big plus for many users. Maintenance is straightforward with an LCD panel allowing you to scroll through and check all operating parameters and functions. An audible alarm sounds if there’s an issue. There are inspection holes in the engine cover to avoid having to lift the whole cover up for routine oil and coolant maintenance checks, but, if need be, the engine compartment is made fully accessible by lifting the engine cover on its gas struts to make it easier.
Key features and benefits: PROTECH EVO 220B
- One man walk-behind operation to maximise efficiency and productivity and minimise operator fatigue
- 1500kg front-end loader c/w four-way euro-hitch and high-flow auxiliaries to accommodate a front blade, foldable pallet forks or any hydraulically operated attachment such as a forestry mulching head
- Fuel-efficient 68hp Yanmar diesel engine
- Heavy 5-tonne tare weight for extra stability and traction on extreme terrain and impressive pushing capability for blade work
- 220-degree tele-mast, tele-boom and boom-lift to achieve ramming of up to 4.8m posts at extreme angles in the most inaccessible of places
- Extendable 2.2m to 3.2m, 450mm-wide tracks and 10-tonne hydraulic winch to access the steepest, wettest terrain inaccessible with any other machine
- Full remote-control of track gear and loader functions to ensure precise operation at a safe distance when on extreme gradients
- Rock spike, auger drive and augers as standard
- Toolboxes and ample storage on board
With innovation and technology under the careful guidance of companies like Protech, it’s an exciting time for the fencing sector – there’s a certain confidence in knowing that a brand that knows the ins and outs and demands of this rigorous industry is absolutely on track to helping keep it moving forward successfully.