Gary Baker is leading the charge with over 30 years of experience both here and in the UK. Farmec has grown and evolved thanks to his understanding of the unique challenges faced by New Zealand’s agricultural sector, with over 3000 implements already out there working on Kiwi farms under the Agmech and Farmec brands.
One of the key reasons these machines are so popular is down to the Farmec manufacturing ethos, which puts function and strength at the top of the page, in turn requiring minimal maintenance. Built with a 25-year life span is a promising commitment, so let’s see what we can find under that yellow paint.
TIPPER TRAILERS
While the eye-catching citrus colour marks out the bale feeders, silage wagons and rollers, it’s the extensive range of tipper trailers we’re most excited about for our Trailer & Telehandler Showcase being carried out live at the South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD).
First up we have the Farmaster range, designed for general farm use with models ranging from 4–16-tonne capacity. Being built with a full RHS chassis with a slimline single beam drawbar gives high strength and a sharp turning circle. The majority of these trailers are sold with steel deck for strength and rigidity, and all tip to 60 degrees to help move even the most stubborn, sticky material.
The sides are hinged (and removable) with a normal swinging tailgate that lifts off its hinges, allowing the trailer to be used without the rear door or with a dual-purpose tail door that swings around the side. With either tail door option, you get mechanical (but auto) trip latches and spreading chains.
There are corner bolsters in the deck for the tailgate posts and for securing the sides. But wait, there’s more: the front headboard lifts off for pure flatbed performance, or the front and rear bolsters can be fitted to each corner for when you want to become a logging contractor and go bush. That’s true versatility!
5 Tonne Tipper Trailer
This is a convenient entry-level trailer, handy for small farms or lifestyle blocks. When I was growing up, this was the most popular trailer sold in New Zealand and now, we are describing them as lifestyle block trailers. I couldn’t bring myself to put it on the back of the 260hp Case IH in fear of public shaming! Nevertheless, it’s not built to be coddled, with the Corten 3mm deck and optional 400 wheels (as displayed on the trailer we tested), as well as the swivel towing eye, rope rails, etc. You name it, it was on here. The tandem axle is available for just over $2000 extra, yet another option on this well-built and functional little trailer.
8 Tonne Tipper Trailer
Next up was the 8-tonner, which made its TV debut on ONE News Breakfast showcasing the SIAFD. What the majority of the Breakfast viewing public won’t realise is that this is Farmec’s best-selling Farmaster trailer. It hits the sweet spot for capacity, strength, reliability, functionality and pricing. Little wonder there are more than 700 of these beauties currently in use around New Zealand.
Again, like the 5-tonner, our test machine had most of the spec boxes ticked, this time with the tandem axle which is standard on this model. Reasons why this is the most popular option is likely down to the 2.5tonne tare weight. This shows the amount of material in the build, thanks in part to the 4mm Corten steel deck (braced every 400mm), the two-piece fold down sides that can be taken off by yourself, auto tail door latching, fast and steep tipping angle and the raft of aforementioned features standard to the Farmaster range.
The only exception here is that many are sold with the 1.2m bale extension. This gives 5.2m of floor area that allows up to 11 round bales to be loaded. Also, for the true flat deck experience, the standard removable front headboard is equipped.
12 Tonne Tipper Trailer
As the name suggests, the Contractor Trailer (CT) is designed for the contractor/ construction industry. This isn’t just a beefed-up farm trailer. It is a design that has been refined from feedback gained from those using the back catalogue of 30 years in the industry.
The CT range of trailers are designed to shift 12 tonnes of material every 15 minutes, 12 hours a day, seven days a week – that’s quite an appetite! Part of the success of that high work rate is the fast tipping, multi-staged rams that give 60 degrees of tip with minimum oil usage.
In terms of build quality, to be able to handle that kind of punishment, the CT comes with full RHS chassis with single beam drawbar and heavy-duty walking beam tandem axle oscillating on a continuous 75mm high tensile pin with six easy grease-able bushes (from the central grease banks) as standard. For those speed demons with the 55km/hr and above tractors, the pin is positioned 50mm off centre to reduce bouncing.
There are two body choices in the CT range. The first is essentially the big dawg of the Farmaster range; with large one-piece sides that are easily removed by the tractor for those requiring trailer flexibility. The other option is a fully welded bathtub shape complete with 5mm Corten 350G steel deck braced every 400mm for the 365-days-a-year bulk work.
There are a couple of tail door options here. Our test trailer, which was kindly on loan from Grounds and Services Ltd, had the fully hydraulic up and over type, perfect for almost anything. Also of note is that silage crates are available for both body options, either fully welded or the IKEA bolt together type (but built by Farmec).
Summary
Farmec’s range of tipper trailers exemplify the well-earned respect of the ‘designed and built in New Zealand’ slogan. The range is perfectly suited to the unique challenges faced by local farmers and contractors. With a variety of models available, and customisable features for each model clearly itemised, with the prices all published on the website (farmec.co.nz), this means you get a no-nonsense trailer at a no-nonsense price from a bloke with a no-nonsense approach to building trailers. Are you picking up what I’m putting down?