New-Style Spreader, Has No Apron, Chain

New-Style Spreader, Has No Apron, Chain MANURE HANDLING Equipment 1-4-26 "This machine will outhaul and outlast any conventional spreader and requires a lot less maintenance." So says Dan O'Reilly, co-inventor of the Orbilt hydraulic manure spreader which, because of its low maintenance, is sold "factory direct" to livestock and poultry producers. Orbilt spreaders have no aprons, flails, slats, rivets or belts, according to O'Reilly and "at least 300 fewer moving parts than conventional apron-type spreaders." Here's how they work: A hydraulically-operated pusher ram and false endgate move all material in the loaded spreader to the beater at a uniform rate set by the operator. This sliding pusher mechanism, powered by a single hydraulic cylinder, replaces the apron and all of the parts needed to drive it. "When the front endgate is all the way back to the beater, the load is off. You don't have to drive half the distance of a field to get rid of the last 10%," explains O'Reilly who, along with his father and five brothers, manufacture the spreaders. The main beater is made from heavy channel iron welded around the beater pipe in two opposing spirals. It tears apart the toughest manure, including frozen chunks. "Twine doesn't catch or hang on this beater as it does on others," says O'Reilly. "When the load is off, you merely reverse the hydraulic lever on the tractor and the sliding pusher and false front endgate return to the front. As they do, bottom and sidewall scrapers clean out the entire inside of the box." O'Reilly notes that the sliding pusher, working in conjunction with the false endgate, is the heart of the entire machine. The entire inside of the box is lined with tough plastic. "Manure doesn't penetrate or stick to the plastic, nor does manure freeze to it as it does to wood or steel," O'Reilly points out. A lower splash blade beater breaks up and scatters both the liquid portion and clumps. Orbilt spreaders are available in three tandem axle models (250, 380 and 425 bu.) and one single axle model (180 bu.). The latter retails for $2,300 and the largest tandem axle model (425 bu.) for $5400. For more details, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, O'Reilly Mfg., Route 3, Goodhue, Minn. 55027 (ph. 612 293-4508 or 4720).

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