In cab joystick controls new grader scraper

More than 20 years ago Numurkah, Victoria irrigation farmer John Hodge, invented, built and patented a laser-controlled grader-scraper.

The original concept worked so well and was so popular with farmers and contractors, the manufacturing rights were acquired by the former Alfarm Industries, and were subsequently taken over by Horwood Bagshaw.

The machine's success is reflected in more than 1000 machines which have been built and sold throughout the irrigation areas of Australia and internationally, to both farmers and land levelling contractors.

With the original patents now expired and new patents in place, Hodge has set out to again build a grader-scraper which leads the field, reflecting his long experience as a farmer, earthmoving contractor and irrigation farm developer.

Third machine ready

The new Hodgco grader-scraper has seen two machines built and in use already by contractors at Hay, NSW and at Heyfield in eastern Victoria with the third machine ready to roll out of the Hodgco workshop at Numurkah.

“We though that when we built the first Hodgco machines that tractors in the 225kW to 260kW range would be the biggest we'd see.

“Now tractors of 300 kW plus are commonplace on farms and in contractors' fleets. So we have set out to build a large capacity grader-scraper to suit the big tractors, for irrigation land levelling and the increasingly important practice of topsoiling dry land farms on sand with clay,” he said.

The new Hodgco grader-scraper has a cutting width of 4.57m, weighs more than 13t unladen and can carry a load of 18m 3.

Included in the design is a unique axle combination of two parallel floating rear axles, which can both carry the fully laden scraper without risk of overloading, particularly in soft sandy soils, as well as being self cleaning to remove any dirt which sticks to the wheels.

Rubber tracks

Each floating axle, two per side with two wheels, is fitted with Bridgestone Bias earthmover tyres.

Hodge says that the next machine, the fourth, which will be built to a contractor's order, will be fitted with rubber tracks to give superior flotation on even the lightest sandy soils or other applications which require low compaction and/or high floatation.

A major feature of the new grader-scraper, is the specially-developed control system mounted in the tractor cabin, which operates the whole machine from a simple joystick. It monitors the action of the various components and keeps them in proper sequence, to ensure that loading and unloading is fast and efficient.

An automatic cross leveller is also built in. The rippers too are operated by the joystick.

The controller features four operating modes to give the operator options for different types of applications.

Data recorded includes total machine hours, ripping hours and the number of loads.

This data is also logged against job numbers and operator names to assist contractors in evaluating job performance against their quotes.

Joystick laser control

The laser system interfaces with the controller enabling the operator to control the laser functions with the joystick.

The controller also controls the popular Hodgco cushion hitch drawbar, which absorbs those shocks that damage man and machine, and compensate for load variations between the loading and unloading cycle.

Hodge says his many years experience with machines of this type has led him to use the best available hydraulic and mechanical components.

“With tractor power getting so big, we recognised that the new machine needed to withstand a host of stresses and impacts. But we are confident we have got everything right,” he said.

Further information contact: John Hodge, RMB 2855, Numurkah 3636, 03 5862 1598, 0427 561 833.