West Wyalong’s Daniel Draper has taken out the Greater Hume Council Award for the best Australian designed and manufactured machine with his innovative feeder trailer.The multi-purpose feeder, designed by Daniel Draper, has won the coveted Greater Hume Council Award at the Henty Machinery Field Days.
The honour is awarded to the best new Australian designed and built agricultural machine and was judged by a panel of independent judges at the Henty Machinery Field Days.
Mr Draper said he was still coming to terms with the win. He said the Ezy Feeder had been originally launched in 2004 and evolved into the 2022 winning model.
“It has a rear additive box resulting in a better mix of feed, lime, lupins and nutrients if deploying out of the auger or if trail feeding, it drops it straight out the rear end,” he said.
“The 305 litre poly injected additive box was designed by a company in Melbourne. It has a dual auger system for doing short fillings and an extended auger for using as a mini-grouper or seeder to fill an agri-drill. The operator can wireless remote the whole unit from in and out of gear through to operating the single bins. Feed rates can be manually adjusted or you can remotely add the buffers of salt, minerals and lime.”
The award was presented by Greater Hume Council Deputy Mayor Cr Annette Schilg and Henty Machinery Field Days director Matt Noll.
Draper said it was the first time he’s entered the coveted award.
“Everything is built in-house at West Wyalong from the ground up,” he said. “It’s one of those country towns where we all support each other and it’s good to have a great farming community like West Wyalong, I feel very privileged to win this award and will be a benchmark for us. Everyone is under the pump with builds but the patience and understanding of the farmers supporting their local businesses is great.”
(Photo source: Henty Machinery Field Days. Daniel Draper from Steele Steel, West Wyalong with his award winning machine.)