GRAZIERS across the district are gearing up for a later harvest than usual and now is the ideal time to check agricultural machinery.
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Rains came late in the sowing season for some farmers, which means they will shortly be harvesting wheat, barley, oats, chick peas and faba beans.
There has also been a lot of crop spraying across the district.
Mechanical specialists are advising producers to check their headers and spray rigs and to ensure roads on properties are properly graded.
Wayne Monckton, of Fred Monckton Bearing Centre, said the business had been helping rural producers with farm equipment repairs and spares, hydraulics and auto spare parts, along with the company’s engineering and machining division.
“When your business requires nuts and bolts, hoses, chains, hubs and studs, brakes, clutches, belts, pumps, motor repairs, metal lathing and a ridiculous amount more, then FMBC in Moree is the right place to visit,” Wayne says.
Indeed, it’s a busy time of year for the family-owned business, begun in 1976 by Wayne’s father, Fred Monckton.
His motto was for the business to be “a one-stop shop for the farming community”.
“Forty years on and we stand by Dad’s creed,” Wayne says.
“We also refurbish hydraulic pumps with genuine parts, bore hydraulic cylinders to perfect size and test before reuse, as well as repairing and servicing hydraulic motors.”
It’s also a good time to check and upgrade roads, silos and sheds on properties.
Girard Grader Hire, at 70 Greenbah Road, Moree, has graders, rollers, bobcats, road stabilisers and excavators for hire to graziers, producers and councils.
This family owned business also hires out water and gravel trucks, according to office assistant Claire Girard, whose father Scott owns the business.
Their vehicles were hired to help build stage 2 of the Moree by-pass as well as the Gateway project.
“We also hire out water and gravel trucks,” Claire says.
Girard Grader Hire first started operations in 2005 and now employs 20 workers.
Black Truck and Ag has been in Moree for 12 years and employs 15 staff.
This truck and machinery dealer is the local agent for New Holland, Agco, Finch and Simplicity.
It offers a round-the-clock breakdown service and advises customers to have a pre-season inspection carried out by one of its service technicians.
Also, order pre-season for new machinery to maximise discount.
Planned maintenance and skilled equipment operation can minimise downtime and reduce potential for mishaps during harvest, so now is the perfect time for pre-season maintenance and repairs.