Review
With the ability to feed pretty much anything you want, Hustler’s Combi RX218 feed wagon is big and bold, and very capable at what it does
Words Jaiden Drought Images Oliver Brunton
Ultimate all-rounder F
or 60 years now, Hustler has been redesigning its machinery line-up into sleek-looking, ‘outside the box’ designs, incorporating the ideas and on the ground opinions of the very people who purchase and use the machinery. This, along with the recent ‘MiNT Edition’ colour scheme change, has farmers highly invested in the launch of the new Hustler RX wagon range, moreso the big daddy: the RX218. I’ve spent some considerable time with this wagon, which is the result of six years of thoughtful research, development and refinement. In true Hustler style, the company opted to do something more creative than the norm to release this machine – investing in a roadshow around New Zealand, taking the RX218 to farms from the bottom of the South Island to the top of the North Island. So, what makes the RX218 so special? The beauty of the RX is that it will feed almost anything or a combination thereof. That’s what makes it so popular; particularly for South Island farmers who feed bales, grass/ whole crop silage, maize, root crops, or any other concentrated feeds in large quantities to mobs all over the district. Customers want a hardworking, simple and bulk capacity machine. Hustler is upfront in saying that if you want to blend several feeds plus trace minerals and chop bales, then buy a mixer. If you want to feed a large variety of feeds in the paddock at all times of the year, and sometimes on the feed pad, with a simple reliable feeder that’s easy to use and isn’t going to need a digger if you get stuck, then the RX is a more sensible option.
CONCEPT The Combi RX218 delivers two wagon concepts in one. The front right-hand chain elevator and side chain feed keeps forage moving to the elevator. Once this feed is exhausted, the rear pusher brings forward another chunk to be side shifted to the elevator. The machine delivers a huge 26 cubic metre heaped load capacity. A standout of the system is that the bulk of the weight isn’t moved all at once (saving chains) and the rear compartment (where the bulk of the feed is) is moved by two internally-ported rams. This means fewer hoses, no grease and no moving parts. Hydraulics beat chains all day in my opinion. The flat floor runs seamlessly between the rear bed and the cross conveyor. The bin allows two four-foot silage bales to easily be stacked across the width of the machine. This delivers the ability to keep a short overall length and low loading height, which Hustler is traditionally popular for. The only small problem with the rear pusher is the slot in the floor where the door slides. This means you can’t put concentrates like PK straight on the bottom to be mixed and maize silage will lose a small amount (which can be easily picked up in less than a shovel full), whereas silage presents no problems. If you do want to add feeds like PK, simply add maize or some other silage onto the bottom first, then the PK in the middle. As it goes through the chain elevator, the feed mixes very well. FEEDPAD KIT Bulk silage, maize and layered concentrates are a doddle to feed on the pad with the Hustler Combi
RX218. The large elevator tilts over enough to allow significant clearance off he wall of the bin, while still enabling you to feed in the middle of the trough. Feeding bales on the pad keeps you on your toes as with all wagons. Fortunately, this is covered by a smart controller (more on that later). The elevator has a single ram for tilting. This prevents twisting of the elevator from a twin ram design (if one ram was damaged, had a leaking seal or wasn’t phased properly, and the two rams were out of sync, twisting could occur). On the RX, however, the pivot ram is tucked neatly away, as are the gearboxes, hydraulic motors, and hoses – all conveniently out of harm’s way. CONSTRUCTION The elevator and side feed chains use 12,000lb (5,443kg) roller chains with Bis-Alloy sprockets (this is Harden metal, more often used on digger and loader bucket cutting edges). The shafts use self-aligning bearings and are well covered away from acidic feed. The feed bars use two bolts on either side to connect right through the chain, so if bent or broken, do not require a chain link. Four bolts and the bar can simply be removed, and you can carry on feeding. This doesn’t impact the structural integrity of the chain and, more importantly, enables a quick fix. The chains all have adjustable tensioners, so as they wear, you can simply take up the slack again to prolong their life. The floor of the wagon is a real piece of ingenuity. Made from a durable plastic called Puck board, this hard-wearing plastic composite is made from the
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