Mains powered Machines

Heavy Duty

Shearing contractors with mobile gangs travelling the country use this type of machine. Installed often as part of a shearing unit they are used with either a “flexible” or “solid” drive shaft and a slim line “removable” handpiece, which will accommodate several, makes of varying cutters and combs. Lister are the predominate manufacturer of this and other types of machine. Such machines are available with two speed facilities (although most folk I know stay on fast!) The Lister 2 Speed Nexus shearing machine is one of the finest on the market and is a popular choice with those at the “sharp end”

The Lister Nova is an ideal machine for the farmer with upward of a hundred head of sheep or for the pedigree breeder who wishes to be independent. A really robust, yet lightweight unit, with sufficient power to cope with the average small to medium flock. Takes most of the various blades available. Comes with a slim handpiece for comfortable shearing and is available with either a “flexible” or “solid” drive shaft.

The handpiece can be selected with a “flocked” finish to give better grip. A good selection of cutters and combs are available to fit this type of handpiece, with many being expressly designed to suit a wide range of varying shearing and wool type conditions. Contractors seek combs, which offer ease of wool penetration to enable them to log up a large head count at the end of a shearing day. Combs of this nature will have different blade widths as well as various shapes and thickness of the bevel.

For the “farmer/shearer” the standard cutter and comb (often referred to as the “farmers pack”) will usually be adequate for most shearing operations, although those with some of the close and fine wool breeds such as the Southdown may well wish to experiment with other combs more suited to that type of wool. Shepherds who are involved with shearing winter housed sheep will find the extra cover combs very suitable as these leave slightly more wool on for protection. Flockmasters with the Merino breeds will find that Heiniger & Lister both offer an excellent range of combs designed for shearing this type of fine wool.

Mains powered light duty machines

(Motor in the handpiece)

Best suited to the small flocks where one is catering for a minimal number up to say 50 sheep.

A number of first class machines are available to choose from with three of the strongest contenders coming from Germany (Aesculap/Hauptner/Liscop) All are beautifully engineered, although Aesculap/Hauptner are a little limited on blade selection. The Hauptner 2000 sheep shearing machine, is extremely slim compared to many of its competitors, and is often favoured in preference. From Switzerland (Heiniger) offer robust machines supported with a tremendous comb and cutter range for almost every type of wool and shearing conditions. From the UK (Lister) have a long established and well-proven machine in the “Laser” and a world reputation for cutters and combs, in addition to their machines.

Certain models in the heavy-duty horse and cattle clipper range can be fitted with sheep shearing heads, which enable them to perform in a dual role. These are again suitable for the smaller flocks as above.

12volt Shearing Machines

A number of 12 volt shearing machines are available and which operate very successfully off either a generator or vehicle battery and provide a surprisingly good output of power enabling satisfactory shearing of virtually all sheep breeds. Such machines look and operate in the same way as the “motor in the hand piece” type described above - the only difference to be seen - is the 3 pin plug - exchanged for a pair of “crocodile clips” Highly suitable for flockowners with sheep away at keep or on the hills. Equally popular for dagging purposes around the farm.

Cleaning up Cattle!

Not suggesting for a moment that the “pedigree boys” don’t get mucky, nor that the commercial lads don’t use straw - but….

Quite a few commercial cattle farmers prefer to use a machine with a sheep head to “back out” winter store cattle, and for clean up prior to winter shedding or a trip to the abattoir! The more open type blade with a wider spread in the teeth allows for better penetration between the muck and the base of the coat in a way a normal cattle/horse blade would not.

REMEMBER! When shearing you use many more cutters than combs! Buy on a ration of 3:1.

TIP! Cutters & Combs which arrive for sharpening in a dirty or rusty state usually carry a surcharge of as much a £5.00 per unit!

Simple way to get them clean is to drop them in a bowl of boiling water with a drop of washing up liquid soap and leave for several hours. When you take them out all the grease and dirt will have vanished!

Wipe dry thoroughly and immediately oil before wrapping in suitable paper or cloth and sending off for sharpening

PEASRIDGE

Repair & service all makes of clippers and trimmers
and professionally sharpen all types of blades

Tel: 01424 882900 or E-mail info@peasridge.co.uk

Whilst every care has been take to ensure the accuracy of the information given both in the written text and pictures created, neither PEASRIDGE nor any of its staff can accept any responsibly of any type for injury or damage inflicted by or caused to persons or animals by any operator or a third party who has made reference to this web site. Owner/Operators of all such appliance should satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any statements made, and if they are unsure on any point consult the manufacturer direct.