PRODUCT of the MONTH Is an in-depth review of a product selected at random from our extensive range of animal related equipment. Products are chosen for their aspects of innovation, benefit to their particular market, and overall value for money merits.

Manufacturers have no influence on the comments made but may be consulted to verify aspects of the technical data. All comments made are those of Peasridge and/or field operators who have tested the product on our behalf.

For the purposes of the review a normal "off the shelf" product model is selected.

HEINIGER of Switzerland recently announce that following the very successful launch of their revolutionary 3-speed Heiniger EVO sheep shearing machine in spring of 2003, they are now releasing their single speed sister-model - the Heiniger ONE sheep shearing machine. This is a unit intended to provide the drive power for the shearing of sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas and other Camelidae species.

We are also given to understand that the British Wool Marketing Board will be demonstrating the "ONE" on their educational shearing units, which are to tour various areas of the United Kingdom during the year. Anyone visiting any of the venues will therefore have an opportunity to have a closer inspection of these machines.

Heiniger kindly supplied us with a production model for an in-depth review complete with their latest "Icon" shearing handpiece. Unfortunately prevailing weather conditions prevented us from any serious degree of shearing use. (In fact the moment we unpacked it, it stared to rain!)

On opening the packaging the first impression of the motor unit is that here is a product, which suggests it is a thoroughly professional and serious bit of kit! The motor unit is totally enclosed in an attractively shaped and robustly constructed outer casing made from reinforced glass fibre to give it extra resistance to accidental damage such as being dropped! Bearing in mind the normal weight of such motors it is pleasantly lightweight and easy to handle (6.5kgs).

The shearing unit is designed to be suspended by either a strong rope or chain. (You can also get a wall-mounting bracket as an optional extra.) There is an adequate hole in the centre of the handle to accommodate either. Naturally before use you should check to make sure the power unit is securely suspended! During the operation of shearing end users should observe the normal safety precautions at all times. (These are fully described in the operating manual)

Assembling the flexible shaft to the motor units coupling is a delight to operate. It is pleasantly straightforward and simple to effect without any degree of difficulty thanks to the fast "snap-on/off" thread-free system (one vividly recalls the hassle associated with attaching flexible drives on the earlier machines back in the last century!)

With the flexible drive coupling inserted into the shearing units couplings you simply depress the spring-loaded button, slide the shaft upward and the button clicks into the circular slot and the drive is duly engaged.

The material of the outer sleeve of the flexible shaft is neoprene. The inner sleeve contains of several metal spirals. The flexible shaft is slender, it measures approximately some ¾-inch (around 19mm) in diameter, and is nicely supple in its movement.

During our trials we tried it fitted with the new version of the "Icon" handpiece and were impressed with the ease of overall handling.

Before switching the machine on with the intention of use it is important to oil the flexible drive, and it is further recommend that oil should be applied at least each time you change the cutters on the handpiece. The flexible drive is fitted with sealed and permanently lubricated ball bearings. The rotating bore must however be greased at regular intervals (approximately after 100 hours of use or at least every two years.) This is done by dismantling the flexible drive in order to remove any old grease residue from the shaft bore. Once cleaned out re-lubricate the whole length of the shaft bore with fresh high quality mineral grease.

Once connected to the mains power supply the on/off switch is controlled by a good strong 12mm diameter cord, which gives a very positive response to a single pull. We duly noted the sharp and positive response to both a "pull on" as well as a "pull off" Once switched on the motor runs smoothly with low pitch. Should for any reason the power supply be interrupted whilst the motor and shaft are running, the motor switched off automatically for safety reason. This means therefore that to re-start the machine once the power is resumed the cord needs to be re-pulled.

Like the EVO shearing machine, the Heiniger ONE is also fitted with the unique electronic safety device, which stops the motor in case of a handpiece lockup. It also uses the same powerful motor. Once again, Heiniger engineers have protected motor, capacitor and the electronic by using an attractive and sturdy glass fibre reinforced housing.

Installing the machine is a very easy task, thanks to its handgrip, which is compatible to most of the shearing gallows already existing out in the market. The Heiniger ONE can also simply be attached with a cord, as the machine can swing since it's exclusively meant to be used with flexible drives.

Once you are set up and make a start on a few "yows" shearing is nice and smooth with the handpiece and as you progress in the task of removing wool one hears the machine motor sweetly running suggesting it can go one all day if you can keep up!

Another advantage with Heiniger products - although you can in fairness use their excellent cutter and combs on most other makes of shearing machine - is the really awesome range of combs. No matter what the conditions or the type of sheep, they seem to have a super selection of blades to cope, including specialist combs for Mohair and Alpacas.

Over the years Heiniger have built for themselves a solid reputation for all their products and not least for their shearing equipment. Today whether it is shearing machines, hand pieces or cutters and combs, Heiniger can challenge any competitor on product quality and price. The result is to be seen in the annual increase in the sale Heiniger machines at the expense of their competitors and the sheer numbers of UK farmers who now use a wide range of "Heiniger products."

CONCLUSION:
The Heiniger "ONE" comes on to the market as the ideal machine for the farmer come flock owner with sheep numbers, which call for something more powerful and easier to use than the motor in the handpiece.

A delight to shear with, totally professional, built with a pedigree of engineering excellence,

Those who are in the market for a "quality-shearing" machine need look no further!

© PEASRIDGE 2004