Sheep clipper: features of choice and use
All sheep have to be sheared, regardless of breed and purpose. Therefore, shears and a sheep shearing machine are indispensable tools in the household of any sheep breeder.
All sheep need a shearing. Even beef or fat-tailed breeds that are not bred for wool at all need this procedure. If the growth of the pile is left unchecked, over time it begins to get dirty and fall off. Such wool no longer decorates the sheep, but is a threat to its health. Without drying out after getting wet, the coat can lead to hypothermia and illness. Parasites are brought in in the pile, the skin under the dirty wool does not breathe and ticks, fleas, fly larvae feel great on it.
Features and timing of sheep shearing
How many times a year are sheep sheared? When is the best time for the procedure? Most breeds are trimmed twice a year:
- in spring or at the very beginning of June;
- in August or early September.
The choice of this time is not accidental. A sheep deprived of its wool in the cold season will certainly freeze and get sick. If a sheep breeder picks up a sheep shearing machine, when it is warm enough outside both day and night, the risk of negative consequences is extremely small.
Mechanization of wool removal:
- speeds up the process;
- minimizes physical activity on a person;
- practically no risk to animals.
How to choose sheep shearing equipment? What to look for when buying, and which models are trustworthy?
Criteria for choosing a sheep shearing machine
Today, sheep breeders have at their disposal a lot of efficient, high-quality and durable sheep shearing machines. When choosing from a number of proposals, you should pay attention:
- on the power of the device, which largely determines the productivity, speed of work and the number of animals that can be trimmed in one session;
- to the level of the noise produced by the machine, which can scare rather nervous sheep and disrupt the whole procedure;
- for the strength and reliability of the sheep shearing machine, its maintainability, the ability to sharpen knives and replace other parts subject to wear.
The last point is extremely important, since foreign samples of such equipment are not distinguished by a democratic price, and it is not always available and easy to find spare parts or knives for them. Based on such conclusions, many sheep breeders prefer Russian-made sheep shearing machines, the price of which without a current converter is lower than European counterparts, but the maintainability is several times higher.
Sheep shearing machine MSU 200
One of the most famous models among sheep breeders in Russia and CIS countries is the sheep shearing machine MSU 200. The manufacturer of the equipment "Aktyubinskselmash" offers a set of the machine itself and the current frequency converter equipment necessary for operation.The knives are included in the delivery set and can be replaced and re-sharpened. A flexible cable connects the sheep shearing machine to the current converter, the device is turned off and on by pressing a button.
The model is distinguished by record reliability and ease of use. The asynchronous motor of the machine does not heat up and makes it possible to shear animals without interruption in any temperature and climatic conditions. With sufficient experience, the shearer processes up to 160 heads per working day.
If necessary, replaceable sets of knives and combs, as well as equipment for sharpening them, can be purchased from the manufacturer. MSU 200 is a machine for shearing sheep both in private backyards and in large farms.
In addition to this equipment, machines of Swiss, German, and English production are used for shearing sheep in our country. These are samples worthy of choice, but, unfortunately, recently the prices for the products of European companies have seriously increased. Therefore, sheep farmers are looking for alternatives among the models of China and other Asian countries.
Foreign Sheep Clippers
Among the models of Chinese production, the Dimi series hair clippers from ZXS are popular. This equipment is inexpensive, functional and can handle the most difficult wool from the point of view of experienced shearers.
The manufacturer offers a wide range of products, and most of the products have:
- reduced noise level;
- light weight, allowing you not to get tired for a long time and maintain productivity throughout the entire work shift;
- additional cooling so that the knives and the entire apparatus do not overheat;
- comfortable handle for work.
Monella cars are just as inexpensive and convenient. The only drawback of Chinese-made devices is the insufficient quality of the steel of the knives, so their re-sharpening turns out to be laborious and sometimes ineffective.
Hair clippers produced under the Japanese brand Takumi are distinguished by high quality steel. It is lightweight, ergonomic equipment with low noise levels and excellent durability.
Swiss and German devices from the GTS and Liscop brands are consistently reliable. they have earned many positive reviews, but the price of such machines sometimes makes them inaccessible to owners of small farms. To save money, experienced sheep breeders advise purchasing the products of these companies, produced under license in China and other countries, as well as replacing knives with cheaper counterparts.
Sheep clipper care
No matter how durable and high-quality the machine is, it will quickly fail if not looked after. The device requires especially careful attention after completing a haircut.
How is this equipment maintained and the sheep clipper cleaned? You just need to follow the recommendations:
- After use, the knives are thoroughly cleaned of dirt and fragments of wool stuck on the metal. For this, it is convenient to use the small brush supplied with the machine.
- The clipper is wiped with a soft cloth, if necessary, the working parts are lubricated and packed for further storage.
- Be sure to lubricate the knives, and if they are not sharp enough, then they must be sharpened before storage.
- It is better if the points are covered with special caps, this will reduce the risk of damage to both the knives and the shearer's hands when removing the tool.
Careful attitude and adherence to safety measures will help turn even an inexpensive sheep clipper into a convenient reliable tool in the hands of an experienced sheep breeder. A video about shearing sheep with a machine for beginners will help to master a complex, but necessary procedure for those who are just mastering the basics of sheep breeding.