Local inventors help farmers

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 47, 13 June 1974, Page 1

Local inventors help farmers

Two Taupo men are displaying products at the national farm field days which began in Hamilton today. Both pieces of machinery were designed and manufactured in Taupo , by Mr Norm Roberts and Mr Jack Penny. Mr Roberts is showing his self-feeding forage box, while Mr Penny is demonstrating his travelling irrigator. Ideas for the equipment were conceived some years ago. Since then both men have established sound businesses based on their inventions. Mr Roberts' first feeder was made for Lochinver

Station four years ago. The workings of the feeder are similar to those used overseas, with several improvements adapted by Mr Roberts to suit home conditions. His machine's main difference is in the hydraulic workings. Others use power takeoff methods, but by using hydraulics Mr Roberts says it eliminates the possible necessity of another tractor. He has designed one unit which is available with three feed systems and two capacity sizes. Mr Roberts has seven in the North Island and, he says, they have proved their worth. Mr Roberts said he has

prospects for the sale of another 40 over next season. Mr Roberts believes the field days "will put the clinch on the whole thing." Mr Penny' s concept for a travelling irrigator started with a prototype for the field days three years ago. Since then he has never looked back. Farmers are definitely interested in this type of irrigation, he said. He has machines in operation all over the Auckland and Bay of Plenty areas. Mr Penny is fully committed with manufacturing irrigators — and has firm orders for another 50 for the coming season.