Farms & Farm Machinery #401

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
60 Farms & Farm Machinery