Farms & Farm Machinery #401
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Review<br />
With the ability to feed pretty much anything you want, Hustler’s<br />
Combi RX218 feed wagon is big and bold, and very capable at what<br />
it does<br />
Words Jaiden Drought<br />
Images Oliver Brunton<br />
Ultimate<br />
all-rounder<br />
F<br />
or 60 years now, Hustler has been<br />
redesigning its machinery line-up into<br />
sleek-looking, ‘outside the box’ designs,<br />
incorporating the ideas and on the ground opinions<br />
of the very people who purchase and use the<br />
machinery. This, along with the recent ‘MiNT Edition’<br />
colour scheme change, has farmers highly invested<br />
in the launch of the new Hustler RX wagon range,<br />
moreso the big daddy: the RX218.<br />
I’ve spent some considerable time with this<br />
wagon, which is the result of six years of thoughtful<br />
research, development and refinement. In true<br />
Hustler style, the company opted to do something<br />
more creative than the norm to release this<br />
machine – investing in a roadshow around New<br />
Zealand, taking the RX218 to farms from the bottom<br />
of the South Island to the top of the North Island.<br />
So, what makes the RX218 so special? The beauty<br />
of the RX is that it will feed almost anything or a<br />
combination thereof.<br />
That’s what makes it so popular; particularly<br />
for South Island farmers who feed bales, grass/<br />
whole crop silage, maize, root crops, or any other<br />
concentrated feeds in large quantities to mobs all<br />
over the district.<br />
Customers want a hardworking, simple and bulk<br />
capacity machine. Hustler is upfront in saying that if<br />
you want to blend several feeds plus trace minerals<br />
and chop bales, then buy a mixer. If you want to feed<br />
a large variety of feeds in the paddock at all times<br />
of the year, and sometimes on the feed pad, with<br />
a simple reliable feeder that’s easy to use and isn’t<br />
going to need a digger if you get stuck, then the RX is<br />
a more sensible option.<br />
CONCEPT<br />
The Combi RX218 delivers two wagon concepts<br />
in one. The front right-hand chain elevator and<br />
side chain feed keeps forage moving to the elevator.<br />
Once this feed is exhausted, the rear pusher brings<br />
forward another chunk to be side shifted to the<br />
elevator. The machine delivers a huge 26 cubic<br />
metre heaped load capacity.<br />
A standout of the system is that the bulk of the<br />
weight isn’t moved all at once (saving chains) and<br />
the rear compartment (where the bulk of the feed<br />
is) is moved by two internally-ported rams. This<br />
means fewer hoses, no grease and no moving parts.<br />
Hydraulics beat chains all day in my opinion. The<br />
flat floor runs seamlessly between the rear bed and<br />
the cross conveyor. The bin allows two four-foot<br />
silage bales to easily be stacked across the width<br />
of the machine. This delivers the ability to keep a<br />
short overall length and low loading height, which<br />
Hustler is traditionally popular for.<br />
The only small problem with the rear pusher<br />
is the slot in the floor where the door slides. This<br />
means you can’t put concentrates like PK straight<br />
on the bottom to be mixed and maize silage will lose<br />
a small amount (which can be easily picked up in<br />
less than a shovel full), whereas silage presents no<br />
problems. If you do want to add feeds like PK, simply<br />
add maize or some other silage onto the bottom<br />
first, then the PK in the middle. As it goes through<br />
the chain elevator, the feed mixes very well.<br />
FEEDPAD KIT<br />
Bulk silage, maize and layered concentrates are a<br />
doddle to feed on the pad with the Hustler Combi<br />
RX218. The large elevator tilts over enough to allow<br />
significant clearance off he wall of the bin, while<br />
still enabling you to feed in the middle of the trough.<br />
Feeding bales on the pad keeps you on your toes<br />
as with all wagons. Fortunately, this is covered by a<br />
smart controller (more on that later).<br />
The elevator has a single ram for tilting. This<br />
prevents twisting of the elevator from a twin ram<br />
design (if one ram was damaged, had a leaking<br />
seal or wasn’t phased properly, and the two rams<br />
were out of sync, twisting could occur). On the RX,<br />
however, the pivot ram is tucked neatly away, as<br />
are the gearboxes, hydraulic motors, and hoses –<br />
all conveniently out of harm’s way.<br />
CONSTRUCTION<br />
The elevator and side feed chains use 12,000lb<br />
(5,443kg) roller chains with Bis-Alloy sprockets<br />
(this is Harden metal, more often used on digger<br />
and loader bucket cutting edges). The shafts use<br />
self-aligning bearings and are well covered away<br />
from acidic feed.<br />
The feed bars use two bolts on either side to<br />
connect right through the chain, so if bent or<br />
broken, do not require a chain link. Four bolts and<br />
the bar can simply be removed, and you can carry<br />
on feeding. This doesn’t impact the structural<br />
integrity of the chain and, more importantly,<br />
enables a quick fix. The chains all have adjustable<br />
tensioners, so as they wear, you can simply take up<br />
the slack again to prolong their life.<br />
The floor of the wagon is a real piece of ingenuity.<br />
Made from a durable plastic called Puck board, this<br />
hard-wearing plastic composite is made from the<br />
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