Slurry agitators. Best one to purchase.

An nc 3000 would be ideal if going new, cross agitators seem a well made machine either. They seem to be the pick of them. To be honest I wouldn’t think it’s worth investing for a three bay shed but everyone to their own. It’s a hungry machine power wise and will take washing and someone to draw water in most instances.

Agitating is a power hungry job. 90hp really isn't enough. Contractor makes it look easy but he's going to be using a 6 cylinder tractor with a bigger agitator that justs horses it's way through it.

Yes you could get it done with a smaller agitator but you'll still burn far more diesel than a 200hp tractor plus you could end up fu**ing up your tractor.

Add on the price of a slurry tank to spread too, plus if you've only 1 tractor it's a pure balls hitching on and off an agitator if you have to go and get more water. An agitator is just about the most awkward piece of gear to hook onto a tractor.

I bought a HiSpec about 6 years ago. They have a version for 80-110hp tractor (just means the gearbox has a lower ratio) I'm using a 110hp case and it gives it all it's time to get the job done. Cost €3200 back then, fully Galvanized. It's over €5k for a new one today

Have a Conor or a Belmac (not certain which) here running off 100HP. My father would always do the agitating himself but I got my contractor in to do it last year. He had 2 tanks done in an hour and a half. Would normally take the day with our own between hitching on and off tank for water. He didn't cost much more than the diesel for my own tractor and none of the hardship. Had to bring in a few tanks of water for him but that was it.

Used the agitator later in the year for the smaller mixes and is dead handy for that. Usually turn the shoots in for a week when the cattle are out so the stuff is very wet anyway. Will get contractor to do the first round of agitation from now on though and just give it a spin myself when I want a few loads during the year.

Maybe if pick up a suitable second hand you might manage similar but for the first mix it is pure hardship on tractor and man

A stir or 2 in the winter and early spring is a great job. Just makes it easier to move. Load of water. Either from the gutters on leave a trough running over night. The tap of a water trough turned on running on night rate is dirt cheap and a quick way of getting water into the tank. Leaving a full tank unstirred until April may or June, with cattle gone out, is a receipe for trouble. A heavy crust forms, the water sink and solids float and start to dry. When cattle are in the shed they are stirring a bit every time dung and urine goes into the tank. That stir for 15 mins in a small 3 bay tank in Jan or Feb and again in March, could be difference in sparing half a day agitating when going to empty the tank

I do all my own slurry here, over 250k gallons. Traded a 20year old small abbey for a bit bigger redrock 18 months ago. Had to give 3k with it. Be very careful with secondhands as they are machine, that wouldnt get regular care in many places.

Wouldnt be without it as it gives great flexibility as to when slurry goes out, according to ground conditions and growth. Relying on contractor is tricky as the numbers of them around here are dropping and they have many irons in the fire

The chain driven major agitators were easily worked with 90 hp and did an excellent job . I had one up to a couple of years ago

We have used slurry bugs in the past and they did help with the stirring and smell. However recent years, we have been tight on space and took out a few loads of water from the tank, below the crust. Makes it pure torture to stir after.

If you have space to add water or will makes things easier to stir.

That's the one, had an abbey 250. Night and day between them.

What's contractor's charging for mixing and spreading?

I know the cross is just over 270 degrees.

Had a call last night from a man looking for his tanks to be agitated.his usual contractor just change his old agitator for a new cross and now can't get the prop to fit into his man holes

it’s just under 800 mm