Dean Taylor: Bright buoy's a brilliant idea

CeeMee director Dell Wilkins with the Hose Buoy that was presented in the Grassroots Innovation Centre at Fieldays.

If sharemilking couple Neil McKinley and Dell Wilkins see a problem on the farm at Ngakuru, they like to solve it. One of the problems they observed was the injuries and close calls for farmers and workers not seeing the temporary fencing commonly used on the farm.

The solution - a high-visibility, lightweight, portable barrier for controlling livestock that also has applications for places like worksites.

The CeeMee Click is an expandable barrier that comes in a choice of six colours and four lengths.

It is easy to store, easy to use and robust.

On the market, it was presented in the Innovation Launch category at Fieldays.

The couple also presented a new concept in the Grassroots category -- the CeeMee Hose Buoy.

Another high-visibility product, the Hose Buoy is designed to be fitted on to effluent pipes to identify the line.

The couple say it helps workers and contractors to avoid damaging the pipe when they are working.

A simple solution, it was well received at Fieldays and has encouraged the couple to take it to the market.

During practical testing contractors said it made their job easier and the couple also discovered other benefits.

They found the pipe fitted with the Hose Buoy was easier to tow as the shape of the buoy mitigated against snagging and kept the pipe off the ground.

It was also reasoned and shown that if the buoy was fitted by the camlock it would keep it off the ground, protect it from damage and quickly show where the joins were.

The couple say the cost of the buoys outweighs the cost of replacing damaged effluent pipe parts or downtime for workers or contractors if they hit a line and damage it or equipment.

They add that it is also a safety feature and could prevent accidents.

The Hose Buoy is made in two parts, of the same high-density plastic as the effluent pipes.

The two halves are secured with zinc nuts and bolts. Once fitted correctly it won't slip.

The CeeMee Hose Buoy is expected to be on the market within weeks.

Keep an eye on ceemee.co.nz or the Facebook page to keep up-to-date.