Invention the right fork for the job

Fraser Forks Fieldays team, from left: Sam and Wayne Fraser and Kim Jensen. Photo / Dean Taylor

When Wayne Fraser of Pahiatua has a job that needs doing, he likes to tackle it himself.

Sometimes that might mean inventing something to make the job easier, quicker or simply better than it was.

Such is the case with carting and storing silage on the run-off he farms.

Mr Fraser thought there would be a better way to address the main problem of damage to wrapping as the valuable feed was being carted, stacked and stored.

Other considerations were low cost, ease of use and practicality for the everyday farmer - plus it had to be front fitting.

"Lots of farmers have stiff joints, bad backs or artificial joints - so twisting and turning while on the tractor is out of the question," he says.

"Lots of attachments go on the back of tractors and it can be physically demanding."

His answer - the Fraser Forks - a set of attachments for the tractor that were easy to fit to an existing front end loader attachment.

The front fitting device immediately meant he could avoid having to constantly turn around to see the back of the tractor, which solved the first major problem.

Because the Fraser Forks are handy, easy to use and not time consuming to attach, the farmer doesn't have to undertake a major planning exercise to move balage.

And because there are no moving parts, there is no maintenance.

But that isn't where it started.

His first experiment was using alkathene pipe, bent at the ends and held in place with wire.

These proved the concept worked and from there Mr Fraser used trial and error to come up with a final design.

The concept was taken a stage further when a dairy farming mate asked for help to cart more than one bale at a time - and the Mega Range was born.

This is a system that utilises the Fraser Forks and a frame that attaches to the back of the tractor to carry extra bales, and currently comes in a one and two bale configuration - with a three bale system under development.

Sam and Wayne Fraser and mate Kim Jensen took Fraser Forks to Fieldays and were pleased with the level of interest in the new concept.

Mr Fraser says farmers were positive about the system and it has encouraged him to continue the development.

- To find out more, go to www.fraserforks.co.nz or email fraserforks@gmail.com