Digging in the Wheatbelt and Avon Valley
Sandplain, loam and hardpan clay; salt-affected valleys. Dust and heat; harvest bans; long distances.
East of the Scarp the Avon Valley opens into the Wheatbelt: Northam, York, Toodyay, Merredin, Kellerberrin, Narrogin and hundreds of farming districts along Great Eastern and Great Southern Highways. Rippa Perth's yard in Bellevue sits on Great Eastern Highway, so it is on the way into town for most of the region.
What the ground does
The Avon Valley is sandy loam over clay with granite on the valley sides. The central Wheatbelt is sandplain, loam and hardpan clay that is nearly impossible to dig dry and workable for a few weeks after the break of season. Toward Narrogin and Wagin the valleys are salt-affected and drainage and contour banks are constant work. Dust chokes air filters and radiators; summer heat pushes hydraulic temperatures.
Why a compact machine on a big farm
The tractor and loader are already there. What is missing is a small, precise digger for trenching poly to troughs, cleaning soaks, repairing yards, footings for machinery sheds and clearing drain lines, that can go on the ute to a paddock a truck cannot reach.
Machines and attachments that suit
The R22 PRO and R32 PRO handle trenching, footings and soaks; the R57 PRO desilts dams and builds contour banks. Full-size RS10 and RS20 loaders suit yards, sheds and the trencher and rotary drill attachments.
Rules that matter
During a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban, machinery use in paddocks is prohibited. Check your shire's firebreak notice and Emergency WA before starting a machine from November on. See the WA earthmoving calendar.