A self-propelled diet feeder might seem like a luxury, but an increasing number of European farmers think the figures stack up, even on smaller scale dairy units. Strautmann’s Sherpa has been designed as a lower-cost option for just that market — and now it’s coming to the UK
Self-propelled feeder wagons have struggled to grab much of a foothold on British and Irish shores, but on the Continent it’s a different story. In Germany, France and Holland they’re an increasingly common sight — not only on the largest dairy units but also on smaller scale set-ups.
That’s due, in part, to the manufacturers of these high-tech mixers developing smaller, more affordable machines. German company Strautmann is one such firm. It has responded to market demand with the introduction of its two single-auger Sherpa models — due to start arriving in the UK this autumn alongside larger SF machines courtesy of UK importer OPICO. As the numbering suggests, the 1201 has a capacity of 12m³ while the larger 1401 model stretches to 14m³ — and it’s the latter one that we got our hands on for this test.
Vital stats are fairly straightforward. The muscle is provided by a Perkins four-pot capable of pumping out a maximum of 144hp. It drives a series of Rexroth hydraulic pumps that power the hydrostatic transmission, the mixing auger, the cutting/loading rotor and all of the ancillaries. There’s not a single direct mechanical driveline on the machine; everything runs on oil. Weighing in at 10.3t empty, the Sherpa is 8.25m long but is capable of swinging around within 5.8m thanks to steering axles front and rear.
In terms of layout, the cab hangs a long way out forward of the front axle, tucked in justbehind the cutting head. The engine is positioned just behind the cockpit, which provided Sherpa’s designers with something of a challenge on sound deadening. From the outside it’s really loud. Indeed, cutting silage at the clamp, shuttling around the yard and feeding out in the cubicle shed, it runs at between 91dB(A) and 97d(B)A. However, up in the cab only 75dB(A) gets through to the driver’s ears courtesy of decent insulation. Strautmann says it’s working with Perkins to further muffle the Sherpa’s bark.
