Farming Monthly National November 2016 | Page 37

| Slurry Durable Bauer Magnum SX for reliable, low maintenance slurry and AD digestate pumping applications The ‘beating heart’ of many a contractor’s umbilical system for applying slurry and AD plant digestate to the land is a Bauer Magnum SX2000 centrifugal pump. owered by an auxiliary diesel engine or tractor pto, its role is to extract liquid from store and send it on its way to distant field application sites – with a booster pump installed part way along the supply pipe if necessary. Having a reliable pump with plenty of capacity is essential to get the best performance out of an umbilical system, which has the big attraction of relieving fields of heavy tankers and the soil compaction that can be caused with even the biggest and best flotation tyres fitted. Reliability is another key asset and contractors often say they are comfortable operating Magnum SX pumps remotely because they have been so reliable over the years – they are tough, hard-wearing and need very little routine attention or adjustment. The Magnum SX series pumps have a P www.farmingmonthly.co.uk number of significant improvements over the SM series they replaced. Back vanes on the cast impeller keep the enlarged seal area free of debris and turbulence inside the impeller housing has been reduced by eliminating internal bolt heads. Four cast iron legs on the spur gear housing make it easier to mount the complete assembly securely in the correct location, while the increased number of splines on the 32mm drive shaft provides a high input power rating. There are three models – SX1000 tractormounted, SX2000 engine-driven and SX2600 electric motor-driven – all capable of handling up to 12% solids thanks to an effective chopping action. Auto pressure regulation and self-priming are optional. The self-priming system includes a small pump with mechanical, hydraulic or electric drive, and a syphon on the suction side protecting the vacuum pump. Any remaining liquid automatically drains into the suction stream as soon as the pump starts to deliver. On the delivery side, a non-return valve is closed during priming and opens automatically when the pump gets going. Such is the output potential of Bauer Magnum SX pumps that contractors upgrading to these units may need to invest in bigger diameter hose to exploit the pumps’ performance potential in full For couplings, there is no better choice than Bauer HK, the original quick and secure connection system for rigid and flexible mobile pipes available in seven sizes for hoses or pipes of 49mm to 194mm diameter. Manufactured from hot-dipped galvanized steel, the original Bauer coupling has no loose parts and needs no tools, and with up to 30deg articulation of the coupling joint, there is no need for perfect alignment. November 2016 | Farming Monthly | 37