Improving existing Handpieces

A big part of this AWI project is research into improving existing shearing handpieces

This will address many OH&S issues in the shearing shed.

Handpiece research focuses on:

• 'dead man' safety cut-off switches;
• lightweight electric drive mechanisms.

Shearing shed design

AWI is promoting best practice shearing sheds that improve wool harvesting productivity, OH&S and workflow both for conventional shearing and new harvesting technologies.

The company has collated information about building new or improving existing shearing sheds and has made this available to industry as an online resource.

AWI has developed and patented a mobile, collapsible sheep shelter (PDF 426Kb) that has now been made freely available to the wool industry.

Crutching trailers

AWI and the Kondinin Group have published a comparison of available crutching systems (see Kondinin website to download), as well as a best design guide for manufacturers and operators (PDF 351Kb).

These comparisons and guidelines cover productivity, OH&S and animal welfare aspects of commercially available crutching cradles.