‘MarshN' rings are now a common sight in hay paddocks throughout the country, and even in Australia – but they originate, not from outer-space, but from a workshop near Paengaroa.

Neville Marsh's invention for rakes saves contractors thousands of dollars in repairs and time.

Neville Marsh invented the rings six years ago to reduce damage to hay rakes used in his own contracting business, but they've proved so effective many dealers are fitting them to new rakes before they leave the yard.

'Rakes were continually being broken by hitting fences or even power pylons. When they break it's expensive to repair them – but worse than that, it takes the rake, which is a crucial piece of equipment in the haymaking process, out of operation.”

Neville spent months designing, then making the first ring, from spring steel. One of the biggest challenges was to fit it to the circular rakes in a way that allowed for movement.

This required Neville to cut slots in the steel and machine some special parts, including washers which are saucer-shaped, to reduce the surface subjected to wear.

The rings are fitted permanently to the rakes and Neville refers to them as 'crash bars” because they reduce damage.

'They are gaining popularity in Australia and we've had interest from the UK too.”

The design has been patented by Neville, who won a New Zealand Contractors Federation Award for the invention.

The rings are not all Neville has invented. His weigh bridges are also widely used in the contracting business.

Neville's aim in building the first one was to give his clients accurate information about the weight of maize harvested, or other feeds and farm inputs made and/or delivered
by his company.

'Building the 30 tonne weigh bridge wasn't too hard, but when I wanted to build a 50 tonne version, most people said it couldn't be done,” says Neville, who, after working on the problem for some time, woke up one morning with the solution.

'It was a bit like making a bridge stronger, by adding more stringers.”

The weigh bridges, which weigh about two tonne each, are manufactured at Neville Marsh Contracting's yard in Old Coach Rd. The portable, certified bridge 'floats” on a specially-designed frame, has scales in four corners, and can weigh a truck and trailer separately if required.

Many contractors, including Neville Marsh, have the weigh bridges on harvest sites so each truck can be accurately weighed before leaving, ensuring not only that the client knows exactly how much feed is being delivered, but also vehicles are not over the permitted weight for the road.

The Marsh Portable Weighbridge Systems, which provide an affordable and easy to set up certified weighbridge system, are available for purchase or for hire.