What Size Slurry Tanker Do You Really Need?
Slurry tankers are a great choice for spreading effluent nutrients over the farm. There’s a lot of things to consider in selecting the right make and model to suit your needs, and one of the most important things is size.
So how do you determine what size slurry tanker would be ideal for your dairy farm?
In most instances, bigger really is better. Don’t be too conservative. Go for a bigger tanker that fits within your requirements. When we’re asked to recommend a tanker size there’s four areas of the farming operation we look at…
Tractor Size
Your tractor size will determine how much is safe to pull. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to handle 100L per HP (ie. an 80HP tractor should be able to handle an 8,000L slurry tanker). This is just a general rule, and other considerations such as topography and the type of braking axles on the tanker may need to be factored in. It is always best to check with the slurry tanker supplier for their recommendations.
Topography
If you have a hilly landscape, safety and the risk of rollover need to be considered. As liquid moves from side to side, stability becomes additionally important as do the brakes! If gravity is not on your side, you may want to consider a slightly smaller size. However if your land is mainly flat, going the next size up may be a better option.