Shearing Handpiece – Choose the right equipment for sheep shearing and farming

Shearing Handpieces have come a long way especially when we look at the tools used during the 1800s. Hand shears were widely used and this must have been a daunting and tedious task for the shearer facing hundreds of sheep waiting to be shorn.

The equipment available when selecting a Shearing Handpiece is tailor made for both general and specific applications. The professional shearer and sheep farmer will have to take a few factors into account when selecting the Shearing Handpiece best suited to his needs. The various models and manufacturers supply the same Shearing Handpiece to both left and right handed shearers. The market also over caters electric or battery operated handpieces as well as the traditional mechanical handpiece and these come in a variety of sizes.

Electric handpieces normally consist of a small motor mounted in the rear section of the Shearing Handpiece and could vary in power output from 150 to 350 watts. The source of power is also a factor when making the buying decision as certain countries use 110 volt and others 240 volt. Selecting the correct handpiece for your countries power output is critical to prevent malfunction of the clippers. The cord is normally around 6 metres long and can be hooked to either electrical output or even a generator depending on the availability. The use of long cords is not recommended due to power loss and resulting in expensive damage from a drop in voltage to the Shearing Handpiece

The use of a battery powered Shearing Handpiece could be extremely useful for emergency situations as well as use in remote areas without energy outputs available. These 12 volt units are also manufactured with Lithium batteries for longer operational periods up to 4 hours. The use of a battery operated Shearing Handpiece is widely used to shear the fleece from a stray or to relieve the effect of a fly blown sheep. The unit is also equipped with clips to enable connection to a vehicle out in the field.

The use of your Shearing Handpiece can be determined by factors such as the type of animals that is going to be shorn and the number of animals to be shorn. Further factors such as the availability of energy and the area in which shearing will be performed could influence the choice of handpiece. The quality of the selected handpiece will enable the farmer and professional shearer to handle the task with ease and effeciency without any break downs that will impact on the operation.

The care and maintenance required and suggested will prolong the life cycle of the Shearing Handpiece and there are a few simple steps to make this equipment more functional and efficient. By oiling the handpiece regularly and properly, by maintaining the proper tension on the cutter the handpiece will last a lot longer and be more comfortable to use without over heating.