Earlier this year, a family trust headed by 25-year-old Western Australian diesel mechanic Kevin Crane purchased CGS Engineering which included the contract to commercialise the Harrington Seed Destructor.
The Harrington Seed Destructor is an Australian invention designed to destroy weed seeds during harvest. The project to commercialise this machine is funded and operated by the Grain Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), also the owner of the its patent.?
When Mr Crane received the contract to commercialise the Harrington Seed Destructor, he looked at several engine options, but decided to continue using the Isuzu 200 horsepower 4HK1 diesel engine.
“They’re excellent engines, really simple to install, and they have good remote control systems,” he explained. “When we took over the project, the GRDC said as long as we’re happy relying on Isuzu diesel engines then we should continue to use them – so we did.
Mr Crane and his team have since redesigned the entire engine bay to simplify the process of installing the Isuzu diesel engines.
He added, “Use of the 4HK1 diesel engine has led to a significant reduction in vibration compared to previous models used, putting us that one step closer to commercialisation.”
Modifications to the 4HK1, including bigger holes in the radiator and a larger air filter, have assisted in increasing airflow and preventing blockages in dry and dusty conditions.
Isuzu Industrial and Marine Engines Manager, Dean Whitford, is a key supporter of the project and has assisted with engine modifications. “Naturally there have been some hurdles along the way, particularly due to the harsh environment this equipment operates in, but we’ve been able to help them overcome these,” he explained. “It’s an exciting project to be involved in, one that will revolutionise crop management in this country.”??
Currently, there are four prototypes fitted with Isuzu engine technology. Together with the Western Australia Herbicide Resistance Initiative, the company is continuing to test these prototypes in various locations including WA’s northern wheat belt. If testing is successful, Mr Crane expects a limited commercial release of models to be available within two years.