All sheep, regardless of breed, need to be sheared. This is essential for their health and proper development. Let's look at how to shear sheep using a special device.
Advantages of Sheep Shearing Machine
Shearing sheep isn't just about selling their wool. It's also primarily a matter of animal hygiene. If the wool isn't controlled, it will mat and become covered in dirt. This matting prevents the sheep's skin from breathing, making it susceptible to fleas and ticks, and the wool itself can become infested with parasites.
Shearing is usually done with special scissors or clippers. If there are only a few animals, they can be sheared by hand, but if there are dozens of sheep, it's better to use clippers.
What does using the machine give you:
- the haircut process itself is accelerated;
- the risk of injuring animals is reduced to almost a minimum, since the blades of the tool do not come into contact with the sheepskin and do not pull the fur;
- no need to put in much physical effort;
- There are no breaks in the hair, which means the structure of the coat and its quality are preserved.
Types of sheep shearing machines
Hair clippers are divided into two types:
- MechanicalThese are improved scissors, but with a higher-quality blade and a comfortable handle. They come in a variety of shapes and lengths. Models from the French brand Ukal and the German brand Kerbl are considered the highest quality.
- Electric. They closely resemble human hair clippers in appearance. They offer improved performance compared to mechanical devices.
Farmers with large herds often opt for electric clippers because they last longer and significantly speed up the shearing process.
What criteria should I use to choose a machine?
Even the best electric model can fail to perform its intended purpose if chosen incorrectly. Let's look at the nuances to consider when purchasing a haircut tool.
So, you need to look at:
- Power. The operating speed and productivity, i.e., the number of animals treated per session, depend on this. For example, for 50 sheep, a device with a power of 180-220 watts would be optimal.
- Ease of use and repairs. Any washing machine requires lubrication, cleaning, and periodic replacement of parts. If the model has a complex design, any repairs can only be carried out by specialists, while a simple machine can be repaired independently.
- Knives. Their blades should be sharp and straight, without nicks. This is crucial, as improper sharpening can injure the animal or damage the fur itself. It's a good idea to include replacement blades.
- Availability of spare parts. When a device breaks down, individual parts often need to be replaced. It's important to have them readily available, rather than having to search for them across the country and beyond.
- Noise level. Since sheep are skittish creatures, loud noises can cause them to panic, making it difficult to shear them safely. The optimal level for this type of shearing is up to 80 dB.
- Presence of a reset fuse. Heavy use can cause equipment to overheat and break down. A fuse protects the machine from such problems, thereby extending its lifespan.
- The warranty and its duration. Warranties are usually provided by reputable companies. The warranty period can range from 6 to 18 months depending on the machine model.
- Country of originToday, machines of domestic, Swiss, American, and German manufacture have proven themselves to be effective.
When choosing a hair clipper, check the availability of the brand's service centers in your area. Also, inquire about the availability of replacement blades and other necessary clipper parts.
Watch the video to learn how to choose the right sheep shearing clipper:
Popular car models
When choosing a sheep shearing machine, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the variety of models. Today, many companies offer a wide range of products to suit every budget and taste. The key is choosing the right machine.
Made in Russia and the CIS
The Russian Federation and the CIS countries produce many high-quality products, including sheep shearing equipment. Let's take a look at the best models.
Well-known models produced in the CIS:
| Brand name | Country | Characteristics | Guarantee | Price |
| MSU-200 | Kazakhstan, Aktyubinskselmash |
| 1 year | 14-16 thousand rubles |
| ASI-101 | Kazakhstan, Aktyubinskselmash |
| 1 year | about 35 thousand rubles |
| ESA-1D-I | Kazakhstan |
| 1 year | 30-35 thousand rubles |
Foreign production
Foreign manufacturers offer several good and reliable models. Let's take a closer look at them.
Popular foreign-made models:
| Brand name | Country | Characteristics | Guarantee | Price |
| Kaison-500 | USA |
| 1 year | 10-12 thousand rubles |
| Berger F6-SA | China |
| 1 year | about 22 thousand rubles |
| VS84-S | Switzerland (assembled in China) |
| 1 year | 6.5-7 thousand rubles |
| Takumi F7 — Professional | Japan |
| 1 year | 9-10 thousand rubles |
| Monella F7 | China |
| 18 months | about 10 thousand rubles |
Top 3 best models
Among the wide variety of hair clipper models, some that are particularly popular among consumers stand out. These include Swiss, German, and Russian-made devices.
GTS-2012
The Swiss GTS-2012 sheep shearing machine has gained considerable popularity among farmers. Its 650-watt motor allows for long-lasting operation, shearing up to 1,500 sheep per season. Two built-in cooling fans prevent the machine from overheating. The noise level is 80 dB, ensuring the sheep feel comfortable while being sheared.
Please note that the kit does not include replacement blades, and original blades must be ordered separately. Purchase the clipper with all consumables included. It comes with a one-year warranty and costs approximately 7,000-9,000 rubles.
Liscop Profi Line
The Liscop Profi Line is a German brand. Its advantages include reliability, high productivity (approximately 200 sheep sheared per season), ease of use, and compact size. The tool comes with a 12-month warranty.
MSU-200
The MSU-200 is a well-known and widely used domestically produced shearing machine. Its asynchronous motor allows for 10-12 hours of shearing per day (approximately 100-160 sheep).
Its power is 90 watts, and its rotation speed is 2100-3000 rpm. The noise level is 83 dB, and the kit includes knives that can be replaced and resharpened by the manufacturer. The MSU-200 is renowned for its reliability and ease of use.
Terms of Use
Sheep are sheared twice a year: in late spring to early summer, and again in late summer to early fall. The shearing period should be warm and without sudden temperature changes. Fine-wool sheep can be sheared once a year.
- × Before shearing, sheep must be fasted for 12 hours to reduce stress and prevent injury.
- × Be sure to check that you have all the necessary tools to restrain the animal to prevent it from escaping or getting injured.
Remain calm during the procedure, otherwise your anxiety will be transmitted to the animal. The room itself should be protected from wind and rain, and the sheep's fleece should be dry.
- ✓ The room temperature should be at least 15°C to prevent stress in animals.
- ✓ Air humidity should not exceed 70% for comfortable working with wool.
To make the process easier, have two assistants: one to hold the sheep and one to remove the wool. Before the procedure, check the condition of the sheep, clean the clippers, and sharpen the blades.
Rules for using the machine:
- Before you start cutting, drop a little mineral oil onto the blades - you can repeat this procedure every 30 minutes;
- During operation, clean the machine from sweat and fat secretions of each animal - for half a minute, lower the working machine into laundry soap dissolved in water, while only wetting the blade, all other parts should remain dry;
- Monitor the heating of the tool and the voltage level – use a stabilizer if possible.
Start shearing the sheep's body parts from the belly, then move to one side and a hind leg. Then work the sheep's chest and neck, its back, then the other side, the front legs, and the remaining hind leg.
When working, try not to pass the device over the same area twice. Otherwise, this will negatively impact the quality of the sheep's coat. Shear the sheep as close to the skin as possible, but be careful not to injure the animal.
Be careful around the animal's belly, scrotum, and udder. These areas have very sensitive skin, making it easy to injure the lamb.
The entire sheep shearing process can be seen in the video below:
Sheep shearing machine maintenance
To ensure the device lasts a long time, it needs proper care. This is especially true immediately after grooming. After this process:
- clean the knives from dirt and hair residue - for this, use the brush from the set or, if you don’t have one, take a toothbrush with soft bristles;
- If the blades are dull, sharpen them;
- wipe the machine body with a soft, clean cloth;
- lubricate all working parts with machine oil;
- Put on protective elements - hide the blades in the caps and the clipper in the case.
- • Use only specialized oils to lubricate the blades to extend their service life.
- • After each haircut, completely disassemble and clean the clipper to prevent the accumulation of hair and dirt.
Store the tool in a dry place. Do not use unsuitable knives, and sharpen blades only on specialized sharpening equipment. Following safety precautions will ensure your clipper will continue to function for many years.
A sheep shearing machine is an indispensable tool for a sheep farmer. Regardless of the model, proper maintenance is essential to ensure shearing your sheep without any hassle.