SPRINGBOK RANGE - SPR-1200-1500-1800-RS
ROTARY SLASHER
The Springbok Rotary Slasher Range is the definitive choice for farmers seeking a perfect balance of rugged durability and precision vegetation control. Engineered for the toughest African conditions, these units seamlessly handle everything from dense pasture to heavy crop residue, delivering a clean, uniform cut across every hectare. Built with a reinforced deck and a massive 75 HP heavy-duty gearbox, the Springbok range is designed to maximise seasonal efficiency while minimising maintenance. Whether you choose the agile SPR-1200-RS or the high-capacity SPR-1500-RS or SPR-1800-RS, you are investing in a reliable, South African-built powerhouse that turns any clearing task into a success.
CORE FUNCTION
POWERFUL VEGETATION CLEARING:
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Engineered to dominate thick pasture, dense weeds and stubborn crop residue, delivering a clean and uniform cut across the most challenging terrain.
HIGH-TORQUE PERFORMANCE:
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Features an upgraded 75 HP heavy-duty gearbox designed for superior torque transfer, ensuring the unit handles high-load cutting conditions without overheating.
PRECISION HEIGHT MANAGEMENT:
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Equipped with adjustable hardened skid shoes that allow for customizable cutting heights between 35mm and 170mm to suit specific field requirements.
ADVANCED DEBRIS PROTECTION:
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Utilises integrated front and rear chain guards combined with swinging rear plates to contain flying debris, ensuring maximum safety for the operator and bystanders.
IMPACT-RESISTANT CUTTING SYSTEM:
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Features a balanced blade carrier fitted with 12mm hardened steel blades, available in 2-blade or 4-blade configurations to withstand heavy impacts in rugged conditions.
"Springbok Tough" -
From Dense Bush to Clean Pasture.
To protect your 75 HP heavy-duty gearbox when working in unfamiliar or rocky terrain, ensure your slip-clutch is correctly tensioned. A clutch that is too tight won't 'give' when you hit a hidden stump or antheap, risking shaft damage; too loose, and you lose cutting power in dense residue. For the cleanest 'uniform cut,' maintain your blade edges - a sharp, balanced blade reduces tractor vibration and fuel consumption, allowing the reinforced deck to glide through material rather than bashing it."
OPERATIONAL CONVENIENCE & EXCELLENCE
UNIVERSAL 3-POINT MOUNTING:
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Features a standard Category 1 and 2 three-point linkage for quick, secure attachment to a wide range of utility tractors. This ensures easy transport and high ground clearance when moving between different fields or over obstacles.
HEAVY-DUTY DRIVELINE PROTECTION:
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Available with an optional PTO slip clutch system that acts as a mechanical fuse. This protects your tractor’s PTO and the slasher’s gearbox from sudden shock loads if a hidden stump or rock is struck, preventing costly downtime.
RAPID FIELD ADJUSTMENTS:
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Precision Height Control: Easily adjust the cutting height from 35mm to 170mm by simply repositioning the hardened skid shoes, allowing you to adapt to varying vegetation density in seconds.
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Dynamic Debris Control: The swinging rear back plates automatically react to impact and debris flow, maintaining protection without requiring manual intervention during operation.
SIMPLIFIED MAINTENANCE DESIGN:
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The open-deck design and easily accessible grease points ensure that daily servicing is fast and hassle-free. The balanced blade carrier is engineered for smooth, vibration-free operation, significantly reducing wear and tear on the tractor’s internal components.
OPTIMISED WORKING SPEEDS:
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Engineered for high-efficiency clearing at consistent ground speeds. The high blade-tip speed ensures a "one-pass" clean cut, reducing fuel consumption and total labour time by eliminating the need for secondary passes.
KEY ENGINEERING FEATURES AND BENEFITS
75 HP HEAVY-DUTY GEARBOX: Provides a massive power reserve and superior torque transfer; ensures the slasher handles dense, high-load vegetation without overheating or straining the drive system.
REINFORCED HEAVY-DUTY DECK: Constructed with high-grade steel and internal bracing; prevents deck flexing and vibration fatigue, ensuring long-term structural integrity even in demanding, uncultivated environments.
HARDENED STEEL BLADES: Features ultra-durable, wear-resistant cutting edges; delivers high-impact force to shred thick brush and crop residue while maintaining a sharp edge for longer service intervals.
ADJUSTABLE HARDENED SKID SHOES: Offers multi-position height settings with high-abrasion resistance; allows the operator to maintain a consistent cutting height (35mm–170mm) while protecting the deck from ground contact and wear.
INTEGRATED FRONT CHAIN GUARDS: Provides a flexible yet impenetrable safety barrier; effectively contains flying debris and "kick-back" objects, protecting both the tractor operator and bystanders during high-speed clearing.
BALANCED BLADE CARRIER SYSTEM: Engineered for precision rotation and reduced centrifugal vibration; protects the gearbox seals and tractor PTO from premature wear, ensuring a smoother, quieter operation across all hectares.
OPTIONAL SLIP CLUTCH PTO PROTECTION: Acts as a mechanical "safety fuse" for the driveline; automatically disengages power during sudden impacts with hidden stumps or rocks, preventing catastrophic damage to the tractor’s internal components.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
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SAFETY AND OPERATOR PROTECTION GUIDE
Operating a high-speed rotary slasher involves powerful centrifugal forces, sharp rotating blades, and the potential for high-velocity debris discharge. To prevent serious injury or catastrophic equipment failure, all operators must adhere to these safety protocols:
1. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
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Eye & Ear Protection: Always wear impact-resistant safety goggles and ear muffs. The high-speed rotation and metal-on-vegetation contact create significant noise and fine airborne particles.
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Hand Protection: Use heavy-duty leather gloves when inspecting or changing blades. Hardened steel blades can have sharp burrs or edges even when dull.
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Footwear: Steel-toed safety boots are mandatory. The heavy deck and rotating components pose a severe crushing and cutting risk during attachment and maintenance.
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Clothing: Wear snug-fitting workwear. Loose clothing, dangling drawstrings or unbuttoned jackets can be instantly entangled in the rotating PTO shaft or the tractor's 3-point linkage.
2. PRE-OPERATION SAFETY CHECKS
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Blade & Carrier Integrity: Inspect the 12mm blades and the carrier disc for cracks, severe chips, or loose bolts. A missing or broken blade causes extreme vibration that can shatter the gearbox.
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PTO Guarding: Ensure the PTO master shield on the tractor and the plastic safety guards on the implement’s drive shaft are intact and secured with their safety chains.
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Hardware Inspection: Verify that all deck bolts and the 75 HP gearbox mounting bolts are tightened to the correct torque. Check that the Category 1/2 lynchpins are securely locked.
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Lubrication: Grease the PTO universal joints and the gearbox input shaft daily. Ensure the gearbox oil level is correct to prevent seizing under high-load conditions.
3. SAFE HITCHING & UNHITCHING
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Stability & Weighting: Use front-end weights on the tractor if necessary. A 1.8m slasher (SPR-1800-RS) is heavy; raising it can cause the tractor to lose front-wheel steering and braking control.
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Check Chain Adjustment: Tighten the tractor’s stabilizer chains or stay bars to eliminate side-sway. This prevents the slasher from swinging into the tractor tires during transport or when turning.
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Clearance Zone: Never allow bystanders to stand between the tractor and the slasher while the engine is running or the 3-point lift is being adjusted.
4. OPERATIONAL SAFETY (IN THE FIELD)
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Safety Perimeter: Maintain a 30-metre "Danger Zone." Despite the front and rear chain guards, the slasher can eject stones or wood fragments at lethal speeds.
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Obstruction Awareness: Scout the area for hidden stumps, large rocks or wire. While the optional slip clutch provides protection, striking solid objects at high RPM can still cause significant shock-load damage.
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RPM Management: Always operate at the recommended 540 RPM PTO speed. Over-speeding causes excessive vibration and component fatigue, while under-speeding leads to "bogging" and belt/clutch slippage.
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Never Leave the Seat: Never dismount the tractor until the PTO has been disengaged and the blades have come to a complete standstill.
5. MAINTENANCE & CLEANING SAFETY
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Mechanical Support: Never work under a slasher supported only by the tractor’s hydraulics. Use heavy-duty jack stands or lower the slasher onto solid timber blocks before inspecting the blades.
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Zero-Energy State: Before performing any maintenance, disengage the PTO, shut down the tractor engine, and remove the key to prevent accidental start-up.
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Post-Operation Cleaning: Remove accumulated grass and debris from the top of the deck after every use. Dry vegetation sitting near the gearbox or spindle can be ignited by heat generated during operation.
FIELD SAFETY GUIDE:
ROTARY SLASHER
To achieve a clean, uniform cut while protecting your equipment and ensuring maximum safety, follow these field procedures based on the Springbok Safety & Operator Protection Guide:
A. ENGAGING THE SYSTEM
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Startup Height: Always raise the slasher approximately 100mm–200mm above the ground before engaging the PTO. This ensures the blades are clear of obstacles during initial rotation.
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Low RPM Engagement: Engage the PTO with the tractor engine at low idle. Engaging at full throttle can cause severe shock loads to the 75 HP heavy-duty gearbox and optional slip clutch.
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Gradual Acceleration: Once engaged, slowly increase the engine speed until the PTO reaches the standard 540 RPM. Allow 10 seconds for the 12mm swing-back blades to align themselves before lowering the unit into the vegetation.
B. FIELD PERFORMANCE & SPEED
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Maintaining RPM: Always maintain 540 PTO RPM while cutting. If the RPM drops, the blades will "hinge back," leading to an uneven, ragged cut and increased wear on the blade bolts.
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Ground Speed Selection: Use a steady forward speed that allows for a "one-pass" clean cut. If the material is very dense (like thick "buffelsgras"), reduce your ground speed to avoid overloading the drive system.
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Height Customisation: Use the adjustable hardened skid shoes to set a cutting height between 35mm and 170mm. On uneven or sandy land, increase the height to prevent "scalping" the soil and creating dust clouds.
C. TERRAIN & OBSTACLE MANAGEMENT
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Safety Perimeter: Maintain a strict 30-metre "Danger Zone" around the operating unit. Despite the integrated chain guards, the slasher can eject stones or wood fragments at lethal speeds.
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"Nose-Down" Setting: For optimal cutting and safer discharge, adjust the tractor’s top link to set the front of the slasher slightly lower than the rear. This ensures material is cut only once, saving fuel and reducing projectile energy.
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Obstacle Protocol: If the blades strike a solid object (stump/rock) or you feel abnormal vibration, disengage the PTO immediately, shut down the engine, and remove the key before inspecting the blades and gearbox for damage.
D. TURNING & MANEUVERING
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Headland Turns: When turning at the end of a row, raise the slasher slightly to clear the ground. Ensure your stabiliser chains are tight to eliminate side-sway, preventing the unit from swinging into the tractor tires.
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Avoid High Lift: Do not raise the slasher to its maximum height while the PTO is engaged. This can put the drive shaft at a dangerous angle, leading to vibration or U-joint failure.
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Stability: If using the larger SPR-1800-RS model, ensure the front of the tractor is properly weighted with counter-weights to maintain steering and braking control when the slasher is raised.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE CARE GUIDE
Regular maintenance of your Springbok Range Rotary Slasher is essential for ensuring a clean cut and extending the life of your 75 HP drive system. Follow this schedule to maintain peak performance in tough conditions:
DAILY: (BEFORE EVERY USE)
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Blade Bolt Security: Inspect the bolts securing the 12 mm blades to the carrier. Due to high centrifugal force and impact, these must remain torqued to specification to prevent catastrophic failure.
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Gearbox Oil Level: Check the oil level in the 75 HP Heavy-Duty Gearbox. Ensure there are no leaks around the output shaft seal, as low oil will lead to rapid overheating.
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Grease Points: Lubricate the PTO shaft universal joints and the telescoping inner/outer tubes. Ensure the grease nipples on the blade carrier hub (if applicable) are serviced.
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Debris Clearance: Remove any wire, plastic, or thick vegetation wrapped around the output shaft. Tangled debris can destroy the gearbox oil seals in minutes.
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Safety Guard Inspection: Verify that the front chain guards and rear back plates are intact and swinging freely. These are your primary defense against flying projectiles.
WEEKLY: (EVERY 40-50 WORKING HOURS)
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Blade Sharpness & Balance: Check the 12 mm blades for excessive dulling or stone damage. If sharpening, ensure you remove an equal amount of material from both/all blades to maintain perfect balance and prevent deck-destroying vibration.
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Skid Shoe Wear: Inspect the hardened skid shoes. If they are worn thin from ground contact, rotate or replace them to prevent the slasher side-plates from wearing through.
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Slip Clutch Check: If your SPR model is fitted with a slip clutch, perform a visual check for signs of slippage (burnt smell or polished discs). Ensure the springs are adjusted to the correct tension for your tractor's PTO output.
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Fastener Audit: Use a wrench to check all deck-mounting bolts and 3-point linkage pins. The constant vibration of a rotary slasher can loosen even the most secure nuts.
MONTHLY: (DEEP INSPECTION)
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Blade Carrier Integrity: Inspect the central blade carrier (stump jumper) for cracks or warping. A bent carrier causes severe vibration that will eventually crack the reinforced deck or damage the gearbox.
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Gearbox Mounting: Check the bolts that secure the 75 HP gearbox to the slasher deck. Ensure the reinforcement plates show no signs of metal fatigue or stress cracking.
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PTO Shaft Splines: Clean the splines on the tractor and slasher input shafts. Apply a fresh layer of lithium grease to ensure easy attachment and prevent seizing.
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Deck Underside Cleaning: Scrape away dried mud and packed grass from the underside of the deck. Trapped moisture under grass buildup is the leading cause of premature deck rust.
END OF SEASON STORAGE:
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Thorough Pressure Wash: Clean the entire unit, especially the underside. Remove all organic matter which holds moisture and corrosive sap.
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Gearbox Protection: If the oil appears milky (water contamination), drain and refill with fresh heavy-duty gear oil before storage to prevent internal rusting.
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Exposed Metal Care: Paint any areas where the "Springbok Orange/Green" has been worn away on the deck or skids. Coat the blades and the underside of the deck with a thin layer of old engine oil or anti-rust spray.
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Driveline Stress Relief: Fully lower the slasher onto wooden blocks to take the weight off the 3-point linkage. Cover the PTO shaft and store it off the ground to keep the internal sliding surfaces clean.
12-MONTH LIMITED WARRANTY
1. COVERAGE:
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This warranty covers the original purchaser against defects in material and workmanship for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of purchase.
2. SCOPE OF WARRANTY:
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Structural Frame & Deck: Coverage includes the main reinforced deck, 3-point linkage mounting points, and the internal reinforcement ribs against weld failure or structural cracking.
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75 HP Drive System: Coverage includes the heavy-duty gearbox housing and internal gears against manufacturing defects and mechanical failure under normal load.
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Blade System Components: Coverage includes the central blade carrier (stump jumper) and the output shaft assembly.
3. EXCLUSIONS: (WHAT IS NOT COVERED)
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Wear Parts: Items naturally consumed during operation, specifically the 12 mm cutting blades, hardened skid shoes, and PTO cross-and-bearing kits, are not covered unless a manufacturing defect is identified prior to first use.
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Driveline Overload: Damage to the gearbox or PTO shaft caused by the removal or improper adjustment of the Slip Clutch (if fitted) is strictly excluded.
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Impact Damage: Structural or mechanical failure caused by impact with immovable objects (large rocks, concrete markers or heavy tree stumps) is considered accidental damage and is not covered.
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Vibration Damage: Damage resulting from continued operation with imbalanced, bent, or missing blades.
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Incidental Costs: This warranty does not cover labour costs, transport of the machine to a service centre, fuel, downtime or secondary damage to the tractor.
4. LIMITATIONS:
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The Springbok Rotary Slasher Range is designed for the maintenance of pastures, orchards, and general land clearing. Use of this equipment for "heavy bush-clearing" (felling trees/scrub exceeding the machine’s rated capacity) or operation in terrain with known subterranean rock formations is not covered.
5. CLAIM PROCEDURE:
In the event of a failure, the purchaser must:
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Stop Operation: Immediately cease use. Continuing to operate a slasher with a gearbox or blade issue can lead to dangerous mechanical failure.
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Proof of Purchase: Provide the original invoice from Premium Farming Equipment.
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Documentation: Submit clear photographic evidence of the failed component and the overall condition of the machine (including blade condition) to the PFE service department.
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Inspection: If requested, the part or complete unit must be delivered to a designated service centre at the purchaser’s expense for technical evaluation.
6. REMEDY:
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Premium Farming Equipment’s sole obligation under this warranty is the repair or replacement, at its discretion, of the defective part or component.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SPR Series Rotary Slasher: FAQ
1. Is the 75 HP gearbox overkill for the SPR-1200-RS?
Not at all. In South Africa, we often deal with thick “buffelsgras” and hidden thorn-bush stumps. While a 1.2m cut doesn't need 75 HP to spin, the higher-rated gearbox provides a massive safety margin. It handles the sudden "shocks" of hitting an ant-heap or a hidden rock far better than a standard 40 HP gearbox would.
2. Can I use this for virgin land clearing?
The Springbok Range is a heavy-duty maintenance slasher, not a bulldozer. It is perfect for clearing tall grass, weeds and light scrub.
3. Will my old Massey 135 or Ford 3000 handle the SPR-1500-RS?
The 1.5m unit is the "sweet spot" for these classic 35–45 HP tractors. However, keep in mind that a slasher is a "dead weight" hanging off the back. If you are working on the steep hills of KZN or the Eastern Cape, you might find the tractor nose gets light. We recommend front weights for better steering control when the slasher is raised.
4. Why should I choose the 4-blade system over the 2-blade?
The 4-blade system (available on the SPR-1500 and 1800) provides a much finer mulch. If you are slashing a lucerne land or an orchard where you want the residue to break down quickly, 4 blades are best. For heavy bushveld grass and general "bossie-slaan," the 2-blade system is more robust and easier to maintain.
5. How do I stop the slasher from "scalping" my uneven lands?
The Springbok Range features adjustable hardened skid shoes. If you are working on the uneven, sandy soils of the North West, lower the shoes to increase the cutting height. This prevents the blades from hitting the soil, which saves your blades and prevents "dust clouds" from choking your tractor’s radiator.
6. I lost my slip clutch settings; how tight should the springs be?
The slip clutch is your "insurance policy." You want it tight enough to cut through thick grass without slipping, but loose enough to slip if you hit a rock. A good rule of thumb is to tighten the bolts until the springs are almost compressed, then back them off two full turns. If you smell "burnt toast" during work, stop and tighten them slightly.
7. Can I travel on the R-roads (public roads) with the SPR-1800-RS?
At 1.8m wide, the unit stays within the width of most standard tractors. However, always ensure your rear chain curtains are down to prevent stones from being flicked at passing traffic. We highly recommend adding "honeycomb" reflective tape to the rear back-plates for better visibility to other drivers.
8. Why can't I use heavy grease on the PTO sliding shaft?
Our South African dust is legendary. If you put too much grease on the outside of the telescoping PTO shaft, it turns into "sandpaper" paste. Only grease the internal splines and the universal joints. Keep the outer sliding tubes clean and dry, or use a dry silicone spray to prevent the shaft from seizing.
9. Are the blades the same as the ones I buy at the local Co-op?
Yes. While we provide high-quality 12 mm hardened steel blades as standard, we have designed the blade carrier to be compatible with standard "South African pattern" slasher blades.