| 59 Oamaru Engineering ENGINEERING Bookkeeping & Payroll | Tax & Compliance | Financial Statements & Annual Review | Business Advisory Accounting & Business Solutions It's about more than just the money. It is about not losing sight of the goals and aspirations - both business and personal - that led you into business in the first place, and about keeping you on track to achieving them. 027 240 0073 tracey@back2black.co.nz www.back2black.co.nz www.precisionprofile.co.nz | sales@precisionprofile.co.nz | 03 477 7277 | 12 Birch St. Dunedin Otago’s Plate Cutting Specialist Now Laser Cutting Mild Steel • Stainless Steel • Aluminium T T Emma Bailey Repair specialists on the case The company has developed its own crimper roller, which is sold on TradeMe. “We made a couple a few years ago and nothing much happened and then one featured on Country Calendar and we started getting calls.” When machinery or equipment breaks down, Oamaru Engineering is fully equipped to get things back up and running. Oamaru Engineering is owned and operated by Richard Cranston, providing structural, mechanical and general engineering across the North Otago region. Richard says the majority of the company’s work is repairs. “For example, right now we are busy replacing a tow bar, repairing a truck bed and replacing a rusted drawbar in a caravan. Earlier in the week, we had a digger tilt bucket that needed cracks welded up, pins and bushes replaced and the hydraulic cylinders repaired with new seals fitted. “Before that, we fabricated a couple of steel skip bins, so there’s a bit of fabrication and structural steel work in the mix also,” he says. “Generally, someone will bring something in, and we either repair it or put a plan in place to replace it. We also have a mobile workshop kitted out with all the tools we need if we have to shoot out and fix something onsite. Often, this is welding up broken pipe rails or gates at a dairy shed. “Mostly, we are a repair shop. People bring things to us, and we fix them so they can get back to whatever they are doing as quickly as possible. I enjoy being able to help fix people’s problems and keep them operating.” The business, formerly Oamaru Repairs and Maintenance, has been operating for nearly two decades. It was originally established by Richard’s father-in-law, Pete Walsh, out of the back of his garage before the workshop they are in now was built on Orwell Street in Oamaru. Richard took over 10 years ago. The company has developed its own crimper roller, which is sold on TradeMe. “We have sold them to a few vineyards around the place, in Central Otago and Marlborough. They are quite a niche product,” says Richard. “We made a couple a few years ago and nothing much happened and then one featured on Country Calendar and we started getting calls.” A crimper roller is a specialised tractor attachment featuring a heavy steel drum with blunt blades used to terminate cover crops and suppress weeds without tilling or using herbicides. The angled blades bruise and crimp the stems of cover crops at regular intervals without completely severing them; it creates a natural mulch mat. Oamaru Engineering also fabricated a replacement barrier arm for Southern Harness Racing a couple of years back and is currently looking into building a similar barrier arm for another club. The barrier arms extend horizontally across the track from the back of a ute. Each horse is assigned a specific post position marked by numbers along the arm. The physical barrier prevents eager horses from jumping ahead prematurely or breaking into a gallop. The vehicle gradually accelerates towards the official starting line, which allows the horses to cleanly line up, find their stride and hit the starting line in full motion all at the same time. “This is one of the more involved projects we have undertaken, as there is a hydraulic system to move the arms, lights and a countdown clock and an intercom system so the operator can talk to the driver and racers,” says Richard. “There is also a hand throttle to incorporate so the operator can control the speed of the vehicle.” Oamaru Engineering provides structural, mechanical and general engineering across the North Otago region.
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