MASTERCO ‘Goes MAD’ with support for TANZANIAN RURAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS

anzanian a land of contrast - hot dusty plains where lions and zebra roam set against the green shores of Lake Victoria where hippos laze in the crystal water.

Nestled in North East Tanzania, on the shores of the Lake, lies the town of Musoma.  This is where http://www.gomadintanzania.org.uk/ 

Andrew Oram, son of Sam and Karen and employee of Masterco Compact Tractors in Somerset, headed this Spring. You may have seen Andrew under the bonnet of a tractor in the workshop or arriving with the lorry to deliver your machine. Andrew has taken 3 months away from Masterco to work with a group of 12 young people in Tanzania with GoMAD (Go Make a Difference) Tanzania

He has been helping on a number of projects working with the local church amongst the rural community building clean water tanks and healthy toilets and washrooms, as well as working amongst the children and orphans - it's amazing what a football can do even in a different language!
Health is a major concern in this poor community and the team have acted as health worker and ambulance driver in some critical situations.  Reliable transport in the Bush is vital and Andrew has been able to combine his college engineering as well as his experiences with Masterco to keep the 2 old land rovers – the Green Machine and the Red Rocket on the road! 

As well as this, Andrew's farming experience has come in useful, as the team help the local farming co-operative - the Rafiki group with planting, tending and irrigating seedlings and crops. Their enthusiasm and ingenuity were stretched to the limits after a major hailstorm wiped out much of the nursery seedlings and severely damaged the wheat crop. The team helped by getting to work replanting, replacing the seedlings and encouraging the dismayed farmers to start again.

Whilst we have missed Andrew in the workshop and out on deliveries, we know he is doing a vital job in Africa amongst the local community in Musoma. There are going to be so many stories to tell (and hundreds of photos to see) when he returns in July, but for now we know he is really making a difference with GoMAD Tanzania. Well done Andrew from Masterco Uk Ltd.

If you would like to know more about GoMAD or Andrew's Tanzanian adventure please contact us through the Masterco website for an update www.mastercocompacttractors.co.uk

What's the point in Chain Harrowing?

So it’s the time of year when grass paddocks need to be chain harrowed.

Its all about timing. From mid February to late March is the prime time to use the chain harrows. The ideal conditions are not that easy to find. The ground needs to be soft but not wet. If its too hard the results are often not great.

But what do chain harrows actually do?

Well it’s a mixed bag of results but the results are worth while.
Removing dead grass or thatch from the surface
Breaking the soil open to allow oxygen to get to the base of the grass
Levelling mole hills
Restoring poached ground around gate ways
Disturbing new weed shoots

If timed right the results of harrowing in terms of stimulating new grass growth can be quite remarkable.  I use the trailed type of harrow and find them very good.

What type of chain harrow to use?

You can buy Fixed point chain harrows or flexi type. Without a doubt the flexi ones are the best. You can also buy the chains as trailed or mounted. The mounted ones are easier to use and are ideal to move from paddock to paddock. It depends what you can afford and how much of an area you have.

Can chain harrows do any other type of jobs?

Chain harrows have been used with good results as ménage or arena levellers. It depends on the surface but they are usually good on sand based arenas.

Chain harrows are commonly used in seed bed preparation and are ideal for use before and after sowing grass seed.

Masterco Compact Tractors stocks a range of heavy duty flexi time chain harrows available is 2 sizes and great value from £200