With the shearing season fast approaching and the long nights of lambing behind us, now is the perfect time to turn your attention to preparing your shearing equipment. It's all too easy to gather the sheep into the pen, only to realise you’re scrambling to find your handpiece, cutters, or that missing drive cable . A few minutes spent now checking over your gear for sheep shearing can save hours of frustration later and help ensure a smoother, safer shearing season. The expert team at Lister shearing share their advice on how to prepare for shearing season.
Shearing maintenance
Start by locating all your essential tools, including the shearing machine motor unit, handpiece, combs, cutters, and any drive cables and give everything a visual inspection. For the motor unit, check that the power switch is functioning properly and that there are no exposed or fraying wires. Remember, safety is key when working with electricity.
If you're using a flexible drive, you must thoroughly grease the inner cable. Examine the outer sheath for any kinks, knocks, or sharp bends as damage here can lead to the inner cable snapping during use. Remember that an old flexible drive that got caught in a gate or twisted last season may no longer be fit for purpose!
For those with a solid drive, check that the elbow leather is in good condition and that the gear guard is securely in place to prevent wool from entering the mechanism. It's also a good idea to remove the inner core, give it a clean, and apply fresh oil to keep it running smoothly.
Next, take a close look at your handpiece. The back leather or rubber guard should be in good condition as this stops wool and debris from clogging up the gears. Inspect the prongs, sometimes called “chicken feet”; worn or damaged points can be dangerous and might cause the cutter to come loose. If you use an oil bath handpiece, drain any old oil and replace it with fresh, clean oil to maintain performance and hygiene.
Your combs and cutters also deserve careful attention for sheep shearing. Ensure all combs are sharp and rust-free, with no broken or missing teeth. Damaged combs can pull the skin, potentially causing injury to your sheep. Cutters should be equally sharp and clean; a dull or rusty cutter makes the job much harder and more stressful for both the shearer and the sheep.
If you’re in any doubt about the condition of your equipment, our team can offer professional advice, servicing, and replacement parts where needed to get your kit in top condition.
Preparing for sheep shearing
Lastly, take a moment to reflect on your own preparation. How well did you manage last shearing season? Were you physically fit enough to get through the work comfortably? If it’s been a while since your last proper session or if you're unsure about your gear setup, consider taking a refresher course. The British Wool Marketing Board offers valuable training in both shearing techniques and equipment maintenance which is a worthwhile investment in safety and efficiency.
Taking the time now to check over your shearing gear can make a big difference once the season gets underway. With everything in working order and your skills refreshed, you’ll be ready to make this year’s shearing smoother, safer, and more successful.