Zedlock has announced their selection as a finalist in the “Machinery Innovator of the Year” category of the British Farming Awards.
The awards, now in their second year, aim to celebrate innovative and determined farmers who have, and are, making changes to their business in a bid to successfully grow and secure a future in British agriculture. The winners will be announced at the awards presentation evening, this year being held at Chateau Impney Hotel, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, on Thursday, October 23.
Zedlock director, Bruce Robertson, explains “I invented the Zedlock because I was looking for a more secure alternative to a padlock and chain. In the yard at the farm I have an Ifor Williams trailer, amongst other equipment, and I was only too aware how easy it was to crop a chain with bolt cutters or smash the padlock with a hammer,” he says. “However, in creating the Zedlock I also solved two other problems; locks freezing and losing the padlock. Because the Union lock mechanism in a Zedlock has brass levers, it is much less prone to freezing than a padlock, and being integral to the gate, there is no chance of losing the padlock.”
Product Development
Since the company’s launch in 2011, the range of locks has developed and expanded. Whilst the Union lock mechanism remains unchanged, developments include a fluted design for the sliding bolt, which improves the action and, at the closing end, a bevelled cut helps align the sliding bolt into the gate post. The 4mm steel lock case is now Zinc Iron coated, with the option of a black powder coat finish.
Zedlock are also offering an Industrial range – with Zedlocks to suit frames from 10mm to 80mm diameter which are supplied from stock and specials to suit gate frames of up to 150mm being made to order. A T-handle, operated from the underside of the lock box, is ideal for sheeted gates. Double gate kits, hinge pin protectors and keying-alike are all popular options. Upcoming developments include locks for shipping containers and potentially an automated version.
Zedlocks are made in England and all the final assembly work is carried out in the barn at Strood Farm. Prototypes are still made in the barn and tested on farm before going into production.
