The TalliBuster machine has an electronic system which is designed to stop the motor within 0.2 seconds if there is a lock-up of the handpiece.
Injuries caused to shearers due to lock-ups had been causing ''thousands'' of dollars in ACC pay-outs, Shearing Services (2010) Ltd director R. J. (John) Wilson, who is a co-partner in the initiative, said.
The TalliBuster, which is made from lightweight aluminium, is assembled at P & W Engineering from parts sourced overseas. There were four different speeds which meant it was suitable for shearing goats and alpacas, as well as sheep. As well as the focus on safety, it also required a lot less maintenance, Mr Wilson said. The electric switch start had a ratchet to eliminate breakages and the downtube was interchangable with existing Sunbeam machines. Sales of the machine had ''really taken off'', he said.
Supplying shearing equipment was something reasonably new to P & W Engineering and it had received good support for its products.
The company kept diversifying and looking to supply different industries, general manager Bob Adams said.
Mr Wilson and P & W Engineering developed the Micron wool press, a fully automatic hydraulic pinning press which was now being exported to Australia, as well as catering for the domestic market.