DESPITE facing the challenges of drought, fires, and floods, WA-based Central Wheatbelt Imports (CWI) continues to expand its reach across Australia. CWI director Craig Gorfin says approximately 70 per cent of their business comes from dealers and farmers located east of the Nullarbor.
"Camera kit sales, especially for air-seeder monitoring and grain movements, have always been strong," Craig says.
"But there is now a significant push for LED machinery light upgrades."
As farming operations grow larger, machinery becomes wider and time constraints due to moisture issues increase, machinery is often running 24/7. Long shifts, sometimes in unfamiliar terrain, especially when operators struggle to see the implements they are controlling, can pose safety and efficiency challenges. Poor visibility increases the risk of accidents and equipment damage due to unseen obstacles. These easily avoidable issues, makes the fitting of high-performance LED lighting upgrades common sense.
CWI, now based in O'Connor, WA, has emerged as a leading supplier of LED lighting upgrades for farm machinery nationwide.
"There is a constant need for improved lighting," Craig explains. "Even some new self-propelled boom sprayers lack adequate factory lighting to see the end of the boom arm. It's unacceptable."
CWI offers 40 LED lighting upgrade kits on its website, cwimports.com.au tailored for harvesters, tractors, and self-propelled boom sprayers. These kits feature LED lights designed to match the shape and plug type of factory-fitted lights, which ensure a seamless upgrade process. CWI has its own testing procedure which ensures that all lights meet the demands of real-life farming requirements. For those requiring a more customized approach, CWI is happy to discuss tailored solutions.
"Lighting is a bit like horsepower – you can never have too much!" Craig says.
With more than a decade of strong relationships with current LED manufacturers, CWI has complete confidence in the quality of its products.
"One farmer was quoted over $10,000 to upgrade the factory fit lighting package on a new tractor," Craig recalls. "We supplied all the necessary LED lights for his 4WD, plus a four-camera high-definition wireless monitoring system for his tow-behind air cart, for just over $4,000."
Upgrading to high-performance LED lights can double or even quadruple usable light output without placing additional strain on the alternator – sometimes even reducing its load. This is particularly beneficial for older machines which often struggle with alternator output when running modern day auto-steer systems.
Craig warns against the trend of mounting light bars all over machines to compensate for poor visibility.
"These additional lights increase electrical load without necessarily improving illumination in the right areas. New
machines are designed with optimal lighting positions, so upgrading factory lights to a higher-performance alternative is a logical step."
For customers who need a specific light type that isn't readily available, CWI also offers a range of high-performance replacement LED globes. These newer-generation globes are more compact, often featuring inbuilt fans and improved designs that eliminate shadows and provide more even illumination.
Beyond LED lighting, CWI supplies advanced camera systems to improve visibility and safety on farms. Their adapter harnesses allow seamless integration with factory-fitted screens in modern cabs.
"Cameras do more than monitor shafts or air-seeder tanks," Craig says. "They boost productivity in many areas."
For instance, front-end loaders on FWA tractors often suffer from poor visibility. A strategically placed camera linked to a cab-mounted screen enhances safety and precision. In grain handling, cameras on augers or inside grain trailers allow operators to monitor loading and unloading from their seats, critical as some receival sites now require truck drivers to remain in their cabs.
CWI is also Australia's distributor for Billericay Air Bubble Jet nozzles, the first patented air-induction nozzle. These award-winning UK-designed nozzles reduce spray drift and create a more condensed droplet spectrum, improving efficiency in Australian spraying conditions.
"Having used these nozzles myself, I can confidently vouch for their performance," Craig says.
When conditions turn wet, CWI's Australian-made snatch straps ensure safe machinery recovery. They offer individual straps and complete recovery kits, along with soft shackles as a safer alternative to traditional steel shackles.
With ratings up to 150,000kg, CWI's snatch straps are built for even the largest quad-tracked tractors.
With a network of over 450 dealers across Australia, Central Wheatbelt Imports is a trusted supplier of LED lighting upgrades, high-definition camera systems, air-induction spray nozzles, and recovery gear. Their expertise, firsthand farming experience, and commitment to quality ensure that Australian farmers have access to the best products to enhance safety, productivity, and efficiency in their operations.
For more information, visit cwimports.com.au.
