Cereals 2019: Crop protection and nutrition equipment takes centre stage
Sponsored by Syngenta, the sprays and sprayers arena always draws a crowd at the Cereals Event, and this year was no exception with several new developments being demonstrated. Jane Carley reports.
John Deere Mazzotti self-propelled sprayers
Mazzotti sprayers have joined John Deere’s line-up, filling gaps in the company’s self-propelled range sold in Europe and other markets with sub-3,500 litre and a 6,700 litre model.
Powered by a 300hp Deere Powertech engine, the 6,700 litre MAF 6240 features a high torque hydrostatic transmission which uses separate pumps for front and rear axles to boost traction in tough conditions.
Control layouts and technology will be familiar to those with existing Deere sprayers as they are equipped with the company’s AMS precision farming equipment. Selected dealers have been signed up to handle the product range and parts will be channelled through John Deere’s Langar depot.
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Amazone sprayer updates
Amazone has made a number of updates to its trailed and mounted sprayers with the L3 three section boom now available for the UX trailed machines.
Built in modular 6m sections, the L3 can go to 48m, with 40m an increasingly popular fit for 8m drill systems. When specified on the UX01 Super series, which features a twin pump system for high outputs, the boom comes with the firm’s Contour Control variable geometry and Swing Stop lateral damping. Tank capacities are 4,200, 5,200 and 6,200 litres, and prices are about £130,000.
UF02 mounted models now include the 1602, which has a nominal tank capacity of 1,600 litres, making a 3,000 litre combination with the company’s front tanks. Featuring the ‘wet’ system from the trailed sprayers, the UF02 now fills at 150 litres/min, is fitted via a quick hitch and has a 350 litre clean water tank.
Hardi Navigator ‘I’
Hardi showed the latest version of the Navigator trailed sprayer, which is available from 3,000 to 6,000 litres, and boom widths to 39m.
Optional Intelligent packages can now be specified with AutoFill and AutoWash offering easy filling and cleaning of the sprayer using the new FluidBox control panel in the filling area, says the manufacturer.
Boom circulation system PrimeFlow, which circulates and primes the boom before spraying, now includes AutoNozzleControl, an individual nozzle control system giving claimed chemical savings of up to 10 per cent by reducing overlaps.
Hardi’s SmartCom platform gives full IsoBus control, with a choice of in-cab terminal.
Berthoud Axiale B3 boom
Designed to fold within the length of the machine, and rest horizontally for transport at reduced height, Berthoud’s new Axiale B3 is a triple fold boom.
Mounted via a pendulum-parallelogram system, the boom retains the Axiale suspension, rotating on a central pivot.
Designed for additional strength with heavy duty pivots, working widths are 24-33m. Berthoud offers a wider three-fold boom, the aluminium Ectair B3 at 36m. The company is also testing the Spraytronic pulse width modulation system and is developing individual nozzle control.
Chafer Defender self-propelled sprayer
Chafer introduced the Defender self-propelled sprayer, designed to offer the features of its Interceptor range in a smaller, lighter package, with tank capacities of 3,000 and 3,500 litres.
Powered by the same Deutz engine, down-rated to 180hp, it also uses the Bosch Rextroth continuously variable transmission with individual wheel control for improved traction.
A high standard specification includes 85 litres/min centrifugal pump, independent boom tilt and variable geometry, with options ranging from Hypro Duo React air-controlled nozzle bodies and booms to 30m.
A 3’000 litre, 24m version with Teejet Aeros controller, Contour boom and two sets of wheels will cost about £175,000.
Horsch AX trailed sprayer
Designed to offer a more entry-level, lower-spec machine in its trailed sprayer range, Horsch exhibited its new Leeb AX model.
Featuring a 3,800 tank and booms up to 30m, areas of the sprayer which bring the price down are; PTO-driven pump instead of hydraulic, simpler hydraulically controlled boom suspension, manual valves, drawbar steering instead of axle and the use of fewer, standard spray sections.
By no means is this a budget sprayer, but it does allow Horsch to expand its customer base, it says. Retail prices start from £50,000, fitted with 24m boom, manual triple nozzles and automatic section control.
Cleveland Alliance Handler-Mixer
Cleveland Alliance introduced the 850 litre capacity Canadian-built Handler-Mixer, designed to mix chemicals and fill sprayers in the field from a bowser, with outputs up to 900 litres/min.
The device can also fill the sprayer from a water source. A heavy duty spike will pierce the chemical can lid as well as the seal, and can rinse containers - a separate wide opening allows large quantities of powders to be quickly mixed.
Built on a skid unit, the Handler-Mixer is designed to be mounted on a flatbed trailer with a bowser of the purchaser’s choice, priced at £7,000. The company is also focusing on offering a comprehensive ARAG spares service, with 6,000 items available online or via local dealers and stock held in the UK.
Altek FS fertiliser nozzle
Altek showed the latest Lechler fertiliser nozzle, the FS, which uses five orifices with oval bores to deliver the liquid, producing lower flow rates on the outer pair to give even distribution across the boom.
The nozzle offers a seven degree backward inclination of the spray pattern, but can be fitted to boom designs where a traditional backward pattern is not suitable. Nozzle sizes are ISO coded from FS 015-15, and the orifice can be removed without tools for cleaning and replacement.
As many spray pumps are fitted out of sight on sprayer, the company has also developed a simple system which monitors oil levels in the spray pump and will sound an audible warning if they fall to a dangerous level or increases suddenly – an early symptom of diaphragm failure.
Knight Farm Machinery LED lights
Knight Farm Machinery has added the option of boom lighting across its range of sprayers, using BlueBeam LED spotlights with 2,700 effective lumen.
Lighting allows the operator to monitor the nozzle performance even in poor lighting conditions at the end of the day, when spraying conditions often improve, says the company. Supplied as original equipment or retro fitted, a light at each end of the boom is specified up to 24m width, with a second light fitted half way along on wider units.
Prices are £353 for two lights and £706 for four lights.
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