Sulky spreader brings precision to smaller farmers
Sulky Burel launched a new fertiliser spreader at CropTec 2018. The DX ECO#6 brings precision control technology to Sulky’s mid-range DX30 models, allowing smaller arable and mixed farms to gain the benefits of greater precision and fertiliser savings that are usually achieved with high capacity spreaders.
Sulky claims the DX ECO#6 achieves fertiliser savings of 8-10% and reduces areas receiving under- or over-application by 20%. This is acheived through more efficient spreading as a result of automatic GPS shut-off and six-section spreading control that minimises overlaps and optimises spread pattern. These savings have been verified by independent eco-assessments at the IRSTEA (National Institute for Environmental Science and Research) and KEREVAL (independent laboratory of engineering testing) institutes.
Automatic shutter opening/closing is driven by GPS to avoid under- or over-fertilisation at headlands, gateways and after stopping. Automatic six-section control is managed by changing the flow rate, aligned to Sulky’s crescent-shape spread pattern, designed to mimic more closely the reality of centrifugal spreading.
These precision features add to standard technology on DX30 models, including: Tribord 2D electrical border control that can be set from the cab; spread rate proportional to forward speed; automatic variable rate application by GPS (via precision farming or variable rate application maps which are added through a SD card slot on the W-Vision console); easy-to-change working width settings; plus simple calibration and emptying.
ECO#6 can be specified on two DX30 models, both offering spreading widths from 18m to 36m. The DX30 W offers a hopper capacity ranging from 900 litres up to 2700 litres. There’s a weigh cell in stainless steel with slope sensor, which allows for automatic weighing with continuous-flow rate adjustment as well as automatic rate calibration from the cab together with left/right electrical shutter control. The DX30 + W offers the same features, but with increased hopper capacity from 1500 litres to 3000 litres.
The ECO#6 control kit incorporates Sulky’s W-Vision console and Matrix 570GPS guidance bar terminal. Those with compatible third-party guidance bars may prefer to specify just the W-Vision control kit. The DX ECO#6 will be on the Sulky Burel stand at LAMMA 2019, hall 18 stand 18.256. Starting price is £17,568 (retail) with on-farm price starting from £13,000.
