Machinery manufacturers are upping their game for LAMMA 2017 with a host of new power and precision equipment being unveiled. CPM rounds up some of the latest innovations visitors can expect to see, some for the first time in the UK.
Across the exhibits there are set to be a number of new ideas and technology tweaks that rise to the challenge.
By Chris McCullough and Martin Rickatson
Leading manufacturers from across Europe will be among 900 exhibitors expected to showcase their wares at LAMMA 2017. Taking place on 18-19 Jan 2017, at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, the event attracts more than 40,000 visitors.
But depressed prices and low yields have set a challenge for manufacturers looking to prove the value of new kit to discerning UK growers with limited budgets. Across the exhibits there are set to be a number of new ideas and technology tweaks that rise to the challenge, however.
New tractor exposure
Making its UK debut is the new Fendt 500 Vario series of four-cylinder tractors.
Making its UK debut is the new Fendt 500 Vario series of four-cylinder tractors ranging from 125-165hp. Besides complying with the legal emissions standard Tier 4 Final, Fendt has designed its 500 Vario tractor range for more efficiency and equipped it with more optional features adopted from the high-horsepower tractors. These include the new VarioGuide guidance system, the full glass front terminal, the 1000E PTO, LED work lights, optional immobiliser and a flange or stub axle, to name a few.
Under the hood there’s electronically controlled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) with map-controlled AdBlue injection and an auxiliary engine oil heat exchanger in the 500 Vario. The 4.04-litre Deutz engine with common rail injection and the tried and tested Fendt SCR technology are claimed to offer an efficient, fuel-saving solution in combination with the coated soot filter (CSF), where passive regeneration is possible without requiring additional fuel injection into the exhaust line.
Massey Ferguson is set to unveil a new series of tractors in the smaller to medium horsepower range at LAMMA. Two mid-range models kick off the MF 5700 Global Series – the 100hp MF 5710 and the 110hp MF 5711, targeted at livestock, dairy and mixed farms.
Massey claims to have included a range of features normally only found on larger tractors with the MF 5700, while providing users with the largest cab in this sector. There’s a turbo charger, with electronic wastegate, AdBlue injection in an all-in-one system, and a creeper gearbox option. Power shuttle, with Power Control and Comfort Control, Easy Shift control button are on the gear lever, and 58 l/min hydraulic flow comes as standard, while there’s a 4.3t lift capacity.
These new models will sit alongside the new MF 5713 SL tractor. This 130hp, four-cylinder, 4.4-litre all-rounder also has a turbocharger with electronic wastegate and AdBlue injection. A lift capacity of 5.2t, front axle suspension and the option of AutoGuide are some of its more advanced features.
Further up the power curve, visitors to LAMMA will be able to take their first look at the new MF 6700 S Series. The 175hp MF 6718 S incorporates a turbocharger, with electronic wastegate, with automatic engine braking through fan engagement.
Case IH is also targeting the 100-150hp sector with two new tractor ranges at LAMMA introduced into its Luxxum and revised Maxxum lines. The Luxxum 100, 110 and 120 have rated power outputs of 99, 107 and 117hp, provided by 3.4-litre four-cylinder engines from Case IH partner FPT Industrial. Stage IV emissions legislation is met via Hi-eSCR-only exhaust treatment. Respective diesel/DEF capacities are 150/14 litres.
Targeting the 100hp to 150hp range, Case IH will introduce its Luxxum and revised Maxxum lines.
Transmission takes the form of a new 32F/32R automatic powershift with four powershift steps and eight ranges providing 40km/h travel at 1730rpm and featuring adjustable powershuttle response and speed selection.
An auto field mode shifts through the lower 16 speeds, while auto road mode moves the transmission progressively through the higher 16 speeds, each mode operated via a single press of an armrest button, or through each speed via buttons on the rear of the Multicontroller joystick.
Four models in the new Maxxum series are available as Multicontroller (MC) or CVX models, with 4.5-litre four-cylinder engines spanning rated power outputs of 116-145hp. There’s also a 6.7-litre six-cylinder 145/179hp alternative – the standard or MC Maxxum 150. FPT Industrial NEF engines incorporate selective catalytic reduction and a diesel oxidation catalyst, with no diesel particulate filter. Upgrades include new lighting, single-piece windscreen with revised wiper and larger 650/65 R38 rear tyre option, plus improved front axle damping, longer wheelbase and electronic vibration suppression, while colour-coded, relocated spool valves simplify connection.
On public viewing for the first time in the UK will be the new JCB Fastrac 8290 and 8330 models which have increased power and performance, a new cab, and a fully hydrostatic steering system.
The new tractors represent a significant step up in performance with heavy draft equipment, demanding pto-driven implements and heavy trailers, tankers and spreaders, with the 8330 being the most productive Fastrac ever built, according to JCB.
The new-look machines share their styling and a number of features with the highly successful 175-235hp Fastrac 4000 Series tractors but offer a significant step up in power and performance.
The Fastrac 8290 is powered an 8.4-litre six-cylinder engine developing peak output of 228kW (306hp), while in the Fastrac 8330 this twin turbo engine is tuned for 260kW (348hp).
A multi-mode CVT transmission with bespoke JCB control software provides the operator with different powertrain control strategies for maximum performance, economy or consistent ground or pto speeds.
The JCB LiveLink telematics system is standard on both the new Fastrac 8000 Series tractors, providing valuable location and operating information, as well as proactive service scheduling, remote fault finding and anti-theft features.
Over in the McCormick corner the company will unveil its most powerful tractors ever built. The McCormick X8 VT Drive, which will be produced in three models with engine power outputs of 264hp, 286hp and 310hp, takes the McCormick marque into a new performance class, says the company.
Loader reach
A number of loaders will enter the UK stage at the show including a few in the livery of JCB and four additions to Massey Ferguson’s new TH telehandler range.
The new JCB 413S Agri wheeled loader is one of three mid-range agricultural loaders to get the more spacious and better equipped JCB CommandPlus cab, an engine that meets Euro Stage IV/US Tier 4 Final emissions without needing a costly diesel particulate filter, and a temperature-reactive reversible cooling fan.
In addition, the 8.95t JCB 413S can be equipped with a fold-away trailer hitch to make use of its first-rate towing ability and 48km/h top speed.
With 108kW (145hp) and 560Nm of torque available from its 4.8-litre JCB EcoMAX engine, the 413S is one of JCB’s high power-to-weight ratio ‘S’ wheeled loaders.
JCB is also launching its new compact wheeled loader, the JCB 403 Agri which has a load capacity rated at 0.3cu m using a standard bucket. It stands less than 2.2m tall and only 1.1m wide on narrow tyres, even when fitted with the new cab.
Massey Ferguson’s four new TH models – MF TH6030, MF TH6534, MF TH7035 and MF TH7038 – are powered by 100hp and 130hp engines, with a lift capacity of between 3-3.8t to heights of 6-7m. Hydraulics come in at 100 l/min flow or 190 l/min flow, depending on the model.
There’s an electric parking brake, a new electric line ACD on the boom, and the option of an automatic fan inverter. With Autoshift in transport and three steering modes with semi-automatic alignment, these new telehandlers can also travel at up to 40km/h.
Drill diversity
Claydon Drills will launch a brand new 3m Hybrid T3 trailed drill at LAMMA. The T3 extends the company’s range of Hybrid trailed drills to four models – the 3m T3, 4m T4, 6m T6 and 8m T8. The company is also currently developing a new 4.8m T4.8 model which will be launched during 2017.
Measuring 6.6m long and 2.5m high, the new model incorporates support wheels with 10.00/75-15.3 deep-cleated tyres that run on clean, dry, uncultivated ground to ensure an even seeding depth. With a transport width of 3m, the Hybrid T3 has an un-laden weight of approximately 2600kg.
“An increasing number of customers, both in the UK and overseas, have requested a trailed version of our popular 3m mounted Hybrid drill,” says commercial director Spencer Claydon.
“We believe the new Claydon Hybrid T3 will provide exactly what they’ve been looking for by offering the flexibility to tackle any crop establishment situation.”
Horsch attends the show with a new artillery including its mounted Maestro drill, available in either eight-row with 70cm, 75cm and 80cm row spacing or 12-row configurations with 45cm or 50cm spacing. Each row has a 70-litre seed hopper feeding its own seed-metering device. A 300kg coulter pressure, which can be adjusted on the move from the screen in the cab, enables effective operation at around 12km/h.
What’s more, Horsch says its Express KR model is now available as a grain and fertiliser version with pressurised grain and fertiliser tanks. The hopper capacity is increased to 2000 litres, which means 1t of seed and 1t of fertiliser can fit in easily.
Sulky UK will exhibit its X40+ and X50+ fertiliser spreaders plus a remotely operated rolling cover which simplifies loading operations, and a hydraulically operated border deflector that gives added protection to field margins.
The new hydraulically operated rolling action cover can be deployed remotely from the tractor cab, helping those operators who work without assistance.
The new border deflector supports spreading from the very edge of the field, with the flow shutter closed on the border side. The new deflector improves border-controlled spreading, and enhances Sulky’s Tribord 3D border device which allows remote changes to fertiliser rates when spreading up to and onto headlands.
On a roll
New to the He-Va range of machines at LAMMA is the Crimper Roller – a knife roller designed to roll, cut and bruise cover crops in front of a direct drill. Rolling down the canopy, the Crimper Roller makes it easier to drill through a heavy cover crop and bruises the foliage to speed up degradation allowing successful establishment of the following crop, says the company.
“The advent of large-scale cover cropping has led to increased interest in how to destroy and drill through the canopy,” comments Opico’s James Woolway. “This new Crimper Roller has angled edges set at 140mm spacing to cut or bruise the cover crop along its length. In some cover crop mixes the Crimper Roller can cause sufficient damage to kill off the crop without the need to use glyphosate, saving both time and input costs.”
The crimping sections are made from 600mm diameter metal tubes which can be ballasted with water to provide extra weight. Available in a 3m rigid model, or 3m, 4m or 6m folding models, the price starts at £5097.
He-Va has also updated its disc roller range to improve contour following and allow more precise cultivation. Originally launched in 2003, the He-Va disc roller is a popular shallow disc cultivator on UK farms.
While the new Disc Roller Contour uses the same proven disc elements, it also now incorporates He-Va’s Special Active Transfer (SAT) system from its roller range. This allows the machine to follow field contours and ensures even consolidation across the full working width of the machine.
The model sizes available in the new Contour range have changed to allow machines to tie in with guidance and Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) systems. Disc section working widths of 2.25, 4.25, 5.25, 6.25m and 7.75m are available, with each machine using a press roller 0.25m wider than the disc section to ensure an even, consolidated finish. The new Contour retails at £39,104.
A new generation TopDown cultivator in working widths of between 3-9m is set to be launched by Väderstad. Extensive updates include a new double SteelRunner packer option, a reinforced frame, new hydraulics and stronger tine arms.
The new TopDown has 12.5cm disc spacing, 27cm tine spacing, an adjustable hydraulic stone release up to 700kg and can cultivate down to 30cm depth. With DeepLoosening points the depth increases to 40cm.
Claas boosts precision farming offering for 2017
Telemetry, auto-steering and crop-sensing technology are all part of a series of upgrades for precision farming technology from Claas for next year, with a new ISOBUS control upgrade to its S10 terminal also now available.
For those requiring an RTK steering-correction signal and who cannot get – or do not wish to sign up to – a fixed correction signal network, the firm has launched a new Field Base portable transmitter. This eliminates the need to rely on fixed-mast networks and means the system can be used wherever the associated equipment is working.
Field Base incorporates a two-frequency receiver picking up satellite signals from both the US GPS satellite network and the Russian GLONASS system, to ensure a high level of reliability, says Claas. Maximum deviation is claimed to be 2-3cm, and depending on topography the system can achieve a reliable signal range of 3-5km. If permitted by statutory regulations, an even greater range can be achieved through using external radio technology.
Set-up time is claimed to be just a few minutes, and Field Base is suited to use with a range of manufacturer steering systems and by an unlimited number of machines within range without any licensing fee requirements, says Claas.
While it was previously capable of managing a range of ISOBUS functions, the S10 now includes ‘Section Control’ and ‘Task Management’ functionality, says Edward Miller, Claas precision farming specialist, and these updates can be added to existing S10 terminals.
“The Section Control facility can be used not just with sprayers, but also with fertiliser spreaders and drills, with automatic switch-off eliminating overlaps and individual adjustment options available for working awkward-shaped areas,” he explains.
“Task Management is something we see as being of particular benefit to larger farms and contractors, with Basic and Geo options. It’s possible to ‘create’ jobs on the farm office PC and then transfer them to the tractor, where any adjustment to the task can be made if necessary. With the Geo option, users can create georeferenced job data such as a planned variable rate application map, or recording of an as-applied map.”
As an example, says Mr Miller, the S10 ISOBUS terminal can be used in conjunction with the Isaria Crop Sensor – the front-mounted boom-type sensor that measures biomass reflection levels to determine optimum nitrogen requirements.
Previously shown in the UK at Cereals, Isaria uses two sensor heads each incorporating four LEDs that enable the system to be used at night-time as well as in daylight. These are combined with an optical sensor and a distance sensor to regulate the distribution from the spreader on the rear of the tractor. Claas says this real-time measurement means there’s no need for any manual calibration or agronomic input.
Claas dealer service engineers specialising in its EASY precision farming technology are able to support the Isaria system, and the firm is also working with Agrovista to provide agronomic backing for the product and its capabilities.
“This gives Isaria Crop Sensor users access to Agrovista’s agronomic knowledge and software, including the MapIT Pro data management system, which is part of the cloud-based real-time Axis data hub. In addition to creating yield potential maps from yield maps, soil conductivity data or simply from field knowledge, the collaboration between Agrovista and Claas means yield data from our combines can be seamlessly imported into the cloud-based software to make it easily accessible from anywhere and from multiple platforms.”
On the telemetry front, Claas continues to refine its Telematics package, with Basic and Professional versions now offered according to requirements and budget. These are available on Lexion and Tucano combines, Jaguar forage harvesters and all tractors from the Arion range upwards.
The key difference between the two is that, while the Basic version provides real-time and recorded information on position, status and service issues, Telematics Professional offers unlimited data history to allow comprehensive data analysis for operation optimisation.
Automatic documentation is optional to both systems. Once a field boundary has been loaded and the field created and named when a Telematics-equipped machine begins working in a field, then the system starts a job and automatically records working and performance data. Meanwhile, Claas says it is continuing to work with implement manufacturers including Amazone, Fliegl, Grimme, Horsch and Lemken, on its TONI (Telematics ON Implements) system, to make the documentation and utilisation of the data from implements more widely available.
