Cereals 2017 – Working demos pull in a crowd

 

Local manufacturers and distributers were joined by international brands at this year’s Cereals Event which was held at Boothby Graffoe in Lincs last month. CPM was there to study the latest machinery.

The 400hp tractor recently set three new world records for fuel efficiency and maximum drawbar performance.

By Jane Brooks

Official figures show attendance numbers at Cereals 2017 were down on previous years. But there were still plenty of growers who flocked to Syngenta’s Sprays and Sprayers arena where a number of self-propelled and trailed models were put through their paces.

 

French Manufacturer Berthoud demonstrated its high-end trailed sprayer, the Vantage, with its memorable ‘Dark’ colour design. The Vantage was this year’s winner of the prestigious Sprayer of the Year award at SIMA, Paris. The range consists of five models with tank capacities of 2800, 3500, 4300, 5500 and 6700 litres that can be fitted with five boom types ranging from 24-44m.

 

Berthoud says the Vantage has all the features expected on a modern high-spec trailed sprayer – axle suspension (Actiflex II), Dualmatic operation and its motorized version Dualelec. This is where the control panel permanently displays the volume of liquid in the tank and allows a volume to be programmed for filling with an automatic switch-off function, reducing the risk of overflow. It provides access to ISOBUS technology using either the Berthoud VT Tronic touch screen or Isotronic directly on the virtual screen of the tractor.

 

Also on display was Berthoud’s new generation of smaller tractor-mounted ‘Hermes’ sprayers, which feature a new modern and compact design. A narrow profile reduces overhang by up to 30cm. Additionally Berthoud says its close coupling improves weight distribution on the tractor, allowing its use on smaller tractors.

 

Hermes sprayers have a choice of three tank sizes – 800, 1000 or 1200 litres – and a new range of ALSR 15m, 16m or 18m rear folding booms. The machines fold to a width of just 2.55m on the road.

 

Suspension on an Axiale central pivot system brings the boom stability and good performance on slopes, turns and headlands, says Berthoud. Robust and compact due to its “L” structure, it complies with the regulatory road width of 2.55m.

 

‘EcoMatic’ operation completes the Hermes package, which the company says simplifies the machines control. The main innovation lies in the assembly of function valves fitted directly to the body of the Gama 105 or 130 l/min spray pump and its unique control mechanism.

 

Visitors had a chance to see John Deere’s carbon-fibre booms, which were fitted to their R4050i sprayer. John Deere claims the lightweight and low inertia of the carbon boom has beneficial effects on boom stability, promoting improved boom ride and allowing even greater spraying speeds of up to 28km/h to be achieved.

 

The carbon-fibre boom is about five times lighter than a steel boom and allows the boom structure to flex without damage, additionally John Deere says boom repairs can be easily carried out on farm, with no need for special tools or equipment.

 

The Househam Predator self-propelled sprayer is powered by a MTU 230hp engine. The engine’s rear-mounted position optimizes the machines weight distribution, and it’s fitted with Househam’s own Excalibur Cat 4 cab.

 

Capable of road speeds up to 50km/h, there’s a two-speed cruise control system for fieldwork. Track width can be manually adjusted from 72-84cm.

 

Featuring a new, specially developed chassis, the Predator will run on Michelin SprayBib 380/90 R46 rowcrop tyres or Michelin 650/60 R38 low ground pressure tyres. Ground clearances are 1.10m and 1.05m respectively.

 

Weighing in at 10,440kg unladen for the 5000-litre model with a 36m boom and rowcrop wheels, Househam says the Predator is lighter than similar-sized sprayers. The stainless-steel spray tank has had a 4000-litre option added with larger capacity spray tanks planned for the future. Boom sizes range from 24-36m.

Jolly Green giant

John Deere’s new record-breaking flagship 8400R tractor made its first UK appearance at the Cereals Event. The 400hp 8400R tractor is the manufacturer’s largest-ever standard tractor and recently set three new world records for fuel efficiency (field and transport) and maximum drawbar performance at the DLG test station in Germany. It beats its nearest competitors by almost 23% in drawbar performance and lowers the combined fluid consumption figure for fieldwork to only 247g/kWh.

 

This translates into 6% higher pulling capacity and a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 2% compared to the previous top of the range 8370R model, enabling wider implements to be used to increase productivity and maximise total fluid efficiency.

 

Powered by a new John Deere nine-litre Stage IV compliant engine and featuring an e23 transmission with Efficiency Manager, the 8400R delivers up to 450hp with Intelligent Power Management (IPM). This tractor is also fitted as standard with JDLink telematics, including remote display access (RDA) and wireless data transfer (WDT) linked to the MyJohnDeere.com website portal.

 

Kubota bravely ventured into new territory a few years ago when they built a factory at Dunkirk and launched a range of 130-170hp tractors. Having purchased Kverneland back in 2012, it was inevitable that an expanded tractor range would follow.

With the intention of becoming a big player in the European tractor market, a dealer network is being set in place. Here in the UK, most areas are covered with more dealers coming on board to fill the gaps.

 

The company’s top of the range M7171 model was certainly getting attention from visitors. The three models in the M7001 range share Kubota’s 6.1-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which delivers 170hp in the M7171. The M7151 and M7171 are rated at 130hp and 150hp and have a boost capability of an extra 20hp respectively.

 

The 50km/h (Road mode) KVT (Kubota Variable Transmission) is sourced from ZF. Powershift is also available as an option. A look in the cab reveals what looks to be controls that are pretty easy to use and good visibility with a lot of glass. Kubota says that various options are available, as well as standard and premium specifications.

Precision advice

As well as the precision farming advice available on the precision and technology trail, there were demonstrations of the latest nozzle technology, such as Pentair Hypro’s ProStop-E nozzle valve. This is an electrically actuated nozzle valve that allows individual nozzle control for precise matching of spray swaths and can virtually eliminate spray overlaps. Pentair Hypro says that reductions of 2.5% in sprayed area and therefore the overall chemical and liquid fertiliser bill have been recorded in initial farm-scale trials.

Bayer and German spray technology company Agrotop were demonstrating the easyFlow M, which is a closed transfer, metering and cleaning system for liquid chemicals. It can be retrofitted to sprayers, either free standing or attached to the side.

 

All 5-20 litre cans with the industry standard 63mm opening will fit onto the easyFlow adaptors. It connects to the suction line, induction bowl or any induction system, allowing transfer of the entire container or exact measuring and dosing, down to a minimum amount of 60ml. The transparent measuring cylinder is also inexpensive to replace.

 

Bayer currently has 80 units being evaluated on farms around the country and anticipates the system will cost around £600 when it becomes available. Billericay Farm Services will be the distributer.

 

Precision Decisions Topple Alarm and Rural SIM have given lone workers in rural areas an added level of protection. Topple Alarm is a GPS-based tracking device, which is available for tractors or quad bikes.

 

This allows real-time monitoring of vehicle position as well as incorporating programmable tilt sensors, which will remotely notify a pre-determined mobile number of an overturn or similar incident. Additionally, a user code can be programmed into the device to enable only an authorised operator to start the engine.

 

The system uses a roaming Rural SIM card, which maintains 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity over three networks – Vodafone, O2 and EE – automatically moving networks when necessary. The SIM card is also available on its own as a pay as you go option.

Drills and cultivation

Sulky Burel had its latest seed drill the 3m Xeos Pro Evo on the stand. The seeding unit is 400kg lighter than its predecessor and fitted with a 1000-litre hopper. The drill can be used with tractors from 130hp upwards.

 

Sulky Burel says that in optimum conditions, working speeds of 12-14km/h can be achieved when fitted with Cultiline XR cultivation discs. In heavier conditions, or after ploughing, the Cultiline HR rotary harrow with four rotors per metre can be used for seedbed preparation.

 

A new Duo hopper is available on Sulky’s range of Xeos HD, Pro and TF pneumatic seed drills, enabling precision placement of slug pellets, or an additional seed alongside the main seed.

 

Seed rates of between 0.5 to 15kg/ha are possible via Sulky’s Vision Duo in-cab console, which independently manages the main metering device and the Duo hopper.

 

Italian manufacturer Alpego had its new compact pneumatic combi-disc drill the Jet-X on its stand. Available in 3m or 4m working widths the Jet-X has a forward centre of gravity, electronic seeding management and is ISOBUS compatible.

 

Claydon was showing its new inter-row hoe, the TerraBlade M6. A low cost mechanical method of controlling weeds in combinable, band-sown crops, it clears weeds from between crop rows that might have been missed by agchems or where such products can’t be used.

 

Band sowing at 300mm leaves a 14-15cm wide unseeded strip between rows that can be mechanically hoed. The TerraBlade is designed to be used on any tractor with a Cat II front linkage and travels at speeds of up to 6km/h at a depth of up to 30mm, covering up to 40ha/day with a 6m unit.

 

Väderstad launched a new Double SteelRunner soil packer for its range of Carrier L and XL disc cultivators.

 

The new adjustable Double SteelRunner offers full depth reconsolidation and clod breaking and is already a feature on the TopDown. Extending it to the Carrier range through the L and XL models complements existing Double SoilRunner and SteelRunner packer options.

 

The Double SteelRunner ensures cultivated soil dries faster. The open design of the packer results in minimised bulldozing and a low draught requirement.

 

Both models in the range have 51cm and 61cm diameter notched-edged discs. Multiset allows the working angles of the discs to be adjusted.

 

Discs are interchangeable between Carrier models, while the CrossCutter Knife and CrossBoard can also be fitted.

 

Transport wheels can be lowered in wet field areas or for shallow cultivation and working depth is adjustable from the cab. The transport width is 3m and transport height 4m.

Lemken’s mounted sprayer the Sirius 10 is available with tank volumes of 900-1900 litres. The HorizontalExtend boom with package folding is available in working widths of 12 and 15m. For 15-24m working widths, the rear-folding, fully hydraulic SectionExtend boom is available. The square boom profile increases stability and offers sufficient space for housing large nozzle bodies. The sprayer has a transport width of less than 2.50m

 

 

 

EZ ballast from John Deere is a flexible system to quickly link a 1.7t ballast weight to the bottom of any 7R tractor chassis, from the operator cab. To attach the ballast the tractor is driven up and over it. With the weight in position underneath the tractor a dedicated hydraulic cylinder is lowered and catches a shoe on the ballast frame. The weight is then raised and a second lock engaged using an in-cab control.

 

 

 

Back to the future

Amazone says the simplicity of a conventional seed drill without a fan and improved rearward visibility still appeals to many end users. Its new Cataya 3m conventional drill has a 1270-litre seed hopper with an extremely favourable centre of gravity to keep tractor lift capacity requirement at a minimum. Filling is quick and easy with a wide hopper opening and lid profile designed to prevent spills.

 

Features include the Precis metering system – a new peg-wheel metering system that’s easy to switch between fine seeds and cereals at the push of a slide. The electrically driven seed shaft gives infinite variation of the seed rate from the tractor seat and push-button calibration. It’s available with singulation or in two halves offering full width automatic GPS-based headland shut-off or half-side, 1.5m ‘boom sections’ on the headland.

 

The seed set-up, calibration and seed emptying functions are controlled from a centralised operator station to the left-hand side of the drill. Electric metering operates through an in-cab ISOBUS terminal or via the optional drill-mounted TwinTerminal 3.0.

 

The ISOBUS machine ECU comes as standard with TaskController TC-BAS, TC-GEO and TC-SC for full documentation transfer and Section Control as well as supporting all AUX-N functions for tractor joystick operation. The drill can be controlled either by one of the Amazone ISOBUS terminals or via a third-party controller.

 

Cataya seed drills are mounted onto the redesigned Series 1 power harrows and rotary cultivators, which feature new easy-adjust side plates, parallelogram guided depth control for the tine depth and a roller-mounted levelling board. A new range of wheel track eradicator tines are also available.

 

Coulter pressure can be infinitely variably adjusted up to 60 kg/coulter and the Cataya is available in row spacing of either 12.5cm or 15cm.

The Kongskilde Stonebear 2.60 is specially designed for the removal and collection of stones from cultivated land in one operation. It’s capable of moving stones up to 50cm diameter and works in depth of up to 7cm. It has a working width of 6m and its hopper will hold up to 5t of material.

 

 

 

 

Techneat designs, develops and manufactures a range of specialist application products for agricultural and amenity markets. In addition to showing its range of Avadex applicators and other products, one nifty item on display was its recently launched 220-litre fuel bowser that’ll fit under a pick-up truck rollover cover. A recent addition to its tank range and suitable for diesel or ad blue, the tanks are manufactured here in the UK from high-grade polyethylene with stainless steel fittings.