Building on from its earlier 00 Super range, Amazone’s latest addition to its trailed sprayer fleet promises increased efficiencies in terms of both time and application. CPM reviews the UX 01.
By Charlotte Cunningham
Set to officially launch later this month at the Cereals Event, the UX 01 trailed sprayer promises to combine quick filling with accurate application to deliver a truly high-performance sprayer.
So what does the latest offering from Amazone incorporate? The UX 01 is available in tank sizes of 4,200l, 5,200l and 6,200l, with a boom width of 27-40m. “To prevent unnecessary crop damage, the under carriage of the kit is totally smooth, with specifically designed tanks which boast a low centre of gravity – ensuring safety on both the road and field,” explains Simon Brown at Amazone. There is also increased manoeuvrability via the 28° steering angle which keeps the sprayer tightly following the tractor rear wheels on the headlands
Filling is quick and easy and controlled by touchscreen using the SmartCentre operator station. “The pre-loaded fill programmes enable the driver to automatically run and pause the filling operation depending on the complexity of the tank mix,” he adds.
“During the spraying operation, the agitator control regulates the agitation intensity in relation to the tank fill level. As the fill level decreases, the agitation intensity is automatically reduced to prevent formation of foam at low fill levels. We can also automatically utilise the agitation pump for spraying where conditions dictate that we need more spraying output and agitation is not required”
The UX 01 also boast a 60-litre induction bowl, designed to take in both dry powders and liquids at an impressive 200l/minute – and it is cleaned automatically every time it is put into the transport position, adds Simon.
The key feature of the UX 01, though is the uprated boom guidance through the new ContourControl system. There is a big drive in the industry to increase efficiencies – particularly when it comes to chemical usage – and this new guidance system keeps the nozzle at the target height above the crop using a live, electro-hydraulic control system, he explains. “The height of the crop is picked up via six ultrasound sensors with the centre section and the left and right-hand booms all being controlled individually. Each individual boom can then contour follow independently of each other and the centre section”
The sprayer also boasts the new SwingStop system which uses acceleration sensors to detect the speed of the boom tips. “This allows the UX 01 to release oil into the damping system to control the amount of horizontal movement – keeping the boom tips stable at all times,” says Simon.
The result is increased precision, eliminating the likelihood of over- and under-spraying caused by the boom ends moving at a different pace to the tractor. “The two main requirements in a sprayer are the ability to quickly get the tank mix on board and then to apply the chemical as accurately as possible to just that – we’re confident that the UX 01 does just that.”
Of course, as with every operation in agriculture, time is of the essence – and increasing boom width can boost efficiency by cutting the time spent on carrying out spray operations. For growers thinking about purchasing a new sprayer with increased boom width, Amazone are offering an added saving of £100/metre on all Super-S booms or, on the bigger and bolder Super-L 2, £200/metre. This equates to a saving of £2,400 on a UF1801/24m mounted sprayer, or alternatively £8,000 off a Pantera 4502/40 metre. For more information click here
