Agritechnica novelties
New Amazon machines for Dutch farmer
A striking number of the new implements presented by Amazone at the Agritechnica are intended for the Dutch market. New spraying and spreading technology, tillage and sowing machines were discussed during the press presentation on Tuesday 5 September.
Most interesting for the Dutch market is the renewed UX 01 Super trailed sprayer. It is a further development of the current UX series, which is also very popular in the Netherlands.
What immediately stands out is the new styling. Behind the gray screen, which is now being introduced on all product groups, you will find a display with which you control everything. At least, when you choose the most luxurious version. In the sober version there is a new control lever that houses 7 functions. 60 liters of keg cleaner is also completely new.
Stable tree that does not swing
Amazone does not change the boom width for this Agritechnica. It stays at a maximum of 40 meters, but change is on the way. From next year, a zero series of machines with booms up to 45 meters will run. Very important for the Dutch market. Further changes can also be found on and on the tree. 2 hydraulic dampers prevent the boom from swaying, which should prevent over- and under-dosing. This is called SwingStop.
If you opt for the Pro version, pulsating nozzles regulate their own release. This is so that it is always the same. Also in curves. With 6 sensors, the tree is kept tight above the ground. Both sides can follow the contours independently of each other. This makes it possible to work with tree heights below 50 centimetres.
Only spray where there are weeds
From 2018 Amazone will be testing AmaSpot in practice. Sensors, mounted every meter, view the ground in 4 bandwidths of 25 centimeters. These sensors measure chlorophyll and give a signal to the cap. For example, only glyphosate is sprayed where there are weeds. Technique that has been used in Australia for much longer and Amazone will be testing in Europe from 2015 onwards. From 2018, it will be available on a limited basis on 24 meter wide machines.
Worn model
The UX 01 Super is available with tank sizes of 4.200, 5.200 and 6.200 litres. For those that are too much, Amazone has the new UF2002, a 2.000 liter mounted model with trees up to 30 meters. The 1.000 liter front tank is unchanged, but a new control system ensures a capacity of 400 liters per minute.
The mounted machine is also equipped with the necessary electronics for filling. The 7-way valve helps you with that. Just like on the UX, you will find the new keg cleaner here. The telescopic headstock is ingenious, which ensures that you have enough space to connect the sprayer. It is then pushed close to the tractor so that the center of gravity is close to the rear axle.
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Anticipating wind when spreading
The mounted fertilizer spreaders are still up to date, but the trailed ZG-TS model has been improved a lot. With 7.500 or 10.000 liters of filling capacity, this is not exactly a machine that you see a lot in the Netherlands. Particularly interesting is WindControl, a meter that continuously registers wind speed and direction and adjusts the TS spreading system using sensors. If the wind is too strong, the driver will receive a warning.
Other gadgets such as online calibration, a filling aid for ideal weight distribution and an automatically operated tarpaulin make it just that little bit easier for the driver. The construction is also different. The steering axle turns tighter and the drivetrain is optional hybrid. Through a PTO, a third of the oil requirement is supplied by the spreader itself, so you can use a smaller tractor with less oil output.
Check spreading pattern with app
There is a small innovation for the worn ZA-TS: FlowCheck. 2 sensors measure the oil pressure. When 1 of the outlet opening is blocked, the sensor registers this and you receive a warning. This also applies when the machine is empty.
Anyone who has a smartphone in their pocket while spreading can use EasyCheck from 2018 on. In the spray track, place 16 lilac-colored mats on the floor. You photograph the result when there are grains on it, and you automatically receive comments about the spreading pattern.
Work and sow 3 meters of soil
Other 'Dutch' novelties can be found in soil cultivation and sowing technology. A mounted 3, 3.5 or 4 meter Catros XL disc harrow is launched. It has 61 centimeter large discs to be able to work deeper and process more crop residues.
The Cataya Special is a new 3 meter cam wheel seed drill, which is equipped with a new dosing system. From the left you control all the functions for spinning. Much attention has been paid to this. Switching between normal and fine seed is a breeze, as is the spinning itself. This is done electrically, with the TwinTerminal, on the machine. The Centaya Super, its pneumatic brother, also uses this technique.
Here too you no longer have to climb into the machine to collect the seed when spinning. A radar, located at the rear of the machine, measures the driving speed and automatically adjusts the application rate. A running wheel is so superfluous. The pneumatic unit can optionally be equipped with a new double disc coulter: TwinTeC, as an alternative to the single disc with a plastic counter disc.
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Half-mounted plow
At the end of 2016, Amazone acquired fellow manufacturer Vogel & Noot. Mainly to include their team technique in the program. After the Cayros, which is now available in a 2 and 3 furrow version with a strip frame, the semi-mounted Hektor is the result of this takeover. The 6, 7 or 8 furrow only plows through the furrow and can handle powers of up to 350 hp. All frames that Amazone has in the program can be mounted.
Niels van der Boom
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