Weighing up the options
The biggest plus point of a weigh cell fertiliser spreader is its ability to maintain an application rate regardless of weather conditions or granule consistency, by frequently weighing the remaining product in the hopper and adjusting applications accordingly. When coupled with GPS maps, an ISObus task controller adds the benefit of adjusting the working width and spread pattern to cater for irregular field shape to altering the throw of product for border spreading.
Generous spread widths and sub-metre section control also allow fertiliser spreaders to challenge sprayers for accuracy of application, points out Amazone UK’s managing director, Simon Brown. “Amazone’s section control systems work on a feathering pattern, rather than the black and white on/off with a sprayer nozzle and so, unless the sprayer is fitted with individual nozzle shut-off liquid fertiliser application can lead to heavily overdosing on the running work in wedge-shaped fields and potentially, to lodging.
“The 128 section DynamicSpread on the TS avoids those big overdoses. A twin disc spreader can now be set up for variable rate application out of each disc using two maps whereas a sprayer map is usually full boom width.”
Faster forward speeds, quicker fill times and more concentrated N contents make spreading solid products much more efficient than liquid and it is less complicated to transport out to the field, explains Mr Brown. Any risk of scorch and delay to a subsequent chemical application, which can be a downside with liquid, is also eliminated, he points out.
Kuhn product specialist, Ed Worts comments: “Whilst there are pros and cons for both systems, section control on the Axis Varispread Pro machines is down to one metre (24 sections for a 24m spread), which is a greater
