Sprayers, apps and high tech drills were among the innovations on show at the CropTec Show. Toby Whatley reports from the event.
Garford Tine Raiser
Recently updated to operate with a IsoBus-enabled Muller section controller, the Peterborough manufacturer offers the tine raiser option on its inter-rows hoes across a wide range of working widths and row spacings.
Operating in a similar manner as sprayer sections, the system is designed for headland working; when approaching the end rows at an oblique angle, the individual carriages are hydraulically lifted out of work to improve hoeing accuracy and reduce crop damage.
The system uses a 12v signal from the controller to activate a valve, lifting the assembly. It can be GPS linked for further accuracy.
APV Tine Weeder
Importer of the APV seeder and tine cultivator range S.T. Gowan was showing the VS 600 tine weeder.
Designed to operate as both an overall and inter-row weeder, tine position is controlled hydraulically with manual locks which prevent specific tines being lowered depending on row width.
The triple spring assembly claims to offer uniform downforce regardless of the soil profile, so can operate across potato ridges without collapsing the ridge sides. A wide range of working widths between 1.5 and 12 metres is offered, with a minimum row centre of 260mm.
Kuhn Maxima 3 Precision Planter
French implement heavyweight Kuhn was showing its new generation of precision planter, the Maxima 3. Suitable for precision planting of larger seeds, including maize, beet, sunflower and pumpkins, updates from the previous model include increased coulter pressure of 120kg to reduce row bounce and misses and higher capacity metering discs to improve forward speed. The working width has also expanded to ten rows.
Horizon PPX Precision Planter
Lincolnshire direct drill manufacturer Horizon was showing a coulter assembly of its PPX precision planter for a wide range of seeds. Developed with components from Precision Planting Technology, the assembly has some innovative features.
Operating as a single pass process, the PPX offers variable coulter pressure, seeding depth and placement based upon live data collected by the machine.
Measuring a range of soil data including temperature, moisture content and organic matter, the unit can be set to position seeds at a target location based upon best agronomic conditions, which will vary across the field and soil profile.
A system aimed at those establishing a significant area of precision seeded crops, the machine is offered in working widths of up to 6 metres with a minimum row centre of 400mm.
J.J. Metcalfe Self-build Drill Coulter
Wearing metal supplier J.J. Metcalfe has expanded its range of after-market points and wings to include a complete seeding leg for those building their own drill.
The assembly is designed to attach to 80mm box section and includes the shank, point, seed boot and specifically developed rubber mounting cylinders.
The assembly is offered with a range of seeding boots and point lengths for varied depth. Prices start from 160 per leg.
Hardi Aeon Trailed Sprayer
Danish sprayer manufacturer Hardi was showing its new Aeon trailed sprayer for the first time.
Developed from the ground up with a new chassis and tanking arrangement with Delta booms brought from its Commander and Navigator ranges, it may be a competitor to self-propelled suppliers. It features an intuitive colour touch-screen above the induction system from the 320 litre/minute pump, from which all fill programmes and mixing regimes can be controlled.
On the opposite side of the machine, all plumbing and control values have been grouped within one large assembly at ground level, which should make servicing and frost protection easier.
The sprayer includes some new features including hydraulically adjusting mud guards which follow the wheel position to minimise boom splash, Ackermann steered rear axle, adaptable damped suspension and individual nozzle section control. Boom widths of up to 39 metres are available, with tank sizes of 4,200 and 5,200 litres.
Househams New Cab
Self-propelled sprayer manufacturer Househam was showing its new cab for the first time. Launched earlier this year, the new design is sourced from Claas and includes significant improvements in both operator comfort and build quality.
Offered in Standard and Premium versions, it will be fitted to all Househam models, with the Premium, including leather seat, offered as default in the Harrier range. Cat. 4 air filtration is an additional option on both specifications.
Lemken CCI A3 Controller
A novel approach on IsoBus control was shown by Lemken in the form of its CCI A3 Controller. The control joystick replaces assignable buttons with a large colour touch-screen. This is fitted with different rigid overlays depending on the implement being controlled.
Up to 10 different buttons can be created, each with the relevant icon for the implement being controlled. The device includes vibrating feedback and audible alerts.
The controller is compatible with any IsoBus implement, with button icons being sent from the master control screen.
Ag-drive Reporting App
Positioned as a tool to increase business efficiency, the Ag-drive web or app-based platform is designed to improve and streamline business invoicing and task management for large farmers and contractors.
The system works through the creation of jobs via a central hub which are then pushed out to operators smartphones from the cloud. Once completed, the operator updates job-specific information which can be finalised for immediate invoicing or record creation.
The software integrates with Quickbooks and Xero, and Ag-drive says this should offer users a complete task and accountancy package.
Skippy Scout Drone App
Designed to improve crop-walking data collection, the Skippy Scout app-based platform uses a standard DJI drone. The user identifies field boundaries using the app and selects up to 25 points to visit across the field.
Covering 20 hectares in five minutes, the drone collects high-resolution photos of each location which are fed back to the app for analysing crop cover, weed burden, green area index and NDVI.
Subscription costs start from 30 per month. AR integration with the drone camera is also available.
Larrington CTI System
Usually associated with high spec trailers, Larrington was showing the Agribrink central tyre inflation system, developed in Canada and brought to the UK for the first time.
The system deals with the challenge of inflation speed via a front-mounted compressor and tank assembly. Crafted into a neat bumper, the design incorporates two 80-litre tanks operating at 9 bar, in addition to two more on the trailer.
The compressor operates using the hydraulic power beyond connection, allowing complete re-inflation of up to 10 tyres in 90 seconds. To fully utilise the system, wheel rims require modifying to include a much larger capacity air fitting.
