Following delays from all variations of Covid-19, LAMMA returned to the NEC in Birmingham with product launches and updates across the industry. Farmers Guardian found out more.
Delayed twice due to Covid-19, the return of LAMMA in the one-off timing of May instead of the traditional January, has allowed many manufactures the opportunity to present the toils of their development and testing over the last 28 months.
Taking place over two days, the event showcased machinery from home and abroad with some interesting launches and insights into the new direction some manufactures are planning to pursue, aligning with the ever-present need for agriculture to achieve net-zero and for farmers to diversity their businesses into a wider range of income sources.
Cooks Midlands present Caterpillar products
Attending as part of the new LAMMA Dealer Zone, Cooks Midlands were showing a range of compact construction and handling machinery from Caterpillar.
Cooks is the first dealer to be appointed in a new strategy from Caterpillar to offer the full compact range of products up to 10 tonnes, including excavators, backhoes, skid-steer loaders and even some smaller bulldozers through existing agricultural dealers.
Taking centre stage on the stand was the 306 CR midi excavator, offering a working weight of seven tonnes. It was fitted with the HMF110 hydraulic flail, designed to demonstrate the versatility of the machine in wider applications in addition to general excavations.
Krone Big Pack 1290 HDP Gen.5
German green harvest manufacturer Krone presented the Big Pack 1290 HDP Gen 5 baler which has been subject to several technical updates to offer improvements in output and operator working.
Supplied as standard, the twine boxes are now hydraulically lowering and are contained in a much tighter sealing structure which forms part of the main side panel. This is claimed to reduce dust ingress into the cabinet and lowers to ground level for easier filling.
The bale chamber now includes Krone’s variable fill system, which is expected to create consistent wads regardless of the crop type being collected, which should produce more uniform bales.
Hydraulically-driven cleaning fans with a revised housing are designed to offer improved airflow and knotter cleaning. Access to the knotter deck has been improved with additional platforms and railings. Improvements to bale density and record-keeping include six density compression cylinders, an optional weighing tail and moisture meter contained within the star wheel. Power requirement for the unit is 300hp and it is supplied with 50kph axles and airbrakes as standard.
Merlo EWorker
Shown in the UK for the first time, the EWorker represents a new direction for Merlo. The all-electric machine utilises 48V 960Ah lead acid batteries, however a lithium-ion version will be available in 2023.
Offered in either two- or four-wheel drive, the 2.5-tonne lift machine has a lift height of five metres with rear-wheel steer only. A departure from the standard steering configuration, this has been done to allow motor drive directly on the front hubs, which is claimed to reduce energy losses as an additional driveline is not required.
Two motors are fitted on the machine, for drive and hydraulic performance respectively. An on-board 220V charger is available in addition to an optional 400V three-phase freestanding unit for faster electrical replenishment.
A new design of ZM1 carriage has been developed for the machine, necessitated by its compact dimensions.
Maximum power outputs range between 60hp and 90hp, depending on the specific model, with hydraulic outputs of up to 42 litres/minute at 210bar. Depending on the conditions, the manufacturer claims a operation time of eight hours is possible between charges.
Olvac Mini N Shallow Reversible Plough
The concept of shallow ploughing is not a new one in Europe and Spanish plough manufacturer Olvac is confident this trend will continue increasing in the UK. The Olvac Mini N plough making its debut at LAMMA 2022 is part of a 20-model line-up originally introduced in Europe 15 years ago.
Popular in Austria and Germany, the ploughs are increasingly finding favour with UK organic farmers, who require complete weed and trash burial. Turning the soil at a depth of 10cm, a 150hp tractor can pull up to twice as many furrow bodies using a shallow plough, a claimed efficiency improvement of more than 40 per cent thanks the plough’s low draft requirement.
Olvac Mini conventional and Mini N reversible ploughs are designed for on-land ploughing only. Up to 13 bodies are available, with mounted or semi-mounted configurations, shear bolts or auto-reset. Maximum working width for the range-topping semi-mounted Mini NS 12+1 is 4.98m.
Hardi sprayer range updates
Danish spray manufacturer Hardi was showing updates to all of its mounted and trailed models, including individual nozzle control available for all machines and boom widths.
Operated through an Ag Leader-sourced controller or through the tractor IsoBus connection, it is GPS linked for improved accuracy and can be operated with prescriptive mapping.
Shown also, the AEON trailed sprayer is designed to match and exceed the specification of a self-propelled unit. Available with booms up to 39 metres and tank capacity of 4,200 and 5,200 litres, its design includes a new touch-screen induction and spray management unit mounted directly above the induction system.
Proforge Pacer Straw Rake
Exhibited at LAMMA by Agri-Linc, the Proforge Pacer range introduces three models of high-speed linkage-mounted straw rakes, available in widths of six metres, 7.5m and 9m. All models are equipped with a front row of hydraulically adjustable 460mm OFAS discs, behind which are five rows of hydraulically adjusted 16mm x 750mm stubble tines.
All models can be folded hydraulically to provide a transport width of below 3m.
In the field, the Proforge Pacer is capable of operating at speeds of up to 20kph, its shallow working depth making it suitable for helping create a stale seedbed in stubble fields prior to cultivation/drilling.
The new Pacer straw rake could be seen on the Agri-Linc stand, alongside the new 3.4m Moore UniDrill.
Chandlers show new MF models
Massey Ferguson was represented by dealer Chandlers, which has branches spanning the Midlands and into the Eastern Counties.
Focusing on Massey Ferguson’s latest ‘S’ generation, the line-up included some new tractor models. The 305hp MF 8S.305 Exclusive with Dyna-VT transmission tops out the MF 8S Series, extending the range from 205-305hp. ‘Exclusive’ specification includes Datatronic 5 and MF vDisplay terminals, active cab suspension, automatic air-suspended seat, multifunction armrest and Multipad controls, four electric spool valves and 16 LED working lights.
The ‘MF vDisplay’ terminal replaces the dashboard for improved visibility, with a new Control Centre armrest, and Multipad lever for fingertip control. This IsoBus-compatible lever operates all the tractor functions and includes an integral micro-joystick to control two spool valves. Operators can use the Multipad lever or foot pedal in automatic mode to alter forward speed, while it automatically sets the optimum engine rpm according to the load and speed. As well as delivering smoother operation, this also reduces fuel consumption. The Super Eco version of Dyna-VT delivers high efficiency, enabling the tractor to achieve a top speed of 40km/hour at just 1,450rpm. A new design, dubbed ‘Protect-U’, gives a 24cm gap between the cab and engine to reduce noise, heat and vibration.
Also on show was the 155hp MF 6S.155 Exclusive with Dyna-6, from the new four-cylinder 135-180hp MF 6S range. This range takes many features from the 8S Series, including the auto Multipad or foot pedal control mode on Super Eco Dyna-VT transmission models, which also reduces fuel consumption by delivering 40kph at 1,450rpm.
McHale V8 variable chamber balers
McHale has expanded its range of variable chamber balers with the introduction of the V8, designed to produce bales from 0.6 metres to 1.9m in diameter, said to contain 30 per cent more crop in a 1.9m bale than in the company’s 1.68m V6 bale. It is being aimed at some of the company’s international markets, but is also expected to appeal to straw contractors in Scotland, for example.
A three-belt chamber is used to manage the higher loads and features include a higher capacity adaptive intake comprising a new pick-up with a choice of five-tine cam track or cam-less designs, larger lateral feed augers and rotor. A high performance netting system similar to that used on the company’s film-on-film balers progressively increases net tension using a hydraulic brake for firmer bales, and the a load-sensing bale shape indicator is positioned at the base of the chamber for greater accuracy.
Control is via McHale’s Expert Plus with a choice of IsoBus terminals.
Kubota fits MX loaders
Kubota showed an MX LK 2400H loader on its latest M6-142 tractor as part of a new agreement with the French loader manufacturer to supply loaders for its M series tractor range throughout Europe.
This loader has a 2.4 tonne lift capacity with four metre loading height, self-levelling hydraulics and fast lock coupler. It is operated via MX’s Flex Pilot control with third and fourth function and is compatible with the 3.25 capacity front linkage which is also available for this model.
The agreement with MX covers all of Kubota’s M series models including the M4-003, M5-002, M6-001, M6-002 and M7-003 models, spanning 66-170hp.
Part of the three model M6-002 range the M6-142 has an output of 142hp from a four-cylinder 6.1-litre turbocharged diesel engine and an eight-speed powershift transmission, with three robotised ranges to provide a 24x24 push-button gearbox.
The M6-002 series has a large four-post cab featuring a multifunction armrest and an optional 7in K-Monitor can be specified for those seeking greater functionality with tractor set-up and control.
Mzuri iPass versatile drill
Mzuri launched the iPass drill, first revealed as a concept at last year’s working demonstrations and aimed at growers looking for flexibility of seeding options. A 5,000-litre pressurised tank is designed to meter and convey high application seed and fertiliser rates accurately at higher forward speeds. It features four variable speed electric metering units, two of which control fertiliser and two control seed giving operators the option to shut off half of the width. The metering system is designed to accommodate all fertiliser compounds and seed types, including small oilseed rape and grass seeds to large maize and winter beans.
To work into a range of surface types including cover crops, stubble, grassland and cultivated ground, the leading disc cuts through surface residue, ahead of a primary knife coulter which clears trash from the till and band places fertiliser below the seeding zone. A secondary seeding coulter follows on a ball joint system to allow the coulter to self-steer behind the path of the band placed fertiliser.
Individual V-shaped depth wheels reconsolidate behind the seeded zone, while also maintaining accurate seeding depth across the width of the machine for even emergence.
The Mzuri iPass is available in widths from four metres to 8m with a choice of two row spacing options.
Greencrop offers Kemper range
Best known for its irrigation range, Greencrop is now distributing the Kemper range of headers and grass pick-ups to dealers for use with New Holland, Claas and Krone harvesters. Headers have recently been updated with the ‘plus’ specification, for row-independent harvesting and even feeding of the harvested crop lengthwise to the chopper unit.
The company is also offering the Kemper ProfiCracker corn cracker on a one-year contract hire basis with the option to buy on completion, giving the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’. The cracker has been upgraded with extended lifetime for rollers and bearings and uses the new Twin Cut roller profile for an improved forage product.
Monitoring of the cracker’s bearing temperatures is designed to improve reliability and cut downtime, and bearings are lubricated in an oil bath rather than with grease for an extended service life.
Albutt push-off folding buckrake
Attachment specialist Albutt has introduced a high capacity folding push-off buckrake in response to feedback from customers who wanted a wider rake but with the control offered by being able to fold to 2.94 metres for transport.
Switchover from pushing out to folding the wings is achieved from an in-cab control, via a single hydraulic service using an anti-collision valve. It is fitted with double side tines to contain the crop when pushing up grass.
