Innovative machines scoop IMMA awards at Cereals 2015

A radical new header, a versatile strip-till cultivator, a powerful new tractor range and a drift-free band sprayer have been awarded gold in this year’s International Machinery Manufacturers’ Awards held on the first day of Cereals 2015.

Four categories covering harvest machinery, cultivation equipment, tractors and sprayers attracted entries from 29 companies.

This year’s winners and runners-up lived up to the competition’s aims to help recognise and encourage the uptake of novel, practical technologies, said Peter Redman, chairman of the judging panel.

“Machinery buyers are always looking for improvements in performance and reductions in cost. In addition they are encouraged to achieve sustainable soil management, to control pollution and maintain biodiversity.


“The IMMA aims to point buyers to those machines that can make a difference in any one or all of these areas, and that also showcase innovation to meet the challenges of a changing environment.”

IMMA was launched by Cereals organiser Haymarket Exhibitions in 2014 to recognise companies that have produced machines sold in the UK that stand out from the crowd by delivering a mix of innovation, cost-effectiveness and value.

After much deliberation, the judges from The Institution of Agricultural Engineers, Harper Adams University, NIAB, an award-winning contracting business and Farmers Weekly picked the four winners and four runners-up for 2015.

The four gold award winners are:

Harvest machinery

Make: New Holland

Model: Dual Stream Header

Technical Specification: New Holland’s Dual Stream header uses a VariFeed header but also a second stubble-cutting knife mechanism to cut the amount of non-grain material going through the combine, boost capacity and cut fuel use.

Judges’ comments: “By using twin knives at different heights New Holland has come up with a radically different way of reducing the amount of straw going through the combine.”

Cultivation equipment

Make: Kverneland

Model: Kultistrip

Technical Specification: Kverneland’s Kultistrip strip-till soil management system is said to improve yields, cut production costs and prevent soil erosion in varying climatic and agronomic conditions.

Judges’ comments: “Kverneland’s Kultistrip strip-till soil management system offers a particularly versatile system for farmers wanting to cut fuel use and look after their soil.”

Tractors

Make: Valtra

Model: T-Series

Technical Specification: Valtra’s new T4 range of tractors that claim to give new levels of reliability, ease of use and low cost of ownership.

Judges’ comments: “Valtra’s new T4 tractor range brings new comfort, power and sophistication to the Finnish company’s offering. Cab and control layout, in particular, are greatly improved.”

Sprayers

Make: Micron

Model: Varidome S3 100Hi-Flo

Technical Specification: Shielded band sprayer for cereals, root and other narrowly planted row crops with patented double membrane Varidome 100HiFlo shields to eliminate product transfer onto the crop and has a LERAPS 3 star rating.

Judges’ comments: “The Varidome’s inter-row shielded band sprayer gives drift-free spraying of weeds without affecting crops. This is certainly a technique that offers a lot of potential for the future.”

The four silver award winners are:

Harvest machinery

Make: Holmer

Model: Holmer Exxact T4.30 & T4.40

Technical Specification: Holmer’s Exxact self-propelled sugar beet harvester with a new row-independent, easy-lift system and fully automatic depth control.

Judges’ comments: “Holmer’s latest beet harvester is a giant of a machine with prodigious throughput and the extra bonus of row-independent lifters.”

Cultivation equipment

Make: Vaderstad

Model: Tempo TPF & T c/w E Control

Technical Specification: Tempo is a precision seed drill capable of drilling at high speeds up to 18km/hr. It is able to drill over 6 seed types including maize, beet and rapeseed. Available from 4-12 row.

Judges’ comments: “Vaderstad has produced a high-output (18kph) piece of equipment with the added bonus of easy, iPad-based operation.”

Tractors

Make: Kubota

Model: M7001 series tractor

Technical Specification: Kubota’s M7001 Series tractors that offer a choice from 130hp to 175hp with good road and field comfort but without forfeiting agility.

Judges’ comments: “Kubota’s latest M7001 tractors now go up to 175hp and give the driver comfort without being cumbersome.”

Sprayers

Make: Househam

Model: Spirit

Technical Specification: Househam Sprayers’ Spirit, with Arag Seletron, a lightweight, self-propelled sprayer with an Arag Bravo 400S controller with individual nozzle shut-off and the option of auto nozzle selection.

Judges’ comments: “Househam has built up an impressive range of relatively light machines with a selection of high-tech controls, including individual nozzle shut-off.”