LAMMA 2016: First Sulky UK showcase of new spreaders and drills

CULTILINE XR is a mounted soil cultivator
CULTILINE XR is a mounted soil cultivator

Sulky-Burel’s UK subsidiary offered LAMMA visitors their first look at a number of new fertiliser spreaders, seed drills, cultivation equipment and connectivity products.

David Parsons, Sulky-Burel UK’s product manager, said: “We were delighted to showcase a number of new and updated products to UK farmers and contractors. LAMMA provided us with a fantastic opportunity to meet face to face with customers, in our new, more direct relationship with the UK market.”

The development of Sulky’s top-of-the-range mounted fertiliser spreaders has resulted in the latest X40+ and X50+ models, achieving working widths of 44m and 50m and hopper capacities of 3,000L and 4,000L respectively.

New features on this latest range of spreaders enable greater ease of use and enhanced performance. These include management of the uniquely curved spreading area for maximum efficiency, and the patented Tribord 3D system which enables operators to switch from spreading for yield optimisation to spreading in environmental mode, without leaving the cab.

ECONOV versions of the X40+ and X50+ models offer increased accuracy on headlands and reduce over- or under-application. This is achieved with section control from 12 separately-managed cut offs, which can be opened or closed in all configurations, including just one end section alone.

A new Isobus Universal Terminal, the Quartz 800, provides additional spreading precision when used with the X40+ and X50+ spreaders.

The 46cm (8") colour touch screen enables easy management of the 12-section curved spreading area. Operators can monitor both guidance and machine control on the same screen for ease of use when working. Furthermore, right/left modulation by GPS is also possible via the new terminal, providing flexibility when mapping.

For contractors and those with large-scale farming operations Sulky’s XT100 (7,200L) and XT130 (9,500L) trailed fertiliser models are now available with the company’s ECONOV technology.

Sulky has also launched a soil preparation tool designed to work in partnership with its Xeos Pro pneumatic seed drill. The Cutiline XR is a mounted soil cultivator with two rows of 415mm diameter notched discs. Available in 3m, 3.5m and 4m working widths, the cultivator is able to work at high forward speeds (between 12 and 15 km/h) to bury surface trash ahead of high speed direct drilling.

A levelling harrow just behind the two rows of discs followed by a roller (choice of three available) ensures soil consolidation before passage of the seeding units.

For added flexibility with the Xeos Pro, when drilling in particularly difficult conditions such as heavy or wet soils, the Cutiline XR module can be switched for the Cutiline HR power harrow.

Sulky’s Kronos front hopper seeding system now offers additional potential with a new folding tine coulter bar.

Ideally suited for fast drilling at between 12-15 km/h, the Kronos TF is fitted with five rows of drilling tines on a robust chassis, and available in 5.6m and 6m widths. The straight, semi-rigid tines have exceptional clearance which cuts through surface plant debris with ease, and achieves accurate seed placement even in difficult conditions, such as stony soils. The working depth is managed by depth control wheels at the front and the flexible Gravbity rubber roller at the rear, which also provides additional pressing for seedbed consolidation.

A large hopper capacity of 1,000 or 1,800L helps to balance loads at either end of the tractor and offers a variety of drilling combinations depending on soil preparation and crops to be sown: hopper plus drilling tool bar and power harrow; a precision seed drill with fertiliser application; or even a stubble plough for low-cost cover crop establishment.