A host of new kit will be on show at LAMMA 17 when it returns to the east of England Showground in January.
LAMMA 17 has a reputation in the UK as the launch pad for new machinery and equipment, the upcoming event is no exception. Many manufacturers choose the event to unveil their latest designs, so there’s no shortage of innovation on show.
Here’s a pick of some of the latest equipment, big and small, that aims to improve performance and productivity.
Slurry and muck management
Bauer is launching a new range of steel slurry and anaerobic digestion (AD) digestate tankers at LAMMA. The BSA Profiline tankers, with capacities from 10,000 to 26,000 litres, are top-spec models aimed at contractors and large-scale farming operations.
They feature double corrosion protection for the vacuum tanks as standard. Automatic filling stop also be operated through the Signo Touch isobus terminal that also provides steering guidance, bout and total area recording.
Hi-Spec has given its 10-year-old Xcel 1250 spreader a complete overhaul. The new model’s improvements include the ability to accurately and evenly spread to 24m.
It has a capacity of 12 tonnes and typical discharge time of 3-5 minutes. Factory-fitted weigh cells can now be specified, along with GPS application mapping.
Joskin, in collaboration with John Deere, is offering real time technology to analyse NPK slurry composition to help meet agricultural, economical and environmental objectives.
The Isobus-linked system is fitted on tankers with a proportional flow meter. Analysis of the main components of the slurry is carried out at the tanker outlet.
This information is then sent to a JOSKIN computer which combines it with the flow meter data. Tractor speed and flow can then be regulated to meet the target values set by the user.
Even lift from new subsoiler
JC Machinery is displaying the Imants Culter 3.0 subsoiler, which is designed to meets the need for a cultivator that can be easily combined with a spader at a low cost with less tractive force.
The machine comes with six straight Culter tines as standard that ensure even lifting and breaking of the subsoil without unwanted displacement of the upper layer and with a uniform soil profile across the entire working width.
Heavy-duty flail toppers
Spaldings has added a range of flail toppers to its field equipment product line.
The heavy-duty implements range from 1.8m to 2.8m rigid, 4.8m and 6.1m folding and 2.2m with a swing-arm offset mechanism.
The 2.5m and 2.8m TMS models have a twin headstock so they can be operated on the front or rear tractor hitch.
The new Vario range of Muthing mulchers will be introduced at LAMMA by UK agent Simon Richard.
The machines feature a hood that, in conjunction with high rotor and cutting speeds and fixed shredding bar, is designed to spread cut material evenly behind the roller. As well as being used on crop debris they are suited to forage and pasture maintenance, says the company.
New drills make their mark
Claydon Drills is launching a 3m Hybrid T3 trailed drill at LAMMA 2017. The Hybrid T3 can deliver seed only or a combination of seed and fertiliser.
It can sow directly into stubble, can be used in min-till or on ploughed/cultivated land, across a wide range of soil types, conditions and crops.
The machine T3 incorporates nine tungsten carbide leading tines to eliminate compaction, aerate the soil, optimise drainage and create tilth for the seeding zone. Seeding tines create additional tilth and place seed at the optimum depth. Several tine/disc options are available.
The company is offering a kit to enable farmers who already own a mounted equivalent to convert it to the new trailed specification.
Horsch’s Express KR drill is now available as a grain and fertiliser version with pressurised grain and fertiliser tanks. Hopper capacity has been increased to 2,000 litres.
The Express KR power harrow and drill combination is available in 3m, 3.5m and 4m working widths. The drill uses the TurboDisc 2 seed coulters to precisely follow the soil surface and features hydraulic rams to control sowing depth.
The new mounted Maestro from Horsch features pneumatic single grain technology to offer speed and precision control at high speed.
Available in either 8-row or 12-row configurations, each row has a 70-litre seed hopper feeding its own seed metering device. 300kg coulter pressure can be adjusted on the move.
New twin-disc trailed spreader
KUHN Farm Machinery is launching a new, high capacity trailed fertiliser spreader at LAMMA. Aimed at large scale arable and grassland operations, the new Axent 100.1 is said to be the first trailed machine to offer variable rate spreading and automatic section control.
The hydraulically driven Axis PowerPack spreads granular fertilisers across working widths of 18 to 50m. It continuously adjusts the spreading rate across the machine’s entire width by measuring the torque on each spreading disc and adjusting the flow rate to ensure spreading accuracy. The spreader has a hopper capacity of 9,400 litres.
Upgraded mounted crop sprayer
KUHN will also display its upgraded Deltis mounted crop sprayer, which features a new chassis, tank and valve system. The Deltis 2 is available with a range of spraying booms including steel and aluminium booms from 15 to 24m.
Loader wagons
Pottinger’s newFaro and Europrofi “D” models are the latest addition to the company’s loader wagon-based zero grazing system, offering a one-pass approach to harvesting fresh grass.
Cutting takes place ahead of the tractor with a 3m-wide front disc mower, which forms a windrow between the tractor wheels.
The grass is then collected by the cam-controlled pick up and passed to a large diameter feeding rotor. The new models are equipped with rear discharge beaters and a wide cross conveyor belt to allow feed passage unloading with no re-handling.
Big mowers for smaller tractors
Hi-Spec, a new entrant to the grassland machinery market, is displaying a pre-series production model of their new AutoCut triple mower.
Mowing widths of 9.8m (RH980) and 10.5m (RH1050) are planned. The latter would be one of the widest tractor-powered triple mowers on the market.
The semi-mounted machines will be offered as a straight mower or with a conditioner. They incorporate a hydraulic suspension system designed to carry virtually all the mower’s weight on the frame, so can be used with smaller tractors than normal for a mower this size, says the company.
New Crimper Roller
Opico is unveiling a new HE-VA Crimper Roller, a knife roller designed to roll, cut and bruise cover crops in front of a direct drill, to ease drilling and speed up degradation of the cover crop.
The machine has angled edges set at 140mm spacing to cut or bruise the cover crop every 140mm along its length. The Crimper Roller uses an HE-VA front press frame that trails rather than pushes the machine, ensuring it steers smoothly/.
The Crimper Roller is available in a 3m rigid model, or 3m, 4m or 6m folding models.
Irrigation
A new centre-pivot irrigation system from Bauer is being introduced to UK growers at LAMMA.
The Centerstar 9000 operates with fixed or wheeled pivot towers (the latter enabling the system to be relocated) constructed from galvanised steel and scaled to suit a number of span sections covering up to 220ha in one go.
Satellite guidance can also be used to accurately irrigate segments within the scope of the irrigation boom, while the touch screen unit can store several irrigation programmes and provide variable rate watering.
Upgraded round balers
Case IH’s 122cm x 125cm RB 545 stand-alone and RB 545 Silage Pack combination round balers feature a new 220cm pick-up with 5.5mm tines on five tine bars.
A 20-blade chopper is standard, offering a range of blade engagement, with 52mm minimum theoretical chop length. A hydraulic drop floor is standard with the option to add a rotor de-clutch system for increased protection, and ten-rib chamber rollers replace the former four-rib units.
Options include a bale turner and larger flotation tyres.
New bale grab
Heath Engineering, making its first appearance at LAMMA, is showing the Heath Super Grab and the Heath Super Spike.
The Heath Super Grab offers a total ‘free release system’ enabling safer bale stacking and loading. Bales are held using four Hardox tines. The Heath Super Grab can handle various sized bales either vertically or horizontally.
Vertical feeder range
A new range of twin- and triple-auger vertical feeders from Keenan are the first products stemming from a recently announced collaboration between Keenan and Storti.
The Keenan VA2-18 is the first in a series being brought to market for the over 18m3 space.
The robust feeders are mounted on a custom-built chassis. Standard features include heavy-duty augers, front and rear discharge doors with trays for dual feed out, two additional blades at the top of each auger for faster processing of bales, sprint paddles for speed and consistency of feed out and a two-speed gearbox.
New parts from drawings
A new service has been launched by J F Hudson Ltd to help farmers access equipment parts that are not easily available from other sources.
The service, ‘CAD n Cut’, uses computer-aided design to create 2D and 3D drawings of parts from which computer-controlled laser-, plasma- and water-cutting equipment and 3D printers can manufacture component parts in a range of materials.
The process can increase the efficiency of equipment and reducing running costs, says the company. It provides an easier method of prototyping and can extend the usable life of machines, including those for which parts are no longer available.
On-the go tyre-pressure changing
TractAir will announce a new range of products that allow on-the move tyre pressure alterations.
The Central Tyre Inflation Systems (CTIS) allow operators to change pressures from inside the cab at the touch of a button, in motion and at any speed.
Low pressures can quickly be selected in the field to spread the weight of the machine and maximise grip. When returning to the road, tyres can be inflated to give stability, fuel efficiency and minimum tyre wear.
New security tracking devices
Some of the smallest tracking products in the world will be presented at LAMMA’17 by Automatrics.
The new micro systems have full NFU Mutual approval. Professional criminals know how to defeat GPS only location trackers in seconds, but Automatrics UHF location technology ensures the company still recovers 98% of protected assets, even if they are located inside shipping containers, says Automatrics.
Grain instruments
Perten has introduced its new Falling Number 1000 for measuring alpha-amylase activity in flour and grain.
The new system includes functions for automatic water level control, automatic start/stop and an easy to use touch screen interface. No calibration is required.
Perten’s new AM5800 is a manual moisture meter which analyses moisture levels and specific weight within 20 seconds. The portable and robust system allows farmers to sample check their grain quality levels to laboratory standard analysis straight from the field, in store and at the dryer.
New tyre range
Unity Tyres has recently launched the Tianli range into the UK replacement market. The manufacturer, Tutric, has received a $350m investment from its Chinese parent company to upgrade its production facility which extends to 32ha.
The range of tractor radial, flotation, industrial MPT as well as EM ‘Super Giant’ will be expanded for the European and international market. This includes the most popular UK and European sizes in 85, 70, 75 and 65 Series.
LAMMA ’17 will take place at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th January 2017.
