LAMMA 2014 gives farmers and contractors the first opportunity of the new year to take a close look at Knight Farm Machinery’s expanded range of cultivators, including Bednar machines from the Czech Republic, and the latest mounted sprayers.
Knight is now the sole UK importer of Bednar equipment, which is well established in central and eastern Europe, and is manufactured in a wide range of designs and specifications. Three models in particular have been identified by Knight as complementing its own machines and being particularly relevant for British farmers.
The Fenix FO is a versatile cultivator with four rows of auto-reset tines with quick-change SpeedLoc points that can be adjusted to work from 50mm to 350mm deep. Behind the tines is a row of levelling discs and a rear packer roller that can be raised out of work in unfavourable conditions. This model is available from 4m to 7m wide.
With working widths from 4.5 to 14 metres, the Swifterdisc range greatly increases the size of equipment available from Knight and allows very high daily acreages to be achieved. These machines have two rows of aggressively serrated discs with hydraulic depth control and can work at high speeds to maximise work-rates. There is a choice of packer rollers at the rear.
Bednar’s Swifter Concept models have been developed for final seedbed preparation after ploughing and in minimum tillage systems. A mounting frame allows different soil-working elements to be used to suit soil conditions and produce the fine seedbeds required for crops such as sugar beet and vegetables. A typical layout includes four rows of tines, rear levelling bar, double crosskill roller and a finishing roller.
Knight’s new mounted sprayer, which will be at LAMMA alongside current self-propelled and trailed machines, are available with 1200, 1500 and 1900 litre polyethylene tanks and booms from 12 to 30 metres wide. Booms can fold horizontally in the conventional way or vertically to give unrestricted access to the tractor cab. Boom design combines strength, rigidity and protection for spray-lines and nozzles.
The sprayer is carried close to the rear of the tractor and is easily mounted and demounted. It has substantial parking legs and leans backwards when parked, creating space for the operator when connecting the PTO, pipes and cables. The standard specification includes full remote control of boom functions, chemical induction hopper and internal washing system for the main tank.
