Table of contents for October 2021 in Profi

The Dutch firm is testing 15m and 18m prototype disc-based slurry injectors. The two XL models will be available for the 2022 slurry season. Completing the Profi series, which was developed to provide the flexibility to work on tramlines, the XL models join the recently launched Eco (5.25m to 7.50m) and Profi versions (7.50m to 12m). The frame and folding/unfolding cylinders on the two XLs are essentially the same. The main difference is the new technique to fold and unfold the five-section 15.0m and seven-section 18.0m injectors.In the field, the oscillating design of the five or seven sections allows them to follow ground contours. The two wider widths are equipped with the familiar duo elements with double or new single V-discs (both on a 18.75cm row spacing). The V-disc is…

The 7,500-litre R975i is the biggest biggest trailed sprayer so far from John Deere. Fitted with the proven PowrSpray dual-circuit solution system, the R975i will join the rest of the R900i Series line-up (tank capacities of 4,400, 5,200 and 6,200 litres) in 2022. For the first time on the company’s sprayers, the M900(i) and R900i models will offer the option of 25cm nozzle spacing, with an additional nozzle placed between each 50cm nozzle body on the boom. A nozzle body and additional nozzle have also been inserted at each end of the boom to provide full coverage and eliminate underdosing. All John Deere trailed sprayer ranges for 2022 will also benefit from the options launched on the R700i Series this year. These include individual nozzle control, which limits over- or…

It's hardly classified information that Case IH, New Holland and Steyr are built on the same platform, with the engine, axles, transmission, linkage and hydraulics often shared between the brands. Yet recently there has been a change of tack at CNH Industrial, where the management is instigating some greater differences in specs and features between the trio. As part of this differentiation, Steyr has developed its own multifunction armrest for the Expert, the red and white version of Case IH's Vestrum CVX. According to the brochure, with its stepless transmission the four-model range should be as versatile as the smaller Multi (Luxxum) but as powerful and comfortable as the larger Profi (Maxxum) models. Naturally, this piqued our interest, especially since we'd just tested the eight-speed semi-powershift New Holland T5.140 DC…

Earlier this summer we had the opportunity of an exclusive first drive of New Holland’s latest generation T7 HD tractors. While the 250hp to 300hp line-up might not account for a huge share of the company’s sales across the board, the HD is the first of the firm’s models to get the much anticipated new cab – the Horizon Ultra. So, no apologies then that it’s the cockpit we focus on here, hardware changes to the HD being relatively minor. This is significant news as it’s nearly two decades since New Holland introduced the original Horizon cabin – its first four-poster. While there have been various updates and facelifts to the interior trim and controls in that time, the basics have remained pretty much the same. Now however that’s set…

With a working width now maxing out at a monster 14m, the Top 1403C steps in as the top dog in the Pöttinger rake line-up. The previous biggest model was the 12.5m Top 1252C, which remains available. To achieve this extra crop gathering, the front rotors have been increased in size from 3.30m in diameter to 3.70m. These are mounted on a parallel linkage with a double-acting ram on either side to continuously adjust the raking width from 9.0m to 14m. Hybrid drive Pottinger relies on a mix of hydraulic and mechanical drive to power the rotors — oil for the front, driveshafts for the rear. Why the two different approaches? Routing hydraulic hoses to the variable-width front rotors is much simpler than a mechanical driveline, and there are fewer…

Some operators love to turn their machinery into Christmas trees, festooning tractors, combines and pickups with extra lights in the hope of easier night work. Or maybe (whisper it) just to impress their mates. Either way the result is not guaranteed to be effective, either in cost or in better vision. Although there may be plenty more lumens about, these may not land in the right place: get things wrong and bounced light can end up dazzling the user or operators working in the same field, while lamp control circuitry can generate electrical noise and interfere with the radio. And that would not be good. Options Not so long ago, the halogen filament bulb was king. And it’s still good; just older. Light from from a halogen source, directed by…

Usually, the in-cab screen is the only part of the system that's visible, but ISObus is so much more than just a one-connection terminal. Several components need to speak to each other to make the ‘buttons’ you are pressing work. At the heart of the system is the job computer on the implement and the screen (UT) in the tractor. The job computer controls the main functions: application rate, section control or something much simpler such as lifting and lowering a pick-up. If connected to an ISObus-compatible terminal, the job computer will tell the screen which icons go where and what other info needs to be shown to the user. ISObus is based on the CANbus (Controlled Area Network). Each connected client (UT, job computer, etc.) is given a Bus…

The ISObus database of the AEF (aefisobus-database.org) shows which functions can be implemented in which combination. The database is also available as an app for smartphones. Access to the database is free of charge for farmers who can then configure their individual machine combination. In each case, it is shown for which functions the selected devices and implements are certified and which common range of functions results from this. Only machines included in the database were ISObus certified by an ISObus test centre. The actual number of functions may differ from what is indicated in the database, because not all manufacturers have initiated this certification for all their machine functions. It may be that only the UT function is shown as an intersection in the database. In practice, however, it…

Claas is set to replace pretty much all of the Tucano line up with the new eight model Trion – a pair of five walkers, a trio of six-walkers, a duo of narrow body, single rotor hybrids and one twin rotor hybrid with most available with Terra Tracs or the Montana self-levelling system. The only Tucano survivor is the baby in the range, the 320. The inner workings of both the Trion walker and hybrid models will be familiar to users of the previous generation of Lexions. But there is a bit more going on under the fresh panel work and new cab. For instance, all 20 variants of the Trion use a British-built 6.7 or 8.9-litre, six-cylinder Cummins engine which is said to offer the right amount of torque, power…

The Smart Attach quick hitch system allows the operator to automatically connect and lock hydraulically powered wheeled loader attachments from the safety of the cab. Reducing the time it takes to swap attachments, with the coupling unit’s integrated locking display, the operator can always see that the attachment is securely connected. For all machines already fitted with the new quick-change plate, the display also features an illuminated indicator. Initially available as an option on the large 5-series and some machines in the premium 8-series range, the patented system can be used with non-hydraulic attachments and those with conventional hydraulic coupling systems. Retrofit kits are available to enable existing attachments to be fitted with the system.…

Turkish manufacturer Novatar is seeking a UK and Irish dealer for a three-model KT range of rear-mounted tractor loaders; the KT-2000, KT-3000 and KT-5000. Suitable for 60hp tractors, maximum lift capacity of the KT-2000 is 1.0t to 4.0m (maximum tipping height is 3.0m) and the loader weighs 300kg. Lifting 1.0t to a maximum height of 4.2m, the 390kg KT-3000 requires a 65hp+ tractor. Maximum lift capacity of the KT-5000 is 1.0t to 5.0m. Maximum dump height is 4.0m and the loader weighs 415kg. Minimum tractor power requirement is 75hp. All three models are said to be easy to fit to all tractor brands. Founded in 1979, initially as a mower maker, Novatar Agricultural Machines makes a wide range of kit, including ploughs, cultivators, drills, rolls, fertiliser spreaders, grass kit, muck spreaders…

If you want to buy an Amazone Catros XL, your options are 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0m rigid mounted or 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 or 8.0m semi-mounted, the latter having either trailed or integrated running gear. For this test we opted for the popular 3.0m version and then tooled it up with the firm’s new straw harrow or knife roller depending on what type of ground we were tackling at the time. Customise to be versatile From the outset the XL was designed as a modular machine with the option of adding these different leading tools for increased flexibility. This allows buyers to customise the harrow to their specific requirements, be it incorporating stubble, or chopping and mixing in a cover crop to a depth of 16cm. But the list of…

For many years, Güttler has offered the GreenMaster harrow with a seeder that broadcasts seed from a series of spreader plates behind the tines. The downside to broadcasting is that, if the grass is wet or you're working in a denser stand, some of the seed will not actually reach the ground where it can germinate. More precision This is why the company has developed a new seed boot that still offers all the advantages of a grass harrow with greatly improved seed placement. We were able to harrow and reseed around 100ha earlier this year with the new GreenMaster 600 tine seeder. In terms of build, the 600 has seed delivery tubes welded to the back of each tine. The tube ends are slotted so the air can escape…

When Lemken first introduced its front hopper back in 2018, it was to go with the Azurit maize drill to supply fertiliser. Soon afterwards the front tank was paired with a new OptiDisc coulter bar for the 4.0m and 4.5m Zirkon power harrows. Now with the addition of ISObus and other new features, the German machinery maker is debuting a 6.0m folding power harrow drill. 1,900-litres Hopper capacity of the 6.0m addition to the Solitair 23 is still 1,900 litres, and there is the £5,100 option of press wheels underneath. The passive steering wheels are a generously sized 340/55-16 and can be retrofitted at a later date as long as you opted for the heavier frame (£900) on Day One. Lemken has sited the wheels far forward to improve the…

With the 12TD, Horsch can now offer a tandem-axle sprayer, with its double tank having a total holding capacity of 12m³. Now, while a really big trailed sprayer like this might be all fine and dandy on flat land, add a couple of hills, and things can literally spin to a halt as the liquid shifts to the back, taking the necessary weight away from the tractor's back wheels. This issue can be solved by adding a lifting axle, some form of traction boosting aid or even wheel weights to the towing tactor. And just like there are several ways to skin the proverbial cat, Horsch Leeb has taken another path and given its big tandem-axle sprayers a double tank. The front holds 7,000 litres, while the rear has a…

Any ground-engaging kit is going to wear, and disc harrows are no different. But it's not just the discs that will eventually wear out; the bearings will, too, despite manufacturers' best efforts to prolong their service life without any maintenance. With its 620mm scalloped discs, the Rubin 9 is at the heavy-duty end of the short disc harrow scale. Disc bearings have evolved a lot since the Rubin 9 was first introduced. Earlier models, up to 2007, still sported hubs that were welded to the leg, while more recent models are bolted, making them much easier to replace. Here we focus on the newer design, but don’t fret if you have an older Rubin. We explained how to replace the welded hub design, which is also used on the levelling…

Ever since Massey Ferguson introduced the 8600 tractors with an SCR unit to help kerb emissions way back in 2008, more and more manufacturers have followed suit. These catalytic converters need an injection of AdBlue in order to treat the exhaust gases as they leave the stack. So, the question is not only how best to store AdBlue (see ‘Tips for handling AdBlue’), but also what a DEF filling station on your farm could look like. But before we get to that, here is some general information on the liquid. How much will it use AdBlue consumption varies greatly depending on the brand of engine and what emission stage it complies with. On current Deutz, FPT and MAN engines, this works out at up to 10% of fuel consumption, whereas…

There was no online option at the recent T Steadman and Sons dispersal sale, but that didn’t seem to limit the Lincolnshire event’s geographical reach and prices achieved. Farmer and dealer buyers made the trip from as far afield as Scotland, Wales and the south of England, and most of the kit fetched decent money. Perhaps the one disappointing factor on sale day was the notable absence of any dealers from Ireland or mainland Europe, although this came as no great surprise bearing in mind the combined effects of COVID and Brexit. “The reality is that we’re currently operating in a two-tier market,” comments auctioneer Mike Johnson. “Well-looked-after modern machinery, with not too much age to it, is selling at a premium, whereas the rest, though it generally still finds…

Bale shredders can offer a versatile tool for chopping hay and silage for a mixer wagon as well as preparing straw for bedding, and it’s useful to consider what the machine will be used for most when comparing different designs. Discs that gently pull the straw apart will produce a longer end product than those that use a rotor or turbine with knives to break it up; passing the material from the knives to a screen can give an even shorter, more consistent chop suitable for poultry bedding or as an ingredient in a TMR mix. “Straw is used less and less for bedding cattle so we see reduced demand for machines designed to handle straw only,” comments Richard Burman, marketing director of longstanding manufacturer, Kidd Farm Machinery. “However, they…

The Burel Group’s acquisition of a majority stake in Italian machinery maker Frandent ensures continued long-term supply of power harrows for Sulky’s Tramline, Master, Progress and TF drills. The agreement provides for the Burel Group to purchase the remaining Frandent shares in 2025. The French company first approached Frandent in 2001 with a request for the Italian manufacturer to supply it with power harrows for its Sulky drill combinations. It has been a successful partnership and Frandent has supplied more than 10,000 rigid and folding power harrows from 3.0m to 8.0m. Founded in 1977 and based in Osasco, Frandent also makes grassland equipment (tedders, swathers and rakes). There are no current plans to distribute these under the Sulky brand. The Italian firm made over 1,000 power harrows and grassland machines last…

The steeper hood and raised cab improve all round visibility on the new 7250TTV and 7250TTV Heavy Duty. Other updates to the German-built models includes a Stage V engine and a new transmission. Available in 40, 50 and 60km/hr variants (40km/hr at 1,200rpm and 60km/hr at less than 1,800rpm), the stepless transmission in the 7250 HD is the same as that used in the 8280TTV. The 7250 has a slightly smaller version and a different front axle. This gives it a lower payload of 15.5t (16.0t on the HD). The lift capacity of 10.0t is also lower than the 11.1t on the HD, which with its reinforced axles, has the payload capacity and lift of the 8 Series. The Deutz TCD 6.1 block generates a maximum power of 247hp and meets…

Tweaks to the bale chamber on the new Evolution versions of the Claas Quadrant 4200 and 5000 series square balers are designed to produce better shaped and slightly higher density bales. Available next season, these latest models also come with a new HD pick-up. Wear costs on the pick-up have been reduced by increasing the use of components borrowed from the Jaguar and by reworking and strengthening bearings, intake panels and other parts. The result is said to be smoother running with lower noise levels. The enlarged diameter of the pick-up main drive shaft allows it to handle the higher throughput volumes, and the mechanically driven pick-up with five rows of tines and 18 double tines per row has also been tweaked to increase throughput and improve raking quality. The…

Wander into your local Deere dealership to buy a new baler wrapper combination, and the salesman is likely to present you with three options: fixed-chamber C441R (1.25-1.35m diameter); or the 'variables', C451R (0.80-1.60m) and C461R (0.80-1.70m). Having been impressed with the C461R after our short stint in the seat baling second-cut silage for the 11/2019 driving impression, we decided to get the baler back for a practical test and see what it's like in a greater range of crops throughout the 2020 season. Attachment to the tractor So, where better to start than the front. Our test spec machine had the £633 optional K80 spoon, so no worries of losing the clip from the drawpin in a bulky swath. The hose holder is a practical set-up, but what annoyed us…

The CTS chaser has undergone a rather lengthy gestation period since farmer and machine designer Tom Carrigan first came up with the concept for his take on the bale-ferrying job around eight years ago. But now, with Samco onboard, the project is ramping up, with the first factory-built prototype in the field this season. And plans are already in place to make a handful of production machines for 2022. The concept Making its first public appearance at the Innovation Arena at the Irish Ploughing in 2016, where it attracted a lot of interest from users and several manufacturers, the CTS returned to Kilkenny to continue development. Samco got involved in the project last year, as it was looking to expand its product range having invested in a new factory capable…

Investing in a pre-owned stone and clod separator is as much about choosing the right model as it is securing a mechanically sound example. Because no two business operations will be exactly alike, it follows that choosing a used separator will need as much careful thought as it would for a new model. In terms of raw spec, key considerations will include bed width, web pitch and choosing between a web or star equipped model. There will typically be a range of used machines available, but your choices will of course vanish if you need one in a hurry. Same old advice. If you want to secure the right machine you need to look well ahead, which is why this guide is appearing now rather than in January. Note: ScanStone…

1 CHECK THE BEARINGS With the disc still on the hub, check the bearings for play, jiggling each disc to see if it moves. The discs that run in the tractor wheelings are more prone to wear. With this done, remove the discs that have any play by undoing the five bolts. 2 REMOVE THE HUB To remove the hub you will need to undo the M30 nut on the bearing pin. Note that the discs on the front row are pitched to the left and have a right-hand (reverse) thread, whereas the second row are pitched to the right and have the usual left-hand thread. The nuts are marked accordingly. Then tighten the nut until it reaches the end of the pin. Next, give the head of the nut a…

hen it comes to cultivation, the techniques of strip-till and ploughing are polar opposites, with the former just targeting the strip of ground that's to be planted, while opting for furrows means that the whole field is worked. It has already been proven that using a strip-till machine to place slurry below seeding depth is beneficial for the following crop, which is why this relatively new approach is becoming more popular in some regions of Germany. Nitrogen emissions, in the form of ammonia, are reduced to lower levels, whereas the ammonium-rich diet of the young plants should promote strong root growth. Working with the Osnabruck University of Applied Sciences, the North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture and Hante, an ag contractor from Velen in the north west of the country, Christian…

In this table you can see the pin assignments of the ISObus connector mirrored with the socket. Note: Eight wires are connected. Pin 5 is connected with a bridge to pin 7. Simple diagnoses can already be made on the Bus with a multimeter. Most errors are down to no power supply. To check, measure the voltage between pins 1 and 3 and between 4 and 2 with the ignition switched on. In both cases, 12V should be present. A measurement between pin 6 and 7 shows if the termination is working. Here, too, 12V should be present. The data lines should have the following voltages when measured: Pin 8 (CAN_H) pin 7 about 3.8V and pin 9 (CAN_L) – pin 7 about 1.2V. The voltage between pin 8 and…