Friday, 03 June 2022 12:55

Precision guidance

Written by  Staff Reporters
The Steketee EC-Steer parallel steering frame from German manufacturer Lemken. The Steketee EC-Steer parallel steering frame from German manufacturer Lemken.

With growing interest in mechanical weed control to avoid the spiraling costs of herbicides, the Steketee EC-Steer parallel steering frame from German manufacturer Lemken turns un-steered hoeing machines from other manufacturers into implements with joystick or camera-controlled steering.

Offering a simple option for farmers or growers looking to upgrade their existing hoeing technology or swap between systems, a three-point mounted steering frame enables smooth and precise steering.  Working with open lower link stabilisers at the tractor means there are no lateral movements being transferred between the tractor and the steering frame. Drivers can control the machine from their seat using a joystick or the IC-Light camera steering system. Camera steering enables the machine to differentiate between crop plants and weeds by recognising different shades of green or the RGB colour spectrum, resulting in automated hoeing to within two centimetres of the plant.

The parallel steering frame is available as an integral part of standard Steketee machines or as a stand-alone unit that can be used to upgrade other hoeing machines. Available in two versions, the EC-Steer 7 is suitable for hoes weighing up to 2,500kg and a maximum working width of six metres. An open three-point headstock allows a camera to be positioned centrally on the steering frame to cover a large field of view.
The EC-Steer 9 features a reinforced frame, so is suitable for larger hoes weighing up to 4,000kg and a working width of up to nine metres.

www.lemken.com

More like this

Temporary slurry tanks – cheap, easy to install

With effluent management never far from the thoughts of legislators and farmers becoming increasingly aware of the nutrient values of dairy effluent, innovate ideas for the convenient storage and subsequent discharge are always of interest.

900,000 tractors sold in India

While the average size of a tractor in India is much smaller than in Europe or North America, the market is booming, with a record 915,474 tractors sold last year – five times greater than the Western European and three times larger than North American markets.

Machinery builder in liquidation

In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.

PM opens new Power Farming facility

Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.

Made in NZ: TRS Tyre & Wheel Ltd

Made in New Zealand looks at the wealth of design and manufacturing ability we have in New Zealand, creating productive and cost-effective products for the agricultural sector. This week machinery editor Mark Daniel takes a closer look at TRS Tyre and Wheel Limited with managing director Nigel Sherborne…

Featured

Celebrating success

The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.

Biosecurity award for M. bovis work

A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.

Cyclone's devastating legacy

One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.

Govt praised for handling of China over cyber attacks

One of the country's leading experts on China has praised the NZ Government for its handling of the recent incident with China over that country's cyber attack on two of our parliamentary institutions in 2021.

Woolworks scour reopens after $50m rebuild

The world’s largest wool processing facility, badly damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle over one year ago, has re-opened following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Plant-based bubble bursts

OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter