Catros+ gets nutrients right down to plant root levels
New Zealand farmers can learn plenty about effluent management from their European counterparts.
It has a host of technologies including three automatic spreading pattern adjustment systems, automatic calibration, load-dependent electronic braking, hydraulic self-steering and an aperture blockage monitoring system.
The spreader is said to balance capacity, work rates and precision, and theoretically it is possible to spread 40kg/ha over 250ha in 90 minutes before reloading.
The top-of-the-line ProfisPro configuration has an on-board weighing system that automatically regulates the application rate using four weigh cells positioned between the hopper frame and chassis to constantly monitor the amount of fertiliser being discharged. It uses this data to adjust the metering shutter slides and the intelligent fill-level management system.
By constantly measuring how much fertiliser remains in the hopper, the weighing system can determine how much fertiliser is required to complete the job, so avoiding unnecessary travelling in the field with a half-full spreader.
The ZG-TS 10001 also offers the new ArgusTwin and WindControl spreading pattern adjustment systems and FlowCheck aperture blockage monitoring system – released at Agritechnica last year.
The ArgusTwin uses 14 radar sensors to monitor the spreading pattern of the left and right spreading discs, adjusting the spreading pattern of either disc if any deviation from the settings is detected, while an additional tilt sensor compensates for sloping terrain.
WindControl automatically adjusts lateral distribution according to wind speed and direction. The ZG-TS 10001 has Amazone’s proven TS twin disc spreading system using hydraulically driven discs to ensure constant disc speed, precision and uniformity under all operating conditions.
Vane kits can be quickly and simply changed, and the AutoTS system allows the spreader to switch seamlessly from normal to broad spreading without the need to change discs. The optional DynamicSpread part-width section control technology enables switching up to 128 part-width sections in wedge-shaped fields.
The steep hopper profile allows enough room for the same automatic steering system already found on Aamazone’s UX trailed sprayers. It has 28 degrees of pivot angle, meaning the 10001 is capable of true-track steering even with a track width of 1.8m and a tyre width of 520mm.
The spreader follows the same path as the tractor and the paths taken during previous or subsequent spraying operations, minimising crop damage and soil compaction. The steering system automatically switches off once the spreading disc drive is deactivated or ground speed exceeds 25km/h.
Steering, spreading discs and floor belt are powered and controlled via a standard tractor-based load-sensing hydraulic system or a new hybrid system. The latter requires only two-thirds of the oil capacity of the conventional load-sensing system, while the other third is generated via a PTO-driven hydraulic pump mounted on the spreader itself.
Ease of use is achieved by a double-acting spool valve allowing the hopper cover to be quickly rolled back or forth from the tractor cab; and integral leaf springs within the canvas ensure the cover stretches tightly over the hopper to make a weatherproof seal.
Safety is by means of a load-dependent electronic braking system permitting safe road transport at up to 60km/h, using the weighing system to constantly measure the amount of fertiliser inside the hopper and automatically adjusting the braking force.
