Machinery
The Grimme Prios 440 is a 4-row cup planter with standard 75cm row widths, but an overall transport width under 3m.
New planters and harvesters feature at European launch Grimme announced new and updated products in its potato and beet planting and harvesting ranges during a product launch event and demonstration, in Germany in late June. David Williams reports. Four-row cup planter
Innovative ridge shaper
The Prios 440 is a four-row trailed cup planter which is designed to work in conjunction with a pre-cultivator, and it has a road transport width of below 3m. An extended goose-neck drawbar allows it to be trailed behind an active cultivation tool such as a power-harrow or rotary cultivator. Because it relies on the goose-neck coupling rather than direct linkage mounting, it is easy to swap the tillage implement without removing the planter each time.
Plastic ridging bodies can be combined with closed ridge crown plates for a smooth finish or cage rollers for a crumbly texture, but a new option is to combine the two elements. Grimme says that the unique ‘hybrid-ridge shaping unit’ creates a ridge with stable, smooth flanks and an open pored crown. The hybrid unit can be converted and adjusted in the field without tools, allowing it to be adapted to changing soil conditions as well as customer requirements. To increase the water infiltration rate and help prevent soil erosion, the ridge shaping unit can be additionally equipped with the ‘TerraProtect’ profiling system.
Depth control of the fertiliser outlet discs The furrow openers, covering discs and ridge shaping unit are all independently adjusted, and overall working depth is set by four feeler wheels at the front of the machine and two ultrasonic sensors in front of the ridge shaping unit which detect the working depth and ensure optimum control for even emergence of the tubers.
Section control Independent control of each planting section includes the fertiliser box, the barrel system and the planting elements which can each be switched on or off independently. This allows the user to avoid applying nutrients where they aren’t needed, such as in tramline areas or on unplanted land on diagonal headlands, which is better for the environment and saves money.
Convenient road transport
benefits of a mechanical and hydraulic drive transmission. With ‘Speedtronic Web’, the conveying speed of all the main webs is continuously and automatically adjusted in relation to the load and driving speed. Grimme offers a unique range of separator options, including MultiSep, double MultiSep, RollerSep roller separators or the HaulmSep fine haulm elevator, and all are available with automatic functions. For maximum separation performance the double separator and TurboSep blower can be combined. For increased crop protection, the separators can now be set at a steeper downward angle so that the conveying capacity increases compared to the separating capacity.
Revised machine operation and monitoring
customers have the option of using either a tractor Isobus-compatible terminal when available, or the CCI 800 or CCI 1200 Isobus operator terminals which allow use on any tractor. The optional SmartView video system with a 12in touchscreen monitor includes zoom, slow motion, and live image displays of all the machine functions. Remote monitoring of machine performance and task data is available through the MyGrimme internet platform with links to farm management software through Agrirouter.
Select 200 elevator harvester Grimme also announced a new tworow elevator harvester with a unique steering system and a transport width under 3m.
Infinitely variable main web drives Optional ‘VarioDrive’ allows infinitely variable speed control and reversing of the main webs – combining
Isobus is standard, allowing direct control from the main terminal of suitably equipped tractors, or CCI 800 or CCI 1200 displays, to be used. A wide range of settings can be made and adjusted through the terminals, including the automatic SpeedtronicWeb and Speedtronic-Elevator functions. Connection to the MyGrimme operator interface is standard, allowing machine and task data to be exchanged with farm management software through Agrirouter.
New steering The ActiveSteer automatic axle steering uses electronic control and hydraulic activation, so it doesn’t require an additional coupling point on the tractor. Headland turning is improved with a tighter steering angle and optimal guidance into the row. When cornering, the target angle of the wheel position is calculated, and the axle is actively controlled. The system is set up from the Isobus terminal, and manual override is available. continued over…
The Prios 440 retains the standard 75cm row format, but optional telescopic axles make it easy to reduce the width from 3.3m for working to below 3.0m for transport. In addition, protruding working elements are retracted within the frame. Being able to easily reduce the size for transport adds convenience for all users where travel by road is required, and especially for contractors working at multiple locations.
Simple operation The new Prios comes with Isobus connectivity as standard, and
The Select 200 trailed harvester.
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