MACHINERY AND TRACTOR Low level application can make better use of slurry nutrients, and the latest trailing bringing the operation in reach of farmers wishing to control their own spreading.
sho Jan
Putting slurry to work on-fa
W
ith a 400-cow dairy herd at Fields Farm, Market Drayton, Shropshire, slurry spreading is an important task for Charlie Furnival. As such, he has recently invested in application technology to make the most of muck as a source of nutrients for the 355-hectare holding. Mr Furnival says: “We pump
from two clay lagoons and have previously spread the slurry via a tanker with splash-plate. “As a grass-fed system, we make rotational applications as soon as the cows come off each field, also spreading on the silage ground. “However, I was keen to find a system to cut losses to the atmosphere and utilise the slurry better, so undertook some research.” Mr Furnival’s experience of low
An autofill system with turbo-filler has been specified and Mr Furnival says it makes a big difference to work rates.
level application systems was limited to his contractor’s umbilical dribble bar system but, after studying the topic, he opted for a trailing shoe applicator.
Injector This uses a dribble boom with self-sharpening shares to part the grass plant leaves and place slurry on the soil surface via a rubber injector cone located behind the share.
Trailing shoe specification ■ Model: SlurryKat Farm Line trailing shoe applicator ■ Working width: 7.5 metres (6m also available) ■ Transport width: 2.4m ■ Transport height: 3.2m ■ Outlets: 30 ■ Delivery spacing: 250mm ■ Weight: 496kg ■ Tractor hydraulic requirement: Three, double-acting spools ■ Attachment: Via a ‘bolt-on’ kit with integrated storage legs/ hatch mount kit for tankers with inspection hatch ■ Options: Splash plate attachment ■ Control options: From tractor spools/switch box/Ecomatic touch control and proportional joystick ■ Price: £11,440 for 7.5m model (6m, £10,240)
6680 T
According to the manufacturer, trailing shoe applicators are said to reduce nitrogen losses by up to 80 per cent, compared to a splash plate. “I opted for Slurry Kat as the range looked to offer a good quality implement without the costs of the premium ranges,” says Mr Furnival. Equipment of choice is the firm’s Farm Line 7.5-metre trailing shoe applicator, fitted to a 16,000-litre vacuum tanker with self-fill system. The applicator is bolted onto the frame for easy removal if required, although Mr Furnival says the tanker is also equipped with a splash plate which can be used with the trailing shoe applicator in place and folded.
Application A single beam frame carries the steering shoe elements which are fixed at 250mm spacings. Each element can swivel by up to 15 degrees in either direction, maintaining constant application of the slurry while turning around curves. Delivery hoses are urea and UV resistant and the frame folds vertically in an angular shape to maintain rearward visibility when being transported. The shoes also flip up to increase ground clearance when lifted and avoid dripping. Slurry is pumped to the applicator via a single macerator distribu-
STRONG AND SMART
Our most popular telescopic wheel loader just got even better! The 6680 T now has greater comfort and ergonomics, stronger axles, higher torque and 20in tyres, all as standard.
SCHAFFER.UK.COM 16 | MAY 2020
MTM p16 17 May15 BB JR GG.indd 2
FGinsight.com
12/05/2020 10:43
