Amazone improves spreading accuracy

The above comparison lines show the greater spreading control achieved using the section control method

With the Headland Control system, operators can enter their desired switch-on and switch-off points to prevent areas of under- and over-fertilisation from occurring

In some situations the operator has to drive off the tram lines to turn the sprayers off and then on again, which can lead to over-application of fertiliser where the spraying overlap occurs (above). To prevent this, seven radar sensors are positioned above each of the spreading discs to monitor the spread pattern and automatically adjust the application of fertiliser to compensate (below)

hitting the mark

Amazone has pushed the spreading accuracy of its ZA-TS twin-disc centrifugal mounted spreaders to new heights with the refinement of its GPS-Switch section control technology

GPS-Switch automatically controls the spreading pattern of the spreading discs when approaching headlands or operating in wedge-shaped fields. Claas Harvest Centre product specialist Amazone & Precision Joshua Patrick says the company’s new SwitchPoint function takes the concept one step further by allowing the operator to dictate the precise ‘on’ and ‘off’ points according to the working width and fertiliser type. “On large working widths, the ‘switch-on’ point determined by the controller is often far beyond the headland and out into the paddock,” he says. “The spreader then switches off once it reaches the point where the backwards-facing spread fan meets the previouslyspread headland area. “Under certain circumstances, the switch-off point may be beyond the headland so that the tractor would have to be driven off the tramline in order for the spreader to switch off automatically. “This can lead to small zones of over-fertilisation and underfertilisation when turning at headlands. “To resolve this, the operator can now enter their desired switch-on and switch-off points in the new HeadlandControl function in the menu of the AmaTron 4 and AmaTron Twin ISOBUS terminals before operation.” While spreading on the headland, the outside disc performs a border spreading function, while the delivery point of the fieldside disc is rotated outwards so that the spread fan is drawn further into the crop. “The headland spread is therefore increased towards the fieldside, whereby the switch-off point can be increased in front of the corresponding headland tramline. “This means the spreader will switch off before reaching the headland tramline and the steering line of the tractor.” In addition, the part-width section control has been optimised by adapting the shape of the spread pattern. “When the spreader arrives at the headland, the outer partwidth sections are switched off first followed by the inner ones,” Patrick says. “When leaving the headland, the outer and then the inner partwidth sections are switched on. In the case of ZA-TS, this can be performed in a very tight tolerance with up to 128 automatic part-width sections. The combination of HeadlandControl and the new part-width section control leads to optimal distribution of fertiliser on headlands.” The GPS-Switch Switchpoint system compliments Amazone’s new Argus Twin lateral distribution optimisation technology. This system features seven radar sensors mounted above each of the spreading discs, which monitor the spread pattern and then automatically adjust the electric delivery system of each disc if any deviation from the settings is detected.