Expanding SARDA's Research Capacity

The Zurn 550 High-Clearance Multifunctional Tool Carrier with the swather attachment

Expanding SARDA’s Research Capacity

August, 2019 SARDA News

Pictured above is SARDA’s latest addition to its research equipment fleet, the Zurn 550 High-Clearance Multifunctional Tool Carrier. Through the cooperation and partnerships of Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, the Agriscience and Innovation Program, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), the Peace Region Forage Seed Association (PRFSA), Calvin Yoder with the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, and SARDA, we were successful in our application to purchase the pictured swather and a Wintersteiger pick-up header for our combine. The total value of the acquisitions was $210,000. A wonderful example of how partnerships and working together can support and advance the local agricultural industry.

This equipment will increase SARDA’s research capacity by allowing more flexibility in harvesting techniques so that we better mimic the local agronomic practices and evaluate their effectiveness. The swather and pick-up header will be used this year and coming years for grass seed production trials and for the Canola Performance Trials (CPT). With the grass seed production trials, we will be able to harvest larger small plots which should provide better data with less variability. In the CPT’s, we will be able to evaluate new canola varieties for pod shatter and harvestability both with swathing and straight cut havest methods. Many producers are moving to the practice of straight-cut harvesting of canola and are eager to know what losses are likley with both mehods and with the new canola varieties that boast less pod shatter and higher yields.

The interior of the Zurn 550 High-clearance Multifunctional Tool Carrier

In the previous years, SARDA has only had a staight cut header for its research plot combine. While excellent for cereal and pulse production and mimics the harvest techniques of the area, we also had to use it for other crops that are traditionally swather prior to combining. With the new pick-up header and swather, we will be better able to emulate the harvest techniques used locally.

The Zurn 550 High-Clearance Multifunctional Tool Carrier was purchased with a swather attachement and plot divider but has the capacity to handle several additional tools. This unit has three mounting areas; the front, rear and inter-axel locations, two hydraulic power takeoff shafts; front and back, and 2 double acting auxillary hydraulic connections. It has a very high ground clearance (63 inches) and adjustable track width to suit many types of trial layouts and crops. It is a hydrostatic 4-wheel drive with large tires for high traction and reduced pressure on the ground in all operating conditions. The spacious cab provides a comfortable working environment with air-conditioning, heating and working lights, ergonomic controls with a multifunctional joystick, an air-spring seat, great visibility and a high level of safety to protect staff. It uses the same high perforamnace engine used in the the Zurn 150 units which boast easy and fast spare part access and replacements. The engine is a 4 cylinder Yanmar/John Deere watercooled diesel engine rated to have 68 hp with a 3.3 litre displacement, and a torque of 245 Nm.

Because it is very important that plot materials do not overlap, the unit was purchased with a high performance plot divider which is stated to be extra-ordinarily gentle on crops. The long shallowsloping torpedoes on the front are hydraulically powered with the width adjustment automatically adjusted with the track width adjustment.

The Zurn 550 High Clearance Multi-functional Tool Carrier with the swather attachment in action.

In the future, SARDA may look at several of the other specialty attachements. Already available for the unit are pheumatic plot fertilizer spreaders with dirtributor arms, sprayer systems, and mounting platforms for additional sensor sytems. This unit is designed to meet the many specialized needs of agricultural research and should provide many years of service for SARDA.

By Shelleen Gerbig, P.Ag