Profi July 2022

I 've said this before, but machinery shows aren't just about poring over the latest in farming metal and technology, but also an opportunity to catch up with friends and acquaintances. For me, ScotGrass was the first farm machinery show that I've attended since LAMMA 2020, which felt a little bizarre as I'd normally visit half a dozen exhibitions in most years. So, the 'long and short' is it was great to see and have a chat with some familiar faces at Dumfries. While there weren't loads of new machines being launched, it was the first chance to check out a lot of the kit that has hit the market since my last national show foray. You can read my full report on pages 11-13, and, yes, it was a…

The Krone BaleCollect big bale accumulator can now automatically deposit square bales at right angles along pre-set virtual lines across the direction of travel. Benefits of the new GPS controlled system include faster more efficient collection, less field traffic and operator hassle. Previously, operators had to manually activate the bale discharge function, which the company reckons makes it difficult to deposit bales in perfect straight lines. All the operator needs to do with the new system is drive around the field boundary recording up to five A-B lines along which bales will automatically be dropped off. The BaleCollect accumulator collects up to three 1.2m-wide or up to five 80cm-wide bales.…

Swathing options with the Mergento VT9220 belt-type merger include central and left or right delivery. Pottinger’s first merger can also produce two single swaths and even load forage for a short period. With a working width of up to 9.2m for central delivery and 8.7m when side swathing, material is lifted by the six-row pick-up. The tines retract just before the belt and the 120mm higher transfer point allows material to fall freely onto the conveyor belt. The conveyor unit is said to work well on slopes and with short cut crops, and centre pivot mounting of each belt is said to result in an even weight distribution and good ground tracking. Switching the belts on/off automatically at the headland is said to guarantee tidy swath starts and ends and…

Designed to work at up to 0.7 bar lower field pressures than the previous SprayBib range, claimed benefits of Michelin’s new SprayBib CFO self-propelled sprayer tyres include increased operator comfort, reduced soil compaction and up to a 20% increase in traction. Combining VF (very high flexion) and CFO (cyclical field operation) standards, the reinforced casing design allows pressures to be reduced to 0.7 bar. Other claimed plus points of the new 12-size range include the up to 14% increase in load capacity at cyclic field operations with speeds up to 30km/hr. The reinforced casing design allows for axle loads of up to 1.3t and increased speed capability of up to 70km/hr in some sizes. VF420/90 R34 is a new size. The company says that the current VF420/85 R34 normally fitted…

Italian manufacturer MaterMacc is well known for its precision planters. The MSD Elektro pneumatic drill is claimed to offer similar precision with cereals in min-tillage situations. Available in working widths of 5.0m and 6.0m, and designed to operate at speeds from 10-13km/hr, like other drills in the MSD range the seed distribution units are powered by an electric motor. Controlled from the company’s X4 monitor, it is possible to change seed rates, activate the electronic calibration, and control the optional tramline function. Coulter pressure is individually adjustable up to 45kg, and the metering system can cope with both small and large seeds. Row distances can be changed from 12.5cm to a maximum of 25cm. Seed hopper capacity is 1300-litres and the MSD Elektro comes with a load.platform with folding ladder,…

Looking for something a little different on the pick-up front? The production version of Isuzu’s new Arctic Truck AT35 put in a first UK appearance at the recent SMMT Day, ahead of its May launch, although UK buyers are unlikely to take delivery before early 2023. As before, it’s the AT’s appearance and performance that set it apart from the standard Isuzu D-Max on which it’s based — notably chunkier 35in tyres, a loftier stance, uprated suspension and a list of styling upgrades. Critically, the vehicle retains its 1.0t plus payload, 3.5t towing capacity and VAT-reclaimable status. Nett prices are £47,999 for the manual-box version, £49,499 for the auto.…