New releases for 2017 slurry season

Major

Major Equipment has plans to further develop and grow the slurry handling side of its business in 2017. It has recently extended the options available on its custom-designed tankers to include digital control units which automate many of the tanker and slurry applicator functions while in use. These units allow a sequence to be pre-programmed, which is particularly useful in headland management, saving the operator time. “We have improved and upgraded the hydraulics options available to our customers with newer type solenoid valves which are compatible with power beyond systems,” said Martin Walsh, sales manager.

Following customer requests, Major is now also able to supply larger model dribble bars up to a maximum working width of 36m ideally suited to customers in the tillage sector looking to use slurry in place of chemical fertilisers to help reduce their input costs.

On the slurry mixing side of the business, Major has launched its new range of slurry agitator pumps for contractors and larger farmers. “We expanded our existing agitator pump range with the addition of the Super and Mega models,” explains Martin. “These new agitators complement our existing agitator range with impressive output capabilities.”

The Super (100-130hp) range output is 18,100 litres/min, while the larger Mega model (130hp+) is capable of 22,700l/min.

These new pumps feature a quick-attach lower linkage, 310° of horizontal adjustment with spring-loaded lock, marine bearing with easy access for maintenance, Rögelberg gearboxes with a 1.75in input shaft and a fully galvanised body and frame.

Mastek

Mastek has just released a new fully automatic circulating system which allows the slurry to circulate back into the tank or lagoon when the gate valve is closed.

Paul Quinn of Mastek said: “In the past our customers could not shut off the gate valve on the spreading machines without letting the person operating the pump in the yard know so that they could either slow down the RPM or shut the PTO off completely.”

This was a problem when using a trailing shoe that needs to be lifted when turning on the headlands.

The new circulating system allows the operator spreading in the field to shut the gate valve on the trailing shoe. The pressure then builds up in the system and engages a pneumatically primed accumulator which in turn allows a piston to open, letting the slurry circulate back into the lagoon or storage tank.

This new attachment will cost €3,200 plus VAT and can be retrofitted on to most existing Mastek/Bauer pumps.

Hi Spec

Hi Spec has updated its larger 3,000 to 4,000 gallon TD-R series to now include large recessed 750/60 R30.5 tyres as standard with commercial sprung axles and rear steering to aid manoeuvrability. The tandem sprung axle is fitted with 420x180 hydraulic brakes as standard, with air available as an option. A high-output Jurop 11,000l pump, internal baffling, and implosion rings are also standard spec. To aid driver comfort, a sprung drawbar and swivel hitch are standard. The TD-R series can be fitted with a dribble bar solution from AgQuip in 6m or 7m working widths mounted on an A-frame. The dribble bar is fitted with road lights as standard and can be removed easily from the tanker coming complete with its own storage legs. Alternatively, the TD-R tankers can be fitted with a trailing shoe option from AgQuip in either 6m or 7.5m working widths which can be carried on an independent lifting mast or linkage on the rear of the tanker. Both options are fitted with a splash plate as standard to provide maximum flexibility to the operator. When specified with an applicator from the factory, the TD-R series tanker axles are now moved rearwards to accommodate the additional weight of the applicator.

Abbey

Abbey Machinery recently launched a larger 2750R tanker to cater for farmers looking to reduce their slurry application time. The new 2,750 gallon tanker fits neatly in between the 2,500 and 3,000 sizes already available, providing more users with a much-needed alternative. The 2,750 tanker features a longer cylinder, with patented dished end construction. The centre of gravity is kept low by incorporating the axle into the chassis. For operator comfort and reduced wear and tear, a parabolic weight-sensing sprung draw bar is standard spec. The 2,750 gallon tanker can also be specified with various applicators from the factory or with applicator brackets for fitting of a system at a later date.

Slurry Kat

Northern Irish manufacturer Slurry Kat has released a new range of budget farm-line dribble bars. This range adds to the company’s existing two-line market approach, consisting of premium pro-line products, designed for contractors and larger intensive farmers, as well as more basic farm-line equipment. This approach has been very well received in the market over the past few years according to Slurry Kat CEO Garth Cairns: “We now have a product for everyone with premium and basic spec products from a shear grab to a slurry tanker.”

The new dribble bar systems are available in 7.5m and 9m working widths and feature spring-loaded booms that automatically reset in the event of coming in contact with an obstacle. A Vogelsang macerator/distributor which is the same unit used in the premium dribble bars is fitted to ensure perfect spreading distribution across the working width. These new dribble bars can be fitted to any tanker without the need for a rear hydraulic linkage and are said to be 50% lighter to eliminate any balance issues when fitted to existing tankers. Prices start at €7,900 for the 7.5m model.

SlurryKat has also developed two new agitators for 2017, the ProFlow 6500 which has a power requirement of 100-130hp and the larger ProFlow 7500 which has a power requirement of 150hp+. Both feature a two-point underslung linkage that removes the need for a toplink and allows the PTO shaft to stay in place when moving between tanks. The 6500 features a 540rpm gearbox connected to a 50mm drive shaft down to a 6in bottom while the larger 7500 is fitted with a 1000rpm gearbox connected via a 50mm shaft to a 7 inch bottom. Both models are fully galvanised and made from high tensile wear resistant Swedish steel.

Joskin

Due to the success of the Volumetra tanker, Joskin has decided to extend the range. Initially designed to integrate a volumetric pump (spiral, lobe or centrifugal pump), it is now available in vacuum (vacuum pump) and vacuum storm (combination of a vacuum pump for suction and a centrifugal pump for discharge) versions. The Volumetra tanker range is available in both recessed and standard versions as well as in tandem axle models from 10,500l to 20,000l and in tri-axle models from 18,500l to 22,900l. The Volumetra tankers feature a self-supporting structure made of high-tensile steel which allows the overall weight to be kept to a minimum. The hydro-tandem/tridem running gear is bolted in place, allowing it to be easily moved according to the weight of the rear implement, ensuring optimal weight distribution.

The Volumetra tanker range features an integrated linkage for fitting a broad range of applicators and spreading implements and is designed with a low centre of gravity for improved comfort and security. As options, the tankers can be specified with hydro pneumatic hitching suspension as well as a range of pumps to suit all applications such as vacuum, volumetric or combined pumps.

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Special focus: slurry 2017