Specialist fertiliser spreading contractor Dave Warren is located in Whakatane, near the site of the recent volcanic eruption on the North Island of New Zealand.
After buying the fertiliser spreading business three years ago, Dave was looking to offer something a little bit different from his competitors.
Dave explained: “Over here in New Zealand around 20 years ago, contractors used to convert Fastracs into self-propelled spreaders. Then they stopped as JCB didn’t continue to push technology, while four-wheel-drive trucks became more and more popular and were more cost-effective.”
However, after recently taking ownership of the spreading business, Dave found his trucks lying idle when the land began to get wet. This is because the trucks don’t travel well on soft ground.
As a result, Dave noted that farmers tend to spread it themselves using tractors or hire in helicopters. But he added that to get in a guy to spread a small rate per hectare with a helicopter isn’t cost-effective.
An alternative solution
After searching the internet for an alternative, Dave came across an Australian firm known as Southern Spreaders. The firm manufactures a range spreaders for all sorts of applications, including the stretched axle conversion for 3230 and 4220 Fastracs.
After looking into the new 4000 series Fastracs, Dave was impressed with the reports. After further examination, he noted that he really liked the CVT transmission, the Sisu engine, the four-wheel steering and the self-levelling hydraulic cab suspension.
His local JCB dealer, the Claas Harvest Centre, had a new 4220 in stock. After speaking to them about his plans to equip a Fastrac with a spreader, the firm was keen to get involved. Although Dave wanted to purchase a new machine from JCB in the UK that was configured to his requirements, his local dealer was keen to sell him the fully loaded unit they had in stock.
The conversion
Dave pushed ahead and ordered the complete kit from Australia at a cost in the region of $100,000 (€59,105). He noted: “The guys at Southern Spreaders sent us a complete spreader kit. A local engineering firm took the rear wheels off, cut around 300mm off the back of the chassis, and fit the new stretched chassis. The modified machine had around a 2.5m longer chassis.”
The machine is equipped with a 7,000l hopper which has a chain-driven slatted conveyer. Dave noted that while spreading 1t/ha, in good going the machine will cover 15-20ha/hr. He said that the biggest limitation on productivity is keeping the hopper filled. With the significant increase in hydraulic capacity, he noted that the Fastrac can spread product twice as quick as one of his 4WD trucks.
The $400,000 (€236,424) project was finally ready to spread in November 2018. As Dave began to work the machine, he noted that the software was causing a lot of grief. His local dealer had to get on to JCB technicians in the UK to rewrite the software and the machine never looked back since. With over 1,500 hours clocked up in the past 15 months, its only faults have been a number of sensors and an alternator failure. However, Dave is now more than happy with his investment.
Fastrac v 4WD trucks
Nowadays, Dave runs two four-wheel drive trucks (a Mann and a Mercedes) with mounted spreaders, alongside the Fastrac. He explained: “We work on mostly peaty soils, a lot of which is reclaimed forestry ground. In dry weather and for spreading long distances from our base, the trucks are great. However, when it gets cold over here and grass growth slows, farmers start to apply nitrogen.
“Typically when it’s cold, it’s wet. Because the Fastrac can offer a reduced ground pressure, it has enabled us to extend our spreading season. When the ground gets soft, you won’t beat the Fastrac. In rough ground, the Fastrac is also much more comfortable. Don’t get me wrong, the Fastrac unit is costing much more than a truck, but it has increased our offering and given us an edge over our competitors. Although this unit is the first of its kind in New Zealand, I had heard good reports about them in Australia where I believe there are four or five units in action.”
The spreader on the Fastrac is driven hydraulically from the tractor’s PTO.
Dave noted: “Using the tractor’s PTO to drive the spreader’s hydraulics only consumes around 4hp. This provides the spreader with a huge hydraulic output which allows us to have a large throughput of material. Compare this to the trucks, the hydraulics for the spreader have a much more limited output.”
Technology
The Fastrac unit is equipped with the same computer system as what Dave uses in his trucks. After measuring the density of the product, an application rate is set on the computer.
The computer monitors the machine’s forward speed and alters the floor speed accordingly to achieve the set rate.
He runs a basic GPS system alongside, which paints a map based on the set spreading width. The Fastrac is set to spread twice as wide as the trucks, spreading at a width of up to 35m. However, Dave noted that spread width varies depending on the terrain and the weather conditions. Meanwhile, lime is typically spread at 18m to 20m.
The business
Dave explained that he covers 60,000ha (148,260ac) each year. His business has a client list of 200 farmers, with the vast majority of these being dairy farmers. Dave covers an 80km radius from his base, typically going no further than 50km with the Fastrac. He isn’t limited to spreading just lime and fertiliser. He also uses these machines to spread chicken manure, burnt lime from a paper mill, organic waste and fishmeal. Although keeping tight-lipped on fertiliser application rates, Dave noted that he charges $20/t to $40/t (€16.55/t to €23.64/t) when spreading lime. He added that the lime is hauled from approximately 100km away. He said that lime supplied and spread would cost in the region of $95/t (€56/t).
Dave originally purchased the existing fleet of trucks and machines in addition to the list of clients.
“Three years ago, I heard through the grapevine that this business was going to be sold. I approached the owner and we did a deal.”
His busy season is September to December. Lime typically takes off then for January and February. The rain starts in mid-March to the end of June and Dave is kept going spreading nitrogen on grassland.