Farmhand spreads the news about new products

Farmhand has been importing Amazone equipment for over 50 years. The German brand has a loyal following in Ireland and Farmhand is continually updating the range for the Irish market.

Spreaders

The ZA-V range of spreaders introduced by Farmhand is available in a number of hopper capacities and configurations. Capacity is from 1,700l to 4,200l with spread width up to 36m depending on fertiliser density. Farmhand said it can have any product tested in Amazone’s own test hall in Germany if a customer wants this done. The standard ZA-V spreader is PTO-driven and comes with an adjustable limiter for trimming how far fertiliser travels to avoid it going into the ditch or into short ground. This could be described as a standard machine for the customer who wants control over all functionality of the machine.

The ZA-V Profis Tronic spreader comes with weigh-cells and is also PTO-driven. The machine recalibrates itself every 25kg on the move which maintains spread rate accuracy. There is even a tilt sensor fitted which feeds into the spread rate calibration if the machine is operating on hilly ground. Section control is also possible with this machine.

Lastly, the higher specification machine on show was the ZA-V Profis Hydro which is a hydraulically-driven weigh-cell spreader. Spread rate is adjusted depending on forward speed. For boundary spreading, one disc can be slowed so fertiliser doesn’t travel as far and section control is again possible on this model.

Sprayers

Farmhand also demonstrated how section control works on a trailed UX 4200 special Amazone sprayer using a virtual field. As we watched the tractor and sprayer combination crossing the computer screen diagonally into ground that was already sprayed, the individual nozzles on the tractor and sprayer parked outside the door turned off in a row. Likewise when the sprayer exited the sprayed ground they resumed work. According to Stephen Scrivener, marketing manager with Farmhand: “This is basically what happens in the field and will save a lot of money on inputs, especially in Ireland where fields are anything but uniform in size.” Both single and twin pumps are available.

Catros 3003

In response to market demand, Amazone is now producing a cheaper disc cultivator called the Amazone 3003 special. It has all the same functionality as the well-recognised Catros 3001 but comes with a lighter frame. Various packer rollers are available, and both serrated and smooth discs depending on customer choice. The price difference between the two machines is approximately €2,500 depending on specification.

Cayros XMS V Plough

Farmhand sees great opportunity for its ploughs in Ireland despite it being a competitive market. The four-furrow reversible Cayros plough comes with hydraulic reset as opposed to springs more commonly seen on other makes.

It claims the advantage of this is a smoother return to work for the obstructed furrow and the option to prime the front body with a higher pressure compared to the other bodies when working in tough conditions. There is also a shearbolt on the main leg of the plough-body in the instance of meeting something like a tree root where the body may not rise out of the ground.