Based outside Golden in Co Tipperary, Neil and Dermot Ryan specialise in contract fertiliser spreading, spraying and reseeding.
The father and son duo spread a mix of grassland, corn and beet crops totalling over 10,000 acres annually of which grassland makes up the majority.
Application rates across all crops can range from 123.5kg/ha (0.5 bags/acre) right up to 1,235kg/ha (10 bags/acre) on beet.
The need to work with such a broad range of application rates accurately and evenly left the Ryans searching for a new high-specification spreader for 2021.
The Tribord 3D border spreading vane has two settings, one of which is more extreme for along watercourses.
Happy with how their previous mounted Sulky X40 Econov dealt with such demands, it was replaced with the newer X40+ Econov full GPS section control model. The X40+ Econov is part of the French manufacturer’s flagship spreader line.
Operating as a one-man band while on spreading duties, the Ryans have the spreader mounted via a Rossmore Engineering hoist for loading bulk bags.
Dermot says: “The hoist is a great job. It means you’re independent every farm you go to. There’s no organising a loader. The farmer can get on with his work and so can we.”
Build and features
The X40 is Sulky’s second-largest mounted spreader range, with a maximum carrying capacity of 3,200l.
This is a full 1,000l behind the wider-chassis X50 spreader although the business end is the exact same. The narrow chassis of the X40+ appealed to the Ryans.
“It sits within the width of the tractor, which is a major benefit, especially when contract spreading where there always tends to be the odd tight spot.
Dermot opted for the narrower extensions so that the spreader remains within the width of the tractor.
“We had one of the older Sulky DPX Magnum spreaders back the years which was a wider, lower spreader. With it you were always watching out in tight areas.
“Making them narrower and higher was the right decision,” Dermot says.
On this basis, the lads went with the narrower extensions, bringing the spreader’s capacity up to the maximum 3,200l.
“This time around, given that our Claas Arion 630 was full Isobus and autosteer ready with the Claas S10 terminal, we decided to go down the route of Isobus control instead of buying the Sulky’s Quartz 800 terminal. So far it’s been a great job and works very well.”
By not opting for the Quartz 800 terminal, a saving in the region of €6,000 plus VAT was made.
Three vane options are available, offering spread widths from 18m to 44m. Spreading at 24m bout widths, the Ryan’ had the flexibility of choosing either 18-28m vanes or the 24-36m vanes.
Inside the stainless steel hopper are the optional level sensors.
This time they opted for the smaller of the two vane options as they suited 24m bout widths better. The previous machine was fitted with the 24-36m vanes which left a larger arc on the headlands, according to Dermot.
Each disc has a long and a short vane with the right hand disc also having an L-shaped Tribord vane for border spreading.
The Econov comes as standard with hard-faced vanes which are double vanes, meaning two flows of granules are handled, one top and one bottom. In terms of vane quality the Ryans were impressed having completed five seasons with the previous machines original vanes – quite a bit more than what is achievable with some of the competitor machines, Dermot believes.
Section control
All Sulky spreaders achieve section control by keeping the speed of the outwards-turning discs constant at 540rpm.
Instead, the fertiliser’s drop point and shutter position is continuously altered. The Ryans’ current X40+ Econov features 12-part section control instead of six on their previous X40 Econov.
The spreader is operated using full IsoBus on the Claas S10 terminal.
Both Neil and Dermot are full of praise for the simplicity and effectiveness of the spreaders section control.
Dermot says: “Although Sulky says there are 12 sections, given that it’s an Isobus machine, the drop point and shutter position constantly changes, narrowing the spreading width the further into the gearog you travel, making it more continuous section control as opposed to 12 defined sections. It works just as well in reverse while spreading out of a gearog until the full 24m is resumed.”
The X40+ Econov achieves section control by altering the fertiliser drop point and shutter position.
Sulky claims this to be as result of its curved spread pattern.
The spreader is equipped with the Tribord 3D border spreading unit on the right-hand side. This is optionally available on both sides for border spreading in either direction.
Border spreading is engaged and disengaged via the control screen by adjusting the shutter’s electric actuator.
During normal boundary spreading it is accepted that up to 20% of granules go beyond the border.
However, the X40+ Econov has an eco-intensive border mode for spreading along areas such as watercourses.
The existing Rossmore hoist was modified to suit the higher X40 and is used to load all bulk bags during the season.
To achieve this, both PTO speed and application rate is reduced by 15%, with 100% of fertiliser flowing by the Tribord border vane so that no fertiliser enters the watercourse. Dermot particularly likes this feature.
Calibration and weighing
“Complete accuracy is critically important especially on hire and given current fertiliser prices so at the start of every season we do a tray test for each fertiliser type.
“The fact a farmer’s future grass yield is at your mercy to an extent too is also important.”
“The Sulky Fertitest app is one area we feel could be improved with the addition of more Irish fertilisers.
“When the fertiliser type is on the app setup is easy as parameter such as granule size and flowrate (T-Factor) are all there.
“Otherwise this has to be manually calculated and matched to the closest blend in the Sulky database. Once the vane type, spread width and T-factor are inputted, the spreader adjusts itself.
The Ryans spread a mix of grassland, beet and corn so application rates can vary massively from 0.5 bags/acre to 10 bags/acre.
“During operation, the spreader recalibrates and adjusts its shutter position every 30 seconds or 100kg to improve accuracy. If forward speed changes, flowrate changes accordingly to maintain the set rate.”
The X40+ Econov benefits from a 10t weigh cell built into its chassis to provide live hopper weights.
Dermot says that once the spreader is set for a certain application it proves very accurate, with the weigh cell always confirming this.
For example, he said even if dust builds up around the shutter and effects flowrate, the shutter will counteract this by opening slightly more to remain on target.
The Ryans opted for the low level sensors which Dermot praises as a worthwhile option: “With the two extensions, it’s impossible to see into the hopper.
“When spreading big rates on the likes of beet or on side slopes, fertiliser can lie in one side of the hopper. With the sensors you know right away how much is left in either side once a sensor reads a low level.
“The X40+ Econov is our fourth Sulky spreader in 15 years. We’ve always found them reliable and accurate.
“Like any machine there were a few small issues along the way but in fairness almost all have been addressed at this stage.
“The main issue was the paint quality on the previous two machines – it just didn’t last. This spreader is complete different story.
“For a start the lower half of the hopper is constructed from stainless steel and the difference in paint quality is night and day.
“Sulky knew this was an issue themselves and to be fair they addressed it. They now offer a three-year parts and seven-year paint warranty.
“Other small things like the cover and how it folds back have been improved on this model so that it folds much better.
“As a spreader we can’t fault it for getting the job done accurately and reliably, two things we see as extremely important as contractors.”
Model: X40+ Econov.
Spread width: 18m to 44m.
Hopper capacity: 3,200l (1,900l and 2,500l options).
Empty weight: 585kg.
Drive type: PTO
Max flow rate: 520kg/min.
Section control method: drop point and shutter adjustment.
Starting list price: €23,700 Plus VAT.
? Likes
IsoBus controlDependable accuracy. ? Dislikes
Database could do with including more Irish fertilisers.
Based outside Golden in Co Tipperary, Neil and Dermot Ryan specialise in contract fertiliser spreading, spraying and reseeding.
The father and son duo spread a mix of grassland, corn and beet crops totalling over 10,000 acres annually of which grassland makes up the majority.
Application rates across all crops can range from 123.5kg/ha (0.5 bags/acre) right up to 1,235kg/ha (10 bags/acre) on beet.
The need to work with such a broad range of application rates accurately and evenly left the Ryans searching for a new high-specification spreader for 2021.
The Tribord 3D border spreading vane has two settings, one of which is more extreme for along watercourses.
Happy with how their previous mounted Sulky X40 Econov dealt with such demands, it was replaced with the newer X40+ Econov full GPS section control model. The X40+ Econov is part of the French manufacturer’s flagship spreader line.
Operating as a one-man band while on spreading duties, the Ryans have the spreader mounted via a Rossmore Engineering hoist for loading bulk bags.
Dermot says: “The hoist is a great job. It means you’re independent every farm you go to. There’s no organising a loader. The farmer can get on with his work and so can we.”
Build and features
The X40 is Sulky’s second-largest mounted spreader range, with a maximum carrying capacity of 3,200l.
This is a full 1,000l behind the wider-chassis X50 spreader although the business end is the exact same. The narrow chassis of the X40+ appealed to the Ryans.
“It sits within the width of the tractor, which is a major benefit, especially when contract spreading where there always tends to be the odd tight spot.
Dermot opted for the narrower extensions so that the spreader remains within the width of the tractor.
“We had one of the older Sulky DPX Magnum spreaders back the years which was a wider, lower spreader. With it you were always watching out in tight areas.
“Making them narrower and higher was the right decision,” Dermot says.
On this basis, the lads went with the narrower extensions, bringing the spreader’s capacity up to the maximum 3,200l.
“This time around, given that our Claas Arion 630 was full Isobus and autosteer ready with the Claas S10 terminal, we decided to go down the route of Isobus control instead of buying the Sulky’s Quartz 800 terminal. So far it’s been a great job and works very well.”
By not opting for the Quartz 800 terminal, a saving in the region of €6,000 plus VAT was made.
Three vane options are available, offering spread widths from 18m to 44m. Spreading at 24m bout widths, the Ryan’ had the flexibility of choosing either 18-28m vanes or the 24-36m vanes.
Inside the stainless steel hopper are the optional level sensors.
This time they opted for the smaller of the two vane options as they suited 24m bout widths better. The previous machine was fitted with the 24-36m vanes which left a larger arc on the headlands, according to Dermot.
Each disc has a long and a short vane with the right hand disc also having an L-shaped Tribord vane for border spreading.
The Econov comes as standard with hard-faced vanes which are double vanes, meaning two flows of granules are handled, one top and one bottom. In terms of vane quality the Ryans were impressed having completed five seasons with the previous machines original vanes – quite a bit more than what is achievable with some of the competitor machines, Dermot believes.
Section control
All Sulky spreaders achieve section control by keeping the speed of the outwards-turning discs constant at 540rpm.
Instead, the fertiliser’s drop point and shutter position is continuously altered. The Ryans’ current X40+ Econov features 12-part section control instead of six on their previous X40 Econov.
The spreader is operated using full IsoBus on the Claas S10 terminal.
Both Neil and Dermot are full of praise for the simplicity and effectiveness of the spreaders section control.
Dermot says: “Although Sulky says there are 12 sections, given that it’s an Isobus machine, the drop point and shutter position constantly changes, narrowing the spreading width the further into the gearog you travel, making it more continuous section control as opposed to 12 defined sections. It works just as well in reverse while spreading out of a gearog until the full 24m is resumed.”
The X40+ Econov achieves section control by altering the fertiliser drop point and shutter position.
Sulky claims this to be as result of its curved spread pattern.
The spreader is equipped with the Tribord 3D border spreading unit on the right-hand side. This is optionally available on both sides for border spreading in either direction.
Border spreading is engaged and disengaged via the control screen by adjusting the shutter’s electric actuator.
During normal boundary spreading it is accepted that up to 20% of granules go beyond the border.
However, the X40+ Econov has an eco-intensive border mode for spreading along areas such as watercourses.
The existing Rossmore hoist was modified to suit the higher X40 and is used to load all bulk bags during the season.
To achieve this, both PTO speed and application rate is reduced by 15%, with 100% of fertiliser flowing by the Tribord border vane so that no fertiliser enters the watercourse. Dermot particularly likes this feature.
Calibration and weighing
“Complete accuracy is critically important especially on hire and given current fertiliser prices so at the start of every season we do a tray test for each fertiliser type.
“The fact a farmer’s future grass yield is at your mercy to an extent too is also important.”
“The Sulky Fertitest app is one area we feel could be improved with the addition of more Irish fertilisers.
“When the fertiliser type is on the app setup is easy as parameter such as granule size and flowrate (T-Factor) are all there.
“Otherwise this has to be manually calculated and matched to the closest blend in the Sulky database. Once the vane type, spread width and T-factor are inputted, the spreader adjusts itself.
The Ryans spread a mix of grassland, beet and corn so application rates can vary massively from 0.5 bags/acre to 10 bags/acre.
“During operation, the spreader recalibrates and adjusts its shutter position every 30 seconds or 100kg to improve accuracy. If forward speed changes, flowrate changes accordingly to maintain the set rate.”
The X40+ Econov benefits from a 10t weigh cell built into its chassis to provide live hopper weights.
Dermot says that once the spreader is set for a certain application it proves very accurate, with the weigh cell always confirming this.
For example, he said even if dust builds up around the shutter and effects flowrate, the shutter will counteract this by opening slightly more to remain on target.
The Ryans opted for the low level sensors which Dermot praises as a worthwhile option: “With the two extensions, it’s impossible to see into the hopper.
“When spreading big rates on the likes of beet or on side slopes, fertiliser can lie in one side of the hopper. With the sensors you know right away how much is left in either side once a sensor reads a low level.
“The X40+ Econov is our fourth Sulky spreader in 15 years. We’ve always found them reliable and accurate.
“Like any machine there were a few small issues along the way but in fairness almost all have been addressed at this stage.
“The main issue was the paint quality on the previous two machines – it just didn’t last. This spreader is complete different story.
“For a start the lower half of the hopper is constructed from stainless steel and the difference in paint quality is night and day.
“Sulky knew this was an issue themselves and to be fair they addressed it. They now offer a three-year parts and seven-year paint warranty.
“Other small things like the cover and how it folds back have been improved on this model so that it folds much better.
“As a spreader we can’t fault it for getting the job done accurately and reliably, two things we see as extremely important as contractors.”
Model: X40+ Econov.
Spread width: 18m to 44m.
Hopper capacity: 3,200l (1,900l and 2,500l options).
Empty weight: 585kg.
Drive type: PTO
Max flow rate: 520kg/min.
Section control method: drop point and shutter adjustment.
Starting list price: €23,700 Plus VAT.
? Likes
IsoBus controlDependable accuracy. ? Dislikes
Database could do with including more Irish fertilisers. 
This is a subscriber-only article
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