El Niño Warning: NZ Farmers Urged to Plan Fert Early
Plan ahead and be patient. That’s the message to farmers and horticulturalists from the chairman of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association, Kent Weir.
The Amazone ZA-TS featured the new Argus Twin lateral technology where each disc uses radar sensors above each unit to monitor the spread pattern, automatically adjusting the delivery if any deviation is detected from the required setting.
Mounted rigidly and with no moving parts, the system is said to be robust and maintenance-free in what is typically a harsh environment. The system will compensate for changes in spread pattern that might be caused by fertiliser quality, start-off speeds or braking, travelling on slopes, or even when spreader vanes are worn.
The technology will operate during border spreading or section control and aims to ensure the most effective use of the fertilisers and easy operation.
Argus Twin can be optioned on all mechanically or hydraulically driven machines in the ZA-TS range and is said to complement other automated technologies such as auto-calibration and tilt-sensing, and inasmuch gives the operator the ability to set the rate and drive off.
The automated systems then check actual delivery rate against the set target. Tilt sensing detects any deviation from the centre of gravity and electric shutter control ensures an even three dimensional spread regardless of terrain.
