Tractor, harvester IT comes of age
Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that bringing IT to tractors and farming will offer its customers huge benefits.
Awarded to Northern Ireland company SpreadPoint for their trailed SP 900 model, fitted with the optional SX-A auger delivery system, the competition judges commended the machine for the part it can play in soil health, as well as its potential for helping develop sustainable agricultural systems in Ireland and beyond.
SpreadPoint was formed in 2019 by Richard and Noel Kane; the latter the funding partner of the well- known Kane trailer business. The company specialises in spreading equipment for the agricultural, construction and amenity sectors. The business has a modern manufacturing facility on a 400ha working farm in County Down, where the steep and rugged country offers ideally locales for product development and testing.
The SP 900 spreader offers a 9 cu.m capacity, equating to around 12.5 tonnes of lime, but depending on product has a load rating of 16 tonnes. Tipping the scales at 3.9 tonnes empty, the running gear sees a 150mm square section axle, with commercial hubs, running on 750-60R 30.5 tyre equipment. This is complemented by a sprung drawbar with up to 100mm of movement, air/hydraulic braking, mudguards and LED lighting.
A dual-chassis layout allowing de-mounting onto other carriers features a 4-point loadcell weighing system and ISOBUS connections as standard. Load sensing hydraulics means there’s no need for a PTO shaft, with the moving floor belt and the spreading discs infinitely variable to adjust and maintain the spreading rate required.
Throughout the machine large diameter stainless steel or nylon roller assemblies are used for durability, with key components hard faced with stainless steel plates for an extended service life.
Said to offer a low centre of gravity, a lifting axle set up helps transfer weight for added traction in difficult conditions, while general servicing is taken care of with only nine grease nipples. Spreader control is taken care of by the Intelligent Control System, offering on-the-go adjustment to achieve the desired spread rate irrespective of forward speed.
Part of the MOTY package was the optional SX-A auger spreading system, that uses a closed delivery system to allow spreading of dusty materials without the problems of drift losses, especially in windy conditions, but also a feature that lends itself to operating in wet conditions. Made primarily from stainless steel, the 12m folding design has hydraulic tilt to ensure good ground contouring, but also to avoid obstacles.
Options include rolling hopper covers, integral mesh hopper grids, a cleated main delivery belt for difficult inputs and a K80 ball/spoon hitch coupler.
