Kuhn bags tech award
French company KUHN has won a EIMA Technical Innovation Award for its Baler Automation Technology.
The new Kuhn Performer 3000 (3m working width) extends the existing Performer 4, 5, 6 and 7m tine/disc, deep cultivator range, allowing cutting, mixing, soil loosening and consolidation in one-pass.
The Performer 3000 is also among the first farm machines to get new European road certification guaranteeing a road speed of up to 40km/h.
The Performer allows the farmer, when time is short, to tackle all types of crop residues, thanks to its ability to use individual or combinations of its discs, tines or roller assembly -- the latter also being removeable for autumn cultivations.
As part of the standard equipment, a new hydraulic non-stop safety tine that can be adjusted up to 900kg helps penetration in tough conditions, with the benefit of overload protection if any immovable obstacles are encountered, avoiding any slippage even in difficult conditions.
At the rear of the machine, a choice of two roller assemblies sees the HD-Liner 700 roller designed for consolidation deeper into the soil profile, or a new U-double roller that has a lighter firming effect, but still maintains a high degree of soil crumbling.
Elsewhere in its range, Kuhn has added to the 3m - 7.5m wide Optimer + range with 510mm diameter discs. It has introduced the Optimer XL 100 and 1000 series with larger, 620mm diameter discs, said to provide a 5 - 15cm deeper working capacity.
It achieves excellent penetration thanks to an independent elastomer safety device and wide flange; soil slippage is avoided, suiting the machine to all soil conditions.
Meanwhile, a single disc on each support arm offers greater underframe clearance that in turn helps to reduce blockages.
Available in 3, 3.5 and 4m mounted and 4 and 5m trailed versions, the new Optimer XL range suits tractors from 100 - 300hp. A wide range of rollers, including the new U double roller, allows adaptation to all types of terrain, with hydraulic adjustment from the cab.
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Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
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