Kverneland to debut Alentix fertiliser spreaders at Agritechnica
With Agritechnica just around the corner, it’s no surprise to see manufacturers drip-feed some information of new products worth a closer look.
Taking up a considerable portion of the Power Farming site at the recent South Island Agricultural Field Days near Christchurch, the Kverneland Qualidisc 21000T trailed compact disc harrow, the first sold in the southern hemisphere, has a working width of 12.25m.
Said to be suitable for cultivation from 3 to 15cm, the unit can also be used for seedbed preparation after ploughing.
The machine layout has four independently mounted frame segments, with pressure on each segment adjusted pair-bypair via the Ground Contour System to ensure a constant pressure across the full working width.
Turning at the headland is achieved by the four swivelling front wheels of 400-60R 15.5, working in collaboration with the rear roller assembly, meaning despite its large working width, the machine turns tightly on 560 or 710 section oversized transport wheels.
Designed for use with prime movers from 350 to 650+hp, working at typical speeds of 10-15km/ h, with higher speeds creating a “boiling effect” of the soil around the discs, the unit weighing around 14.8 tonnes, is capable of high daily outputs.
The 600mm diameter conical discs are 6mm thick and heat treated, with an operating weight of up to 150kg/disc, to help ensure a full cut and thorough incorporation of debris or catch crops.
Designed to maintain a constant working angle, the discs are mounted on angled arms, each fitted with a large maintenancefree double ball bearing and 35mm axle. Special protection to the sides of the arm is achieved by a special 5-lip seal and the bearing protection joint, while the opposite side features a dust preventing O-ring assembly.
Working depth is achieved via two scales, mounted on the forward gauge wheels and the rear roller, adjusted separately to maintain the balance between the two rows of discs.
Depth adjustment is controlled hydraulically from the cab, allowing prompt changes as field conditions vary.
Final consolidation is achieved with either the 560mm diameter Actipack roller said to be suited to medium to heavy soils or the Actipress option, which features a twin roller layout, offering greater carrying capacity in lighter conditions.
Tractor connections require two double and one single acting outlet, the latter to raise and lower the transport wheels, one double acting supply for pressure adjustment and the other to fold the machine to its 2.95m transport width.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
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