Monday, 27 September 2021 15:30

New SAM on the block

Written by  Mark Daniel
The new SAM orchard spreader. The new SAM orchard spreader.

Well known for its spreaders, feed wagons, tip trailers and quick hitches, Hamilton-based Coombridge and Alexander has added a new Orchard Spreader to its SAM machinery range.

Designed for use in all types of crops including viticulture, the machine offers the ability to spread conventional materials like urea, superphosphate, lime and chicken manure to the rear, while also incorporating a front-mounted discharge conveyor for banding products like compost, vermicast or mulch - without any changeover time.

Centred around a singleaxle chassis, a 2 cubic metre stainless steel bin is set low and narrow to offer precise manoeuvrability in the vineyard or orchard. Overall dimensions of 4.75m long, 1.6m wide and 1.42m high, means the machine can move easily under canopies, alongside being easily loaded by smaller, specialised tractors. In the base of the bin, an 800mm wide belt conveyor can move loads rearwards or forwards at the flick of a switch.

Material brought forwards meets a horizontal cross conveyor, that delivers to the right hand side, so clearly visible to the operator. Products like mulch can be dropped in a windrow, or placed in piles, while an instant start/stop function controls both conveyors simultaneously, meaning the cross conveyor is pre-loaded for any restarts.

In the case of the rear discharge mechanism, twin spreading discs sit on spinner tubes driven by individual hydraulic motors, with stainless steel used throughout. An in-cab controller allows the operator to select spreading or banding, in the case of the former, using target application rate, product density and tractor centres to deliver the required application rate automatically.

Key components are protected by front and rear nudge bars, while the durability of the machines is enhanced by attention to detail in the final finishes. Painted areas are subjected to an initial grit blasting process to remove any trace of grease or contaminants, before a pure zinc thermal arc spray coat, a primer coat and a two-pack epoxy paint final finish.

Optional extras include a swivel hitch for difficult terrain, LED lighting for road work, axle risers and tyre options, alongside oil cooling and temperature monitoring. For job specific spreading tasks, there are also a right-side only spinner or centre-discharge blocking options.

For more information visit sammachinery.co.nz.

More like this

Clamp to grip the bale firmly

Anyone who has been round baling and released a completed bale on a slope will remember the feeling of dread as the bale gathers speed and rolls off down the hillside, hopefully to be stopped by the hedgerow or the paddock levelling out.

Nedap NZ launch

Livestock management tech company Nedap has launched Nedap New Zealand.

Ecorobotix announces NZ dealership

Swiss-based Ecorobotix has announced its entry into the New Zealand market through a strategic partnership with Canterbury-based New Zealand Tractors.

New home for JCB Agriculture

Power Farming has announced a new chapter in its partnership with JCB, which having represented the UK-based company’s construction equipment for over three years, now sees the relationship expanding to include the renowned JCB Agriculture product range.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Editorial

2025 - making it positive

2025 - making it positive

OPINION: The New Year is well underway, and in January the first grapes of the new vintage were harvested in…

Vintage requiring cooperation

Vintage requiring cooperation

OPINION: A common refrain last year was 'survive 'til 25', including from those in New Zealand's wine industry facing rising…

Popular Reads

Farming for the future

Ben Leen never tires of the view at Amisfield, where audacious guinea fowl strut the grounds against a backdrop of…