A new knife-bank, rotor driveline and additional pick-up options all form part of this update which is set to significantly extend the machines’ capabilities.
The 24–35m3 range is primarily aimed at smaller livestock units that want to retain silage making in house to ensure optimum timing and maximise forage quality. To improve on what has gone before the Zelon now gets the Exact-Cut chopper unit employed in larger Strautmann forage-wagons. A 37-knife unit, it brings theoretical chop lengths down to 39mm.
While shorter fibre length will help in clamp consolidation, ensure consistent fermentation and ultimately improve silage quality, it also makes for less sorting and wastage at the feed fence.
The new chopper unit includes auto-reset stone protection and reversible blades to minimise downtime. In order to cope with heavier crops the rotor is now wider than before and employs a duplex chain drive with auto tensioner and auto oiler to reduce the maintenance burden.
As before, the Zelon has Strautmann’s patented Continuous Flow System rotor that spreads material right out to the sides of the knife bank to produce a more even mat of grass through the chopper unit.
With fins at its outer ends that fold the shoulders of the mat of crop inwards, the stream of material is effectively ‘square-edged’ and the same depth across the entire width rather than having tapered shoulders. This is the critical factor in ensuring an even crop flow, helped by the helical arrangement of the pick-up tines and the new height-adjustable crop press roller.
Now 10cm wider than before, the 1.8m wide cam-less pick-up has steel tines and plastic stripper bands in standard format. As an option buyers can choose plastic Flex-Load tines which are more durable and have significantly longer working lives than their steel equivalents. There’s also the option of a 500mm wide depth roller at the rear of the pick-up to ensure faithful contouring in undulating terrain and help avoid soil contamination in the clamp.
Up in the body the wooden floor has been replaced by powder-coated corrosion-resistant steel. Four 13t breaking-strength chains carrying pairs of slats run in profiled channels to propel crop to the rear door.
The Zelon has a choice of running gear – a standard 13t-rated tandem axle arrangement that can accommodate tyre sizes up to 650/40 R 22.5, or a 16t version with passive steering that will take 710/40 R 22.5 wheels.
Being Isobus-compatible, these latest Strautmann wagons can either be operated via the tractor’s in-cab computer or by a standard toggle-switch control box where Isobus is not available.
View FarmAds forage and silage machinery for sale here
The video is presented by independent spray application specialist Tom Robinson who returns to the Stowell Park Estate in Gloucestershire to visit farm foreman Andrew Myatt to see how his robust winter servicing programme optimised sprayer performance in 2023. Andrew, a former Sprayer Operator of the Year, says his time spent in the workshop last winter was well worth it as it meant a busy spring of spraying was uninterrupted by repairs or servicing.
Alongside scheduled maintenance, Andrew followed Corteva’s best practice application advice relating to sprayer hygiene and spray concentration rates when applying Univoq.
Tom said: “In 2022 Andrew had minor issues with his sprayer’s check valves when applying Inatreq active, but servicing and following Corteva’s best practice application advice led to him eradicating the problem last spring.
A new addition for the video this year is the servicing of a Ramsay pressure set – more commonly known as a Ramsay box. Andrew also shares how to service his machine’s pump by replacing its diaphragms as well as explaining how chemical residues can cause them to wear, distort and split if not replaced annually.
The full video is available here
For 2024 applications of any product containing Inatreq active, Corteva has issued the following best practice guidance:
- The maximum concentration should not exceed 2-litres of product in 285-litres of water per hectare – a 0.7% concentration
- Inatreq spray solutions should not be left in the spray tank overnight – follow the recommendations on the label – and operators should rinse the sprayer tank, pump and lines through at the end of each day’s spraying
- Inatreq should not be used in sprayers equipped with pulse width modulation technology
- Corteva recommends replacing pump diaphragms annually, ideally with NBR or Blue flex parts. Abide by the pump manufacturer’s service recommendations
- For anti-drip diaphragms, EPDM parts are recommended, or operators can modify air shut-off anti-drip valves to use Teflon replacements. If neither of these options are possible, Corteva recommends replacing all existing pneumatic/automated anti-drip diaphragms/pistons with new before spraying products containing Inatreq. It’s important to check these after use too
If your sprayer has a Ramsay box, you should replace the diaphragm seal during winter maintenance.
View FarmAds crop sprayer machinery for sale here
As part of J Riley’s 30th anniversary celebrations in 2024, an older Vervaet harvester will be running alongside its younger cousins.
The comprehensive Vervaet range offers a solution for all soil types and demands, the company says. Combined with the option of Riley refurbished machines, there is something to suit every scenario from a farm lifting its own fodder beet through to the largest sugar beet contractor.
A new lifter frame and lifting shares for turbine-type machines will be shown in public for the first time. The new more open frame design affords the operator exceptional visibility across the shares.
The new share leg design is simpler, with integral drive motor and gearbox assemblies between each pair of independently mounted share legs. This share arrangement was successfully trialled on multiple machines during the past five seasons and is already used on Vervaet harvesters with the rollerbed primary cleaning system introduced in 2021.
Demand for self-propelled beet chasers has been steadily increasing during recent beet campaigns. The Riley Beet Chaser 25, based on a refurbished Vervaet Beet Eater 625 or 925 harvester, has proven to be a very capable machine with numerous units now running in the UK. The most recent example will be in action at the demonstration.
Jeremy Riley founded J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd in 1994 to become the UK importer for Vervaet. The right machines, combined with Rileys’ first-class backup, made Vervaet the UK market leader, a position which has been retained for well over two decades.
In recent years Jeremy retired and sold the business, which is now co-owned by Vervaet and managing director Matt Carse. The extraordinarily successful Vervaet 17t harvester was pivotal to this success, and an example will be working at the event to mark the occasion and demonstrate how harvesters have changed over the past 20 years.
The Riley demonstration is an unmissable event for those with an involvement in sugar beet harvesting and the wider industry, as well as an enjoyable day out. Refreshments will include the highly-regarded hog roast prepared by North-Norfolk butchers H.V. Graves.
The event will be held on 31st January in the vicinity of the company’s premises near Attlebridge, Norfolk. For more details visit the J Riley website here.
“Following the retirement earlier this year of the long-standing Merlo dealer for Yorkshire we took steps to ensure support was in place for existing and new Merlo customers in Yorkshire,” comments Owen Buttle, national sales manager of Merlo UK Ltd.
“One of those steps was to increase the territory covered by Agriscope for Merlo. This increase in responsibility sees the dealer now covering a territory that extends north to York, with the A1 to the west, and Market Weighton in the East. As an existing Merlo Gold Standard dealer and the 2023 Merlo Dealer of the Year, Agriscope is well placed to support those customers with their Merlo requirements, whether that be sales, service or parts”.
Happy to help with all customer requirements, Agriscope service director Marc Shaw states: “We have built an experienced team of staff over the years and with well-equipped service vans and extensive parts stocks at both Doncaster and Louth premises we are well placed to back up new and existing Merlo customers with a timely, efficient service.”
The full Merlo Agricultural telescopic handler range, Cingo tracked carriers, TreEmme attachments and forestry tractors are available from Agriscope.
You can find out more about Agriscope online here or by calling Agriscope directly at its Doncaster or Louth depots.
View Farmads materials handlers machinery for sale here
The Ceres Bag Buddy is a range of Big Bag Lifters from one 600kg up to six 1,000kg bags, with the most popular being the Model 4 – Fixed Arm, designed to carry four 600kg or two 1,000kg bags.
The Model 4 is also available as a Hydraulic Adjustable version (Model 4H), allowing the carrying arms to be quickly and easily positioned from the safety of the cab, to accommodate varying sizes and placement of bags.
The Bag Buddy is a convenient and easy way to controllably manage fertiliser, seed and feed bags, far more safely than the questionable use of pallet tines, decreasing the risk of damage, not only to hoppers and coulters, but also to lorries, buildings and overhead cables, the manufacturer reckons. It is designed with minimal sharp edges to prevent damage to the bags and reduce the risk of hazardous and costly mishaps.
The lightweight, but substantially braced, frame helps support bags from behind, greatly reducing swing, Ceres explains. Increased telehandler stability is also achieved by keeping the headstock and boom approximately 4ft lower than if using pallet tines, thus lowering the centre of gravity, whilst still achieving the same lift, with the added benefit of increased reach over hoppers and around drill coulters.
The Bag Buddy comes with retaining loops at both ends of each arm, so bags can be quickly secured for transport and in adverse weather conditions. The entire frame is painted in the bright Ceres orange for increased visibility for vehicles around you and ease of use in dark buildings. The Bag Buddy comes delivered ready to go straight to work, with the correct brackets to fit onto your machine.
View Farmads grain handling and storage machinery for sale here
Manufactured in Lincolnshire alongside Horizon’s larger, trailed models, the mounted toolbar drill is branded the M:DSX and will be offered in 4.0, 4.8, 5.0, and 6.0m working widths, and with 25cm row spacing for the 2024 spring drilling season. A 22cm row spacing option will be offered for autumn this year, and it is likely that a 3.0m drill will also join the line-up later.
Horizon territory manager for North and North and East England, Sam Illingworth, explained that the M:DSX row units offer all the features and benefits of those on current trailed DSX models, with the coulters attached to the main frame through a parallelogram mounting system allowing 320mm of true vertical travel. This means that the 485mm, 10-degree undercut opener disc, depth wheel, seed boot and closing wheel all maintain their pre-set critical working angles throughout the full range of travel, unlike pivot-mounted systems which travel in an arc. The DSX design gives class leading depth control, contour following, and consistent seed channel closing by the pneumatically controlled closing wheels.
Low power and weight requirement
The row units are on a close coupled frame which enables smaller tractors from approximately 150hp to be paired with the widest 6m offering. Using a front hopper to supply the seed and fertiliser provides a very balanced, low weight machine which will appeal to those wanting all the benefits of the Horizon direct disc drill but who would have previously discounted them based on the perceived horsepower requirement.
Versatile hopper with flexible metering
The M:DSX offers the same advantages as its bigger brother in terms of the range of products it can handle as well as flexibility of rates and sowing depths which makes it ideal for companion cropping or placement of granular fertiliser with the seed.
The new drill is designed for use with Horizon’s own FT2200 front hopper, or an existing hopper when available. The FT2200 has 2,200-litres’ capacity, split 60:40 between two pressurised sections each with their own metering units controlled through RDS Isocan electronics.
The FT2200 is not restricted to use with the M:DSX. It can also be used for other applications including the Horizon PPX precision planter which offers granular fertiliser placement through the newly developed opener disc system.
Inter-row compatibility
Being a mounted, single row machine also makes the M:DSX suitable for subsequent inter-row operations such as weeding or mowing. Not only does the drill offer class leading seed depth control, but because it is a linkage-mounted machine, sideways movement is minimal making following operations in-row far more accurate.
All the features, lower cost
Sam said that he believes that the new mounted M:DSX will make the key features and benefits of the Horizon DSX row unit available to a new customer base, including those who are keen to move towards no-till disc drilling, but who would previously only have been able to justify the cost of a second-hand trailed machine that might have seen better days.
The M:DSX is available to order immediately through the Horizon dealer network for delivery early 2024, and is backed by the company’s standard 2-year warranty.
South-East England dealer view
“Since we took on the range last year, we have quickly established a strong relationship with Horizon, and the company’s UK built and designed products are excellent quality and perform very well,” said Ernest Doe Power general sales manager, Ed Perry. “The company is young and dynamic with a very strong emphasis on cutting edge design, and we believe that the existing DSX drill is currently the best on the market.
“The trailed DSX is competitively priced, but any big, trailed drill has a hefty price tag and I believe that the mounted M:DSX will allow many farmers who can’t justify a big, trailed drill to access this industry-leading drilling system for a significantly lower cost,” Ed continued. “The popular 25cm row spacing isn’t an option on all mounted direct drills launched recently by Horizon’s competitors, but we believe it offers significant advantages including the ability to adopt mechanical weeding techniques helping reduce dependence on chemicals and to farm more sustainably – something that is attracting more interest across our trading area.”
Demonstrations being booked
Along with the Horizon trailed DSX drill, Ernest Doe and Ernest Doe Power will be running a mounted 6m M:DSX drill and PPX precision planter in the spring, explained Ed.
All the Horizon products will be on display at the dealer’s annual Doe Show, 6–8th February, at Ulting.
View Farmads drills for sale here
SIP says its new Disc HD range “redefines mowing with exceptional performance, innovative technology, robust design solutions and efficiency”. Including advanced features such as swath merging, exceptional mowing quality on undulating terrain and cutting-edge safety measures, these mowers offer a “perfect solution” that addresses the challenges of modern farming and contracting.
Expanding SIP’s range of mower conditioners, the Disc HD 1000 D FS offers working widths of 9.20–10.20m and the Disc HD 1100 D FS working widths of 10.5–11.08m – now the largest butterfly mower conditioner available from the company. These mowers deliver impressive capacity of up to 18.5ha/hour and 20ha/hour respectively and are fitted with steel finger conditioners.
The Disc HD 1000 D FS can be equipped with cross conveyor belts for swath merging, when it is designated the Disc HD 1000 D FS BC. With advanced conditioning and swath merging technology using belt conveyors, you can mow, condition, and prepare forage swaths in one pass – crucial in short harvest windows.
To ensure exceptional mowing quality on slopes and an impressive 515mm sideshift capability of each cutterbar increases overlap when turning. Guaranteeing smooth operation on all terrain, the mowers are equipped with the hydro pneumatic suspension system (HPS), ensuring premium forage quality, and a significant reduction in cutter bar wear and fuel costs.
The newly designed aerodynamic cutterbar increases crop flow dynamics preventing the accumulation of cut material in the cutterbar area, improving mowing efficiency. The 409mm diameter discs on the 16-disc cutterbar ensure uniform crop flow while reducing power/fuel consumption.
The DDSS (Disc Drive Safety System) offers protection via shear pins integrated into a double flange. The support frame is fitted with a combination of double dampers absorbing peak dynamic loads, extending the overall system’s lifespan.
The Overload Monitoring System covers the entire driveline, ensuring every component operates at its peak performance. It operates as an early warning system, sensing rotation speed drop anywhere along the driveline, and providing an alert via the in-cab control box.
SIP has also introduced a new generation of rotary rakes – the Star R 870|26 TC (8.6m maximum working width) and Star R 930|28 TC (9.25m maximum working width). These centre delivery rakes offer robust and powerful solutions for maximum performance, ease of maintenance and operation, the company reckons. This new generation of Star rakes fits the needs of medium to large farms and contractors.
The Star R 930|28 TC boasts a capacity of 13ha/hour, catering to those with even larger operational demands.
These models complete SIP’s range of existing large central delivery rakes including the STAR 1000 and 1250 machines.
The Disc HD 1000 FS BC and the 930|28 TC H delighted audiences at Agritechnica in November 2023 and will be launched to the UK market at LAMMA at the NEC Birmingham on 17–18th January. Machines will be available in the UK for 2024.
“The FieldLoad Pro continues to be a very popular set-up for truly versatile and efficient post-harvest handling,” says Richard Knighton, sales manager at Tong Engineering. “We have always referred to the machine as our on-farm and in-field powerhouse and it really has proved to be just that, with many customers processing in excess of 100 tonnes of crop per hour into boxes, bulkers and bulk storage. However, we work with vegetable producers of all sizes and not everyone needs such a high-capacity machine; and this is where the new, narrower machine can ensure all the same efficiencies to suit lower throughput requirements.”
Suitable for use on a wide range of root crops including potatoes, carrots, onions and more, the new, more compact FieldLoad Pro features all the same options as the flagship machine but simply in a narrower format. The machine features a heavy-duty reception hopper feeding a choice of crop cleaning units including Tong’s renowned EasyClean separator available with Auto-Touch HMI controls, as well as the company’s high-speed PU coil cleaning system and star cleaning units.
Custom-built to suit grower’s exact specification, the new FieldLoad Pro model will feature the standard four-man inspection cabin and a 1,300mm wide fully foldable cart elevator. A super-silent onboard generator provides power efficiency for in-field operation, which can be bypassed for mains power when operating on-farm. Like the larger model, the new compact model can be specified with the latest optical sorting equipment as an alternative to the standard inspection cabin, for ultimate automation and sorting efficiency.
“We pride ourselves on continuously developing our equipment to ensure the most suitable solutions for growers large and small in the UK and worldwide,” added Tong Engineering sales director, Charlie Rich. “The new compact model of the FieldLoad Pro is one of the latest examples of this, where we have introduced a new compact and affordable machine which brings all the efficiencies of the flagship FieldLoad Pro to even more vegetable growers.”
The Log Splitter is powered by a hydraulic ram which produces 20 tonnes of pressure and it is operated by the safe and easy-to-use twin-handled operation, which meets all the latest safety requirements.
The legally required twin-handle operation works its own independent spool block, with the splitter only requiring a single-acting hydraulic feed from its power source. The Log Splitter has Category 1/2 linkage mounting for use with a tractor, but alternatively it can be used with a hydraulic power pack or telehandler.
The central beam is robust and strong, limiting the possibility of any bending or twisting during operation of the Log Splitter, while the specially-shaped splitting head slices through wood effortlessly, with a maximum splitting height of 650mm. The base of the splitter is fabricated from checker plate which prevents the danger of the wood sliding.
The Ceres Log Splitter can be used as a single piece, or in conjunction with the optional heavy-duty table. The table makes a great addition, increasing the splitter’s efficiency and ergonomics, with a height of 710mm (28in), a width of 1,980mm (6ft 6in), which provides a working space of 740mm (29in) on either side of the centrally-positioned splitter, and a top thickness of 6mm (1/4in). The heavy-duty table is particularly useful for processing large quantities of wood, because it makes the process of loading bags, boxes or bins much quicker and easier.
The table also comes complete with Category 1/2 linkage mounting and two large box section feet for stability as well as compatibility with forklifts and loaders. The splitter is easily detachable from the table, meaning that you have the choice of using the Log Splitter alone, so you can still gain access to challenging environments.
Both the Log Splitter itself and the heavy-duty table come painted as standard. Alternatively, they are available with a hard-wearing, galvanised finish, for increased longevity and durability. Due to the splitter and the table being separate components, you can choose whether to have both or either parts with the galvanised finish.
In an industry where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are paramount, UK arable farmer Chris Hollingsworth’s experience with Farmdeals’ urea collective deal is a testament to the innovative approach Farmdeals is bringing to agricultural purchasing.
As a first-time user of Farmdeals’ collective buying service, Chris said was astounded by the exceptional value and convenience offered, highlighting the significant savings and streamlined process.
“In June, I tapped into Farmdeals urea collective and was astounded to find the prices 14% lower than other suppliers – a significant saving in our farm business input costs.
“I’ve previously relied on various buying groups in the past, but none have matched the cost-effectiveness that Farmdeals offers. The 14% cheaper rate really made a difference to our bottom line. The ordering and delivery process impressed me the most. It was incredibly easy and stress-free, which is a rarity inside farming.”
By aggregating demand for essential supplies like fertiliser, Farmdeals is enabling farmers to negotiate better prices and terms from suppliers. This not only reduces costs but also fosters a sense of community and mutual support among farmers.
The process of participating in these collective deals is straightforward and accessible. Farmers can register for free via the Farmdeals website. By removing financial barriers to entry, Farmdeals opens the door for more farmers to benefit from collective bargaining power.
Currently, Farmdeals is running a new urea collective deal, with over 16 varieties on offer, a timely initiative considering the critical role of urea in farming operations. This deal promises to offer urea at prices significantly lower than the market rate, addressing a major pain point for farmers – high input costs. The success of such deals not only helps in reducing expenses but also aids in improving the overall profitability and sustainability of farming practices.
Farmdeals is continuously expanding its range of products, responding dynamically to the evolving needs of the farming community. Recognising the diverse requirements of a modern sustainable agriculture, the platform is committed to broadening its selection to encompass a wide array of agricultural inputs and tools. This expansion is not just about adding more products; it’s about providing a comprehensive solution to farmers, ensuring they have access to everything they need in one convenient place.
Farmdeals distinguishes itself in the agricultural buying sector with its unique approach: no membership fees, no minimum spend requirements, and no commitment. This approach makes agricultural supplies more accessible to all, enabling farmers of various sizes to leverage the advantages of collective or spot price purchasing without facing the financial hurdles typically linked to conventional buying groups.
For anyone wishing to join Farmdeals you can join at www.farmdeals.ag or via the Future Farm app in the app store.
