High on many exhibitors priority list was ensuring sufficient means of weed control. This has seen the rise of mechanical weeding systems from a number of manufacturers. Jane Carley, Geoff Ashcroft and Alex Heath report from the bustling Birmingham halls. Pictures by Marcello Garbagnoli and John Eveson.
Hardi Alpha Evo II self-propelled sprayer
New from Hardi is the Alpha Evo II self-propelled sprayer, which features a suspended category four cab, positioned behind the engine to give improved balance and ride quality. The firm's Delta Force heavy duty booms from 24 to 39m can be specified, and tank capacity is 5,100 litres. Standard pump capacity is 334 litres/min and a dedicated fast fill operates at 800 litres/min.
Mechanical axle width adjustment is standard, but HTA hydraulic adjustment can be specified, giving widths from 1.8-2.8m.
KRM L-line fertiliser spreaders
KRM took the wraps off a new range of twin-disc fertiliser spreaders, to suit smaller farming operations.
Called the L-line, there are two models; L15 and L20, with base hopper capacities of 700 litres (one bag). Hopper extensions afford capacity increases of two and three bags respectively.
Both models benefit from a revised chassis without ledges, to avoid fertiliser retention and improve cleaning. Swing-out guards and shields also add to machine accessibility, as do access holes in the frame into which a pressure washer nozzle can be inserted, for easier cleaning.
GM-R trailed sprayer
GM-R celebrates 15 years of manufacturing sprayers with the introduction of the GX-Trail trailed sprayer with 3,600 litre polyethylene tank and 24m three-fold boom, giving a road transport width of 2.45m.
Designed to offer a high standard specification, the GX-Trail comes with steering axle, air suspension, GPS guidance and 12-section auto-section control. A 30 litre stainless steel induction hopper and a pair of LED boom lights are also included. There is a choice of high drawbar or pick-up hitch and control is via an IsoBus terminal. Price is £67,255.
Edwards Farm Machinerys vegetable hoe
Tenbury, Herefordshire-based Edwards Farm Machinery has increased its portfolio of inter-row vegetable weeders with the arrival of the Italian-built Oliver Agro unit.
Designed for working on beds, the implement uses hydraulically powered, spiked weeding discs to clean between rows of crop. Two cameras provide advanced machine guidance with small plants from the two true-leaf stage, while the ability to change nylon spacers between the discs allows multiple rows and bed spacings to be accommodated.
KRM Carre weeder
KRM's latest Carre Econet mechanical weeding hoe has received increased precision with the development of 2D and 3D camera technology. This higher level of accuracy is geared towards greater productivity, allowing the hoe elements to work within 2-3cm of the crop at forward speeds of up to 17kph. "Switching between 2D and 3D imaging lets the Carre Econet differentiate between plants and weeds by using colours or assessing crop height," says KRM md Keith Rennie. "The end result is increased accuracy and productivity, to compensate for a working width that is considerably smaller than a sprayer boom."
Edwards Farm Machinerys front-mounted hoe
Edwards Farm Machinery has updated its front-mounted, inter-row hoe, with an all-new design of folding frame to improve forward visibility. The 6m-wide mechanical weeder was shown with seven tine carriers, and the firm's Rob Edwards highlighted that the implement could be equipped with a wide variety of weeding attachments to suit different crop and soil types. Inter-row guidance is managed using a pair of cameras to operate the implement's hydraulic side-shift. The 6m inter-row hoe is priced from £24,000.
