What ever the method of getting a crop in the ground, kit for all persuasions was on show. Jane Carley, Geoff Ashcroft and Alex Heath report from the indoor show. Pictures by Marcello Garbagnoli and John Eveson.
Weaving Sabre 6000M drill
As part of its updates to the Sabre Tine drill, Weaving Machinery has ditched the plastic hopper in favour of a 1.6-tonne capacity all-steel version.
Depth wheels have been relocated from the back to the middle of the frame, while folding wing sections offer +/- six-degrees of lateral float - both aimed at improving contour following.
An optional front-row of discs are available to future-proof the drill says Simon Weaving, for those seeking a cultivator drill capable of direct drilling.
Available in 3m, 4.8m and 6m working widths, the Sabre Tine is priced from £24,800.
Vaderstad NZ mounted cultivator
Vaderstad has updated its NZ tractor-mounted cultivator range with an all-new headstock and the availability of a double row of tines on its following harrow.
The headstock design now benefits from a pivoting cross-shaft, which is mechanically locked for transport. Removing two locking pins enables the mounted machine to behave like a trailed unit, improving in-field manoeuvrability and versatility with headland turns. This 6m unit is priced from £17,000.
Sumo Vaxio cultivator
Following a prolonged gestation period of several seasons, Sumo's Vaxio cultivator has been given final tweaks as it enters full production.
Along with hydraulic wing locks for the folding sections and fully adjustable disc gangs, the Vaxio's Multipacker rear roller now benefits from bolt-on wear sections. Each ring comprises four pieces, secured by two bolts, and different profiles afford a change in style to suit different soil types, representing a cost-effective overhaul for a worn packer roller. Sumo's Vaxio range is priced from £73,173, for a 4m model.
SamAgri Virkar direct drill
Those seeking out a direct drilling solution may be interested in the Virkar unit imported through sole UK distributor SamAgri.
Availabe in 4.5, five, six and seven metre working widths, the Spanish-built seeder uses a hydraulically pressurised, wavy-edged cutting disc that creates a 10mm slot of tilth, followed by a seed tine with press discs.
Row spacing can be 19 or 25cm, and the triple-section hopper affords a variety of grain, fertiliser or companion crop options to be handled. A fourth hopper option is available.
The Virkar drill also features a steering axle, to counter the effects of crabbing on hillsides. This 6m unit is priced at £76,500.
J Brock and Sons hydraulic folding sub-soiler
Development of J Brock and Sons' own cultivation equipment has seen the arrival of a range of tractor-mounted sub-soilers from the Essex-based maker, offering fixed and hydraulic folding frames.
Currently available in 3m and 4m working widths - there are plans to develop a 6m unit - the 4m unit can be specified as a fixed or folding machine. Legs are arranged in a V-formation complete with shear bolt protection, and followed by a packer roller. The Sub-V 400F costs £15,250.
He-Va Stealth subsoiler
He-Va premiered its latest tool for low disturbance sub-soiling. Designed for farmers with weed grass problems and no-till urges, it features a set of serrated cutting discs, ahead of 15mm wide legs, fitted with 120mm tungsten tipped points.
Legs as standard are spaced at 500mm but can be altered to 450 or 550mm with shear bolt or hydraulic reset options. The company reckons 200hp is enough to pull a four metre version, but it will need weight up front due to the heavy construction and 600mm V-profile packer. There are various configurations from three metre to seven metre working widths.
Standen QM windrower
Pride of place on root crop kit manufacturer Standen's stand was its QM Windrower. Based on the chassis of its popular export machine the QM, the windrower is aimed at growers who require more output from their self-propelled harvesters, or require a lighter, lower powered harvester.
A cart elevator can be supplied, and the firm's hydraulically-driven Omega separating unit is fitted allowing windrows to be placed either side of the machine, and even over another bed if needed, for opening out.
Sumo Mixidisc cultivator
Sumo's Mixidisc has been given additional strengthening with diagonal cross-bracing to improve frame rigidity. In addition, the cultivator has been equipped with a levelling disc on either end of the each disc gang. Adjustable in working height through a pin and hole mechanism, the levelling discs can be adjusted to suit different soil types, to prevent ridging between passes.
Sky Agriculture Easy Drill
The Easy Drill from Sky Agriculture has had a major refresh, with all but the disc coulter revamped. Up to four hoppers can be specified, the largest of which is split 60:40 and can hold 4,100 litres of seed and fertiliser.
The RDS control unit of old has been outed in favour of a Muller unit, which is now IsoBus ready, while the drill itself now has a CanBus system, meaning more metering systems and sensors can be employed with less wire. Coupled to this are electronic valves on each of the outlets of the distribution head which allow for different row spacings while half width shutoff is achievable.
J Brock and Sons Farmet Fantom
The Farmet Fantom range of cultivators offered by J Brock and Sons now includes a selection of tractor-mounted models.
Designed as a heavy-duty spring tine cultivator for use at depths of up to 15cm, the mounted Fantom range offers working widths from three to 4.7m. The new models fill in the bottom end of the range, and compliments the trailed Fantom Classic and Pro models, which extend from 6.5 to 12.5m.
