Case IH spray technology commands attention

THE latest Case IH Patriot sprayer with the new AIM Command FLEX S technology is a game-changer in spray technology, offering even more advantages than the previous form, the AIM Command PRO.

It offers consistent, flexible and accurate application, regardless of speed and terrain.

Case IH high horsepower and sprayer product manager for Australia/New Zealand, Alyx Selsmeyer, said there were three levels of technology on the newest Patriot sprayer – Non- AIM Command, AIM Command FLEX and AIM Command FLEX S – with the three levels giving the customer increasing levels of spray control.

She said features of the FLEX technology included:

• More consistent rate control over a wider range of speeds. With properly sized tips, operators can see up to an 8:1 speed ratio when compared to a 2:1 speed ratio most rate controller only sprayers are capable of.
• Thirty-six section overlap control. This will minimise costly over spray and double applications which can not only stunt the growth of the crop but can also lead to lodging, slowing things down at harvest time as well.
• Increased drift control by allowing the boom pressure to be adjusted independent of the target rate and sprayer speed. With the push of a button operators can toggle between two fully customizable spray pressures. Lower pressure can be used to achieve larger droplet sizes that are less prone to drift in sensitive areas, and a higher pressure can be used to increase the force droplets have for increased canopy penetration where drift is less of a concern.
• Application rate turn compensation. This means that potential damage is minimized when spraying around trees, utility poles, or any curve in a field where the spray boom can be traveling faster on the outside of the turn and slower on the inside. The flow rate through each tip is adjusted based on its position on the boom and the speed of the turn to maintain the proper application rate at each tip.
• Increased product application flexibility. For example: operators can choose to increase spray rates up to 30 per cent from the target rate in key sections of the boom. Those sections include up to eight nozzles behind the sprayer wheel tracks, on the outside of the boom, or wherever the operator chooses; all to address in field conditions that operators may encounter.

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New look Scorpion telescopic loaders

GLOBAL farm machinery manufacturer, CLAAS, has launched its all-new series of SCORPION agricultural telescopic loaders at this year’s Agritechnica exhibition in Germany.

Developed in partnership with materials handling manufacturer, Liebherr, all models have been overhauled to deliver even greater handling performance, efficiency, comfort and safety.

Some of the many improvements include the addition of the DYNAMIC POWER engine management system, the SMART LOADING driver-assistance system for fine control of the working hydraulics and overload protection, a fully automatic parking brake, optional controlled crab steering and an all-new cab configuration.

CLAAS Harvest Centre product manager – CLAAS SCORPION, Shane Barratt, said the new range included two new models, the SCORPION 741 and 1033 models.

“The SCORPION 741 is a compact, highly manoeuvrable ‘all-rounder’ that has an above-average lifting capacity of over 4 tonnes,” Mr Barratt said.

“At the other end of the scale, the SCORPION 1033 has been developed for those situations where an a particularly long reach is needed.

“It has a maximum lifting height of 9.75 m which allows bales to be easily stacked at greater heights and dozing work can be carried out in grain stores.”

The new series is currently undergoing field testing and should hit Australian shores early next year.

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Europe’s Tractor of the Year winners

AGCO’s Valtra Versu T254 Smart Touch tractor has taken out both the Tractor of the Year 2018 and Best Design awards announced at this year’s Agritechnia machinery exhibition in Hanover, Germany.

The Argo Tractor Group’s McCormick X6 Vt-drive tractor won the category for Best Utility Tractor, while the Fendt 211 Vario V tractor won the Best of Specialized division.

The Tractor of the Year competition is an annual, international award judged by a group of independent journalists specialising in agricultural mechanisation who select the best tractors in the European market.

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New Holland’s Machine of Year

THE New Holland T6.175 Dynamic CommandTM tractor was crowned Machine of the Year 2018 in the Mid Class Tractor category at the Agritechnica trade show.

The machine received the award for its technical innovation and the benefits it brings to customers, with selection criteria focusing on innovative features, performance, productivity, cost of operation, ease of use and operator comfort.

Carlo Lambro, New Holland Agriculture brand president, Carlo Lambro, said the award was recognition of the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the development of the T6.175 Dynamic Command tractor.

In August 2017, New Holland announced it was expanding its acclaimed T6 Series offering with the new T6 Dynamic CommandTM option.

These new T6.145, T6.155, T6.165 and T6.175 are the only tractors in the segment featuring a 24×24 semi powershift transmission on the market.

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Axion debuts at Agritechnia

CLAAS unveiled prototypes of its AXION advanced technology tractors equipped with TERRA TRAC at this year’s Agritechnica in Germany.

Making its debut at Agritechnica was the AXION 900 with TERRA TRAC, billed as the first half-track tractor with full suspension.

The tractor crawler assembly features a larger drive wheel to increase torque.

The independent suspension of the drive wheel, land wheel and support rollers allows the crawler track unit to adapt to the ground, ensuring optimum traction, efficiency and comfort.

Even during heavy tillage at low speed, the crawler track system transmits the drive power to the ground with minimal slippage.

Source: Case IH, Claas, New Holland, Agritechnia