Press Releases 2008

22 May 2008

Royal Show Gold for nitrogen sensor

The RASE Machinery Awards, based on rigorous examination of the performance of the machines in the hands of commercial users, provide a major talking point at every Royal Show. The award winning machines will take pride of place at this years’ event at Stoneleigh, July 3rd-6th, where demonstrators will showcase the winners.

A tractor or sprayer mounted remote optical sensor that determines the nitrogen demand of a field by measuring the crop’s light reflectance has scooped the Gold Medal in the 2008 RASE Machinery Awards.

In all, one Gold Medal and nine Silver Medals were awarded in 2008. Silvers went to a mixer wagon, a ball-and-cup coupling system, a self propelled forage harvester, a mobile sheep handling system, a tractor with two different engine settings, a stone and clod separator, a potato harvester, an articulated wheeled loader and an advanced cultivator.

The Gold Medal winner, the Yara N Sensor can accurately record and deliver precise levels of nutrient according to the crop’s requirements. Using this information the crop’s nitrogen status can be measured at 50 sq metres of crop per second and the data translated into an application rate.

Commenting on the machine, the RASE Award judges said:

“Users are enthusiastic about the benefits of using the N Sensor. Increased average yields, more economical use of fertilisers, increased crop uniformity and excellent durable construction are highlighted as many of its positive features. Users also said it offered an ethical approach to nitrogen application, contributing towards their environmental responsibilities by specifically tailoring fertiliser applications”.

The N Sensor operates by sending a signal to the spreader or sprayer rate controller which will adjust the levels of application, enabling the fertiliser rate to be adjusted instantaneously, providing ‘real time agronomy’. With its own light source the N Sensor ALS is able to operate at all times of the day and night and in all conditions enabling timely application.

A Silver Medal and the Institution of Agricultural Engineers Award for a machine making a specific contribution to sustainable farming was won by Valtra’s new EcoPower tractors. Operators can select between the ‘Eco mode’ and the ‘Power mode’ at the flick of a switch in the cab, providing two different engine settings depending on the task at hand. Valtra’s engine management system allows the operator to optimise the engines performance, fuel consumption, engine wear rate and hydraulic output.

Eco mode is recommended primarily for field operations giving very high torque at low engine rpm. Power mode conversely is more suited to transport, PTO and high hydraulic output applications. In Power mode the tractor performs like most conventional units.The Valtra EcoPower offers fuel savings of circa 10%, reduced engine revs resulting in noise reductions and increased longevity of the engine and associated components.

Other Silver Medals went to:
The Seko Bio Chopper mixer wagons, distributed by Harry West (Prees) Ltd. They are designed for shredding and mixing waste to make compost. The wagons are in capacities of 5, 9, 13, 15, 17 and 20 cubic metres with tractor PTO requirements from 40 to 250 HP, which provides mixing - chopping capacities from about 3600kg per hour to over 14000kg per hour.

The Scharmuller Ball Coupling System K80 distributed in the UK by J H Milnes Ltd which provides a successful alternative to the traditional tractor hitch system. The K80 can be fitted to most Pick Up Hitch (PUH) systems and requires modification to both the tractor PUH and the implement tow ring. The traditional hook or clevis fitted to the tractor is replaced with a hardened steel 80 mm ball, the implement tow ring is removed and a bolt on hardened steel spoon coupling is fitted.

Krone’s BiG X Self Propelled Forage Harvester is available in four models ranging from a six cylinder 510 hp engine (BiG X 500) through to a twin engine providing 1020 hp (BiG X 1000). The BiG X synchronises two different sized engines, working together through their own electronic system. This enables power to be provided when required. The power of one engine is used on the road and in light crops and the second kicks in automatically in heavier crops, optimising productivity and fuel consumption.

The Scotpen is a mobile aluminium sheep handling system, allowing the pen to be taken to the sheep rather than moving sheep back to the farm. This optimises time and manpower, which in turn provides an economic saving. The complete system is lightweight and easy to use and has been strengthened to ensure all components are durable and long lasting.

The Grimme CS 150/170 ROTA-Power separates stone and clods from pre-ridged beds and leaves a uniformed bed for planting. The ROTA-Power offers improved work quality and reduced running costs. Its front rotor, situated behind the share, breaks up the soil as it leaves the share ensuring that separation starts on the first row of stars. As separation and sieving occurs at a much earlier point Grimme claim a 20% increase in output and reduced wear.

Grimme’s GT 170 potato harvester has a completely new chassis design and drive construction, providing increased visibility to the sieving area. The two inline Multisep separators give increased cleaning capacity and output, ensuring efficient trash separation without losses or damage to the crop. Five pairs of contra-rotating shafts, each consisting of spiral segments and one plain rubber roller clean the crop. The plain rubber rollers have mechanical height and distance adjustment.

The JCB Telemaster TM310S has a maximum lift capacity of 3100 kg to a lift height of 5.2m and is powered by a 145hp JCB Dieselmax engine. Telemaster is 100% British built. The hydraulic system has been redesigned and the multi-gear pump has been replaced with a single piston pump with flow on demand. This provides increased machine efficiency and a maximum flow of 140 litre/min.

Techmagri’s Profilab cultivator is available in a range of working widths from 2.5m (mounted) to 6m (folding) and has a working depth range of 10 to 25cm. Power requirement is from 40-50hp per metre. Unlike traditional straight tines fitted with wings the Profilab has leading and trailing tines operating at the same depth but facing in opposing directions. Leading tines are curved to the right and trailing tines to the left. Complete soil movement occurs during the tillage operation leaving an even soil surface.

See the machines on display and talk to the manufacturers and judges at the 2008 Royal Show, 3rd-6th July.

- Ends -

For further information and a selection of photographs contact:

Julie Bublaitis
RASE Press Office
Tel: 02476 858217
Email: julieb@rase.org.uk