New swath control system cuts fertilizer overlap
The New Leader division of US manufacturer Highway Equipment Company has produced a truck-mounted spreader with swath width control to eliminate application overlap.
Adjustments in spreading orientation are made by altering the feed-on point for material dropping on to the spinning discs. Unusually, this is not achieved by adjusting the feed chute, but by shifting the entire disc assembly to the left or right, forward or back.
The G5 swath control technology was developed in partnership with precision farming specialist Ag Leader and is based on the Isobus electronics protocol. That means operators can use any Isobus-compliant display to operate the system.
Company: New Leader
Name: NL5000 G5
Type: Precision variable rate nutrient application
Key feature: Section and half-width control to minimise double application
More info: www.highwayequipment.com
It provides 16-section swath width control to minimise double application where swaths converge, and half-width spreading to headlands if required. A boundary spreading function produces a sharp cut-off to the throw on one side to minimise nutrients being applied beyond the cropped area.
Up to 25 profiles can be memorised for recall when changing to a different fertiliser and the software is expandable to also handle a tarpaulin, lid and lighting functions. The NL5000 G5 spreader is available in sizes 7.73cu m and 8.35cu m (273cu ft and 295cu ft), and uses a hydraulically driven conveyor to feed material to the discs. These are also driven by hydraulic motor, with speed sensing and flow-control valves maintaining balanced distribution.
Combined application
New Leader’s Multibin option provides 4 compartments for the combined application of fertilisers and micronutrients, while the MultApplier insert enables 2 products to be applied independently or simultaneously at variable rates.
Cross tubes, mounts and take-up brackets are made of stainless steel for corrosion resistance, and sensors check the spreader’s hydraulic condition and performance using fluid level, temperature, filter restriction and pressures. Multiple test ports make in-field service and diagnostics easier, says New Leader.
