Potato kit specialist
Grimme has unveiled a new generation of
planters and harvesters with significant modifications.
The firm hopes its new four-row GL44T planter will offer growers
improved performance over other belt-fed machines, while the new
Tectron self-propelled harvester has been designed to lift potatoes
more efficiently.
The GL44T planter has been designed to give some of the accuracy
of cup-fed planters to a belt-fed machine. Seed is channelled on to
ridged belts running from the 3t hopper to each planting
downpipe.
But to avoid a pile-up of potatoes causing gaps in plantings,
each ridged belt has a conveyor belt to the right and left, running
in the opposite direction.
These pick up superfluous potatoes and return them to the start
of the belt for gentle alignment into the planting row.
Most belt planters have needed relatively flat fields for
optimum performance, but Grimme has equipped its new four-rower
with automatic, hydraulic fore-and-aft (±8%) and lateral levelling
to allow precise spacing even on slopes.
Fertiliser placement and liquid seed treatment options are also
available.
Also new from Grimme, its new generation 490hp four-row Tectron
self-propelled harvester will begin arriving in European fields
next year and features the maker’s new “Terra-Float” pick-up
system, with fi ve 950mm diameter wheels running in front of the
lift elevator.
These act as depth control and yawing stabiliser and take over
from standard disc coulters. The Terra-Float wheels replace the
Diabolo rollers and this, says Grimme, means that earth and tubers
are lifted more freely on to the elevator web, improving
performance.
Terra-Float wheels also take some of the load off the
harvester’s front axle and help to reduce soil compaction.
With a haulm chopper fitted, the big wheels press the trash into
the ground between the furrows, substantially reducing stalks and
leaves flowing up the elevator.
fwmachinery@rbi.co.uk