I am going to purchase a new fertiliser spreader. I am looking at either an Amazone ZA-M or a Vicon Rotaflow, Vicon claim their Rotaflow design is more accurate on slopes. Any opinions on either machine would be appreciated, or any other machines you would recommend.

Look at Kuhn, just been to the factory (Rauch), very impressive machines, thoroughly tested, lots of expertise there. DW

Bought Sulky Expert last yr. Spread pattern can be adjusted in a predictable fashion to spread different ferts, with simple quadrant. Runs horizontal in fore/aft plane (no farting about trying to maintain pre set tilt angle as spreader empties, like Amazone) Stainless disks, one set only for everything, and hopper bottoms etc. Gearboxes made by Comer (should be available from bearing/gearbox suppliers if need arises). Simple construction, few places for fert to hide. Do have a look. Regards.

I've used a Vicon Rotaflow very successfully for past 4 years. No problems and it still shines like new inside and out. Only used on the flat though! Would like to buy hopper extensions this year to cope with 600kgs bags.

Try a Bredal B2 .The machine is simple ,reliable and dead easy to calibrate.Will spread granular urea up to 30 metres i am told.

Don't buy either, use your sprayer and go liquid, far more accurate than any spreader!!

Go for kuhn with telemat fitted for headland spreading and quantron for accurate spreading

I have a neighbour who as a sideline also works for spreader calibration services going about farms testing machines. He bought a sulky last year which to my mind means they must be about the best as he has worked on all makes.

Have a look at the KRM EX machines, we have had two and both had been great machines apart from a weak linkp in on the first one which has been beefed up on later machines. Had no problems with accuracy working across our slopes in the Chilterns. Electronic box very easy to use and particularly like its automatic rate adjustment.

amazone spreaders have run level for over 10 years since zam models were introduced. world,s best selling machine, must be a reason for thst.

Another vote for Kuhn. Strong, simple to calibrate, operate, and clean. Telemat is worth the extra. Had a KRM before, double double overlap was accurate, but lots of under/overlap in little silly shaped fields, and headland vanes were a waste of time. Paintwork was a bit better than Kuhn though.

Cannot speak from experience about ZAM. Our machine was ZAU. Though I was sure std white 20m disks are the same on neighbours ZAM spreader,and that they have to cock it up/down at the back to make a mediocre job of spreading urea, same as we had to.

I can't see why the Vicon should be more accurate on slopes than other disc machines. We had problems with varying slopes on headlands, where the field was flatish for the first tramline, and then rose steeply for the second. Fertalizer would always end up not going the distance, and we always ended up with a strip between the 2 tramlines going flat. We now use a Kuhn Aero 20m pneumatic. Very accurate, and the foot of the hedge gets as much as the middle of the field, but none goes into the hedge. - Must admit though, it is slower to use than conventional spreaders, but cheap urea can be spread accurately, keeping the fertalizer costs to a minimum. - Also works extremely well on grass seeds, where it is much quicker than a conventional!!!.

we uused to have a zau which had to be tilted for different settings, a right pig to use but amazone saw the light and their spreaders now run level and are now easy to use and robust. paintwork good . border limiter great . kuhn machine similar. now on our 2nd zam which is even better than the first one.

We had a rotaflow for 3 years until it fell apart, would not recommend one as ours gave nothing but trouble, it was an RSM model, basic spec. Spread pattern was good though. Bought a Kuhn 1131 last year with telemat but not electronic rate system and am really pleased with it. Easy to set up and adjust.

Sorry been away on holiday for a couple of weeks but thought I might as well add my 2p's worth. Another vote for the Kuhn. We run a Kuhn 1131 with telemat and an Aero, Now. Both at 24m The Spinner for first pass with Prill when going a bit soft and also all the grassland and any fert in ploughing, Where the weight and risk of damaging the Aero would be too great. But the Aero is the absolute dogs, but needs looking after and treating with care. The Spinner replaced a lely centreliner which was absolutely fine and simple with the headland tilt but it was worn out. Have also had experience of the Bredal which will spread absolutely anything but I would say are a bit crude when compared to the Aero and the 1131 is simpler and cheaper in my opinion, but really couldn't fault it. Cheers Alistair

any new thoughts on this, we need to replace a centreliner urgently, looking for 24 meters and no stripes grumpy.

There was an article in last month's Profi i think. Try and have a look at that if you can, it will tell you all you want to know

We have a KRM EX Trend fitted with a LH5000 controller & have found it pretty accurate. I bought it mainly because it could be used with our existing GPS kit, it was good to read the report in Profi, it backed up my 'gut' feeling after using it! DGJ

Kuhn or Bredal. Read the profi test.

Kuhn or Bredal. Read the profi test.

another vote for the sulky. It is so easy to adjust spread pattern there is one lever to set which means it actually gets adjusted between jobs. one little shield to drop down for headland work, no swapping discs or tilting machines. and you get a set of spread pattern test trays with each machine so there is no excuse!!!

Pity the casual reader would get impression from Profi test that Sulky was second rate, largely because it did not perform 100% when set according to charts; Notwithstanding that everyone knows handbook settings are at best only a guide to initial set-up.

This is a genuine question. How can I read the profi test? Kent

Take a look at: http://www.bogballe.dk/Engelsk/Diverse/Velkommen.html Very precise! Soeren