PLENTYOFTACKLE ISALLSETTO
PLENTYOFTACKLE ISALLSETTO
As ever, the Irish Ploughing
Championships will provide
visitors with an array of new
machinery developments.
Chris McCullough provides
a run down of some of the
key entrants
KUHN says it will be exhibiting a wide range of machinery at this years event, of which two will be new to Ireland – a power harrow and a pneumatic drill.
Available initially in 3m and 4m formats, the new series HR1003 powerharrow range features a number of refinements when compared to the companys HR 1002 range. Quick release tines are now fitted as standard and other modifications include a 3mm increase in the wall of the crucial rotor bearing housing – an arrangement designed to provide better resistance to distortion when working in difficult conditions. There is also a change in the position of the input shaft to reduce the severity of angles when the machine is raised clear of the ground.
Kuhns pneumatic cereal drill range benefits from a new model. The Venta LC is lighter and more compact than the Venta AL and Ti models and also offers the advantage of improved accessibility for loading and cleaning, and better visibility from the tractor due to its lower profile.
Retaining the same seed metering and distribution mechanisms employed on earlier models, the Venta LC also has the recently introduced RS3 electronic control box. This provides a number of important alarm functions – an adjustable minimum seed level sensor is one of them – as well as managing tramline operation. The Venta LC can be supplied with double discs or Suffolk coulters and is available in 3m and 4m formats.
Machinery giant John Deere will use the championships 2000 to introduce a number of new developments to the Irish market. Being launched for the first time in Ireland is the companys new 3000 series telescopic handlers.
The range offers a new frame and boom design, a new engine and transmission, new hydraulics and electrics, plus a new cab and operating platform. The two models in the range, the 3200 and the 3400 are powered by a JD PowerTech 4.5 litre 100HP engines and both feature a four speed synchromesh transmission with forward/reverse shuttle and permanent four-wheel-drive.
Flagship combine
Also on display will be John Deeres flagship combine, the CTS, which features a number of improvements for 2000. The main change is the introduction of a new CommandTouch cab with a number of new comfort features. Powered by a JD 8.1 litre PowerTech diesel engine rated at 305HP, the new CTS is available with a 6.7 m (22ft) or 7.6m (25ft) header and includes a straw chopper as standard.
Included in the John Deere camp will be the JD 6910 tractor with 50kph AutoQuad II transmission and the 956 centre pivot mower conditioner.
County Mayo-based Major Grasscare has extended its range of agricultural equipment to embrace a new range of Sweeping Brushes and the Rotary Hoe, Stone Burier and Reseeder Combination machine, the full range of which will be on display at the championships. The range of sweeping brushes is designed to operate in the toughest conditions on roads, pathways, yards and sites, says the company.
Ground preparation
Latest arrival, the Rotary Hoe combination unit, is said to be capable of a wide range of ground preparation techniques. The main rotor revolves in the reverse direction to a conventional rotavator so that the soil is agitated forwards and upwards against the direction of travel.
Loosened soil is thrown over the rotor against a series of vertical tines which separate the larger stones from the soil causing them to fall and be covered by the separated soil. This system is deemed to make the machine suitable for use in sports grounds where the top soils have to be compacted and stone free. There may also be opportunities for it to operate in amenity sites – grass belt creation, for example.
New handler
Redrock Engineering from Armagh will be displaying the new Redrock TH300 Telescopic Handler. The company is currently the only manufacturer of telescopic loaders in Northern Ireland and received a Silver Medal award at this years Balmoral Show for its efforts.
Power is supplied by a 106HP Perkins engine driving through an ITL power shift transmission. Features on the TH300 include use of wide 600/55 x 22.5 wheels, to provide added stability, and a high degree of operator visibility. Air conditioning and an air suspended seat are supplied as standard. *
Majors Rotary Hoe, Stone Burier and Reseeder Combination.
New John Deere CTS combine makes its debut appearence
Kuhns new LCVenta cereal drill is lighter and more compact than earlier models, but has the same proven seed metering and distribution.
A new generation of sweepers from Major.
The 3m version of Kuhns new HR 1003 power harrow.
Above and below: The new John Deere 3000 series telescopic handler.