Simba launches SL cultivator range

UK cultivations specialist Simba chose Agritechnica to launch its latest SL cultivator range into both west and east European markets. These tine and disc cultivators use proven components from the Lincolnshire firm’s Solo and X-Press ranges to give a versatile tool that can be used as a primary cultivator in min-till systems or for working down ploughing. There are 4m, 5m, 6m and 7m versions and the variable-angle discs and auto-reset tines can be used in different orders according to customer preference. Consolidation comes from a roller with 150mm spacings to leave a fine finish.

Child alarm warns of kids nearby

German company Satcon has come up with a high-tech way of ensuring that small children don’t get near working machinery without the driver knowing. Their solution involves the child wearing a small, hard-to-remove bracelet which sends out a signal that sounds an alarm in the cab of the tractor, combine or forager when the child gets within 100m of it. Satcon says that German insurance companies plan to make it mandatory for all new tractors to be fitted with the unit by 2009 as a condition of getting cover. Cost at the moment is 1300 euros (£910) for the bracelet, receiver and two antennas but that could fall sharply if and when they are fitted as standard.

Multi-purpose John Dale drill

All Till Drill from Lincolnshire maker John Dale Drills is designed to operate as either a direct drill, min-till drill or into conventional seed-beds. It comes in 3m, 4m, 6m, 8m and 10m widths and has compact tine assemblies and a telescoping frame that folds quickly to give a transport width of 2.9m and a height of 4m. Press wheels trap the straw against the ground and help stop trash building up on the tines. The hopper holds 5t of seed. Cost is 80,000 euros for the 8m version.

Promar targets west European market

You probably won’t have heard of Poland’s biggest tractor maker Pronar, since it currently sells most of its 3000/yr output to its domestic market plus Russian and east European farmers (and a few to Eire). But it is starting to target west European markets (including the UK) with a range of tractors that mix home-grown components with western technology. This 8140 models packs a 265hp Deutz engine, 40 x 40 ZF transmission, Bosch hydraulics and Dana axles and a cab that looked modern and well made. There are also 180hp and 100hp models.