Amazone has gone large with the latest addition to its precision-hoe range – the Venterra VR 4 is available in working widths from 7.2-12.8m.

Clearly designed for large farms where mechanical weed control plays a part across various crop types, the newcomer is also reckoned to be suited to a contract service because of its ability to work partially folded to cover different widths.

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The VR 4 weeder is available with a choice of two parallelogram tool mounting frames: the EKP unit carries up to three hoe blades for row widths between 160mm and 375mm, while the KPP hosts as many as five soil-working blades for row widths from 90-125mm.

Differing blade shapes can be fitted to suit a range of crops and conditions, with the patented no-tool RapidoClip quick-fit system facilitating quick changes from one to another, either all of the same design, or in combinations.

Virtual eyes

The Horus Professional camera vision system aims to ensure damage-free weeding by detecting crop plants based on their position, by differences between crop and weed height in 3D mode, or by colour differentiation.

It works in conjunction with Amazone’s SmartVision camera system to provide reliable guidance, with automatic side-slope correction and with the fully integrated frame offset mechanism providing up to 60cm of lateral travel.

Operator assurance that all is well comes from viewing guidance images on an in-cab display.

In addition to weeding, the new Venterra VR 4 can be worked in conjunction with an FTender front tank and a distribution head on the hoe to apply fertiliser or broadcast seed, when undersowing, for example.

The RowSpray setup, meanwhile, caters for liquid fertiliser or plant protection chemicals.

Hydraulic lift and lower of individual row units triggered by satellite guidance adds a section control function, and units can also be tucked in when folding for partial-width working or road travel.