Many leading machinery manufacturers are using next month’s Cereals event to launch new and updated kit.

Whether it’s a new drill to get crops off to the best start, a replacement sprayer to help plants realise their full potential, or a change of combine to speed up harvest, there’s something for anyone looking to re-equip.

“A big proportion of the 23,500 or more visitors who come to Cereals 2011 are key decision makers or professional operators whose opinions count,” says event director Jon Day. “They make a high quality audience, and our exhibitors are certainly addressing their needs.”

As well as 10ha of working demonstrations there are hundreds of stands offering the latest equipment, each manned by staff ready to advise. And visitors can compare and contrast more than 50 of the latest self-propelled, mounted and trailed sprayers being demonstrated in the Syngenta Sprays & Sprayers Arena.

Sprayers

Agrifac
Agrifac is introducing its new range of sprayers with the latest generation of “J” booms to meet increasing demand for wider, more stable and durable spraying booms. The top-of-the-range Condor self-propelled model has adjustable air suspension on all four wheels, and a self-levelling chassis. The new “J” booms are made from round tube and are robust and stable and offered in widths up to 51m.

John Deere
John Deere’s new 5430i self-propelled sprayer with 36m boom, launched for this season, will be on show. New developments in spray boom suspension, improved levelling and height control allow accurate application even at bigger widths and at speeds of up to 20kph, said the company.

Kellands Agricultural
The recently launched Multidrive SixTrac S9000 from Kellands Agricultural is being demonstrated at Cereals. This six-wheel drive, six-wheel steered self-propelled leviathan comes with a 9000-litre tank capacity and 268hp power plant. The unit on show has a tri-fold 36 aluminium boom.

Kuhn
The Oceanis trailed sprayer from Kuhn is also being put through its paces for the first time at Cereals 2011. Tank size ranges from 4500 to 7700 litres, and boom widths from 24 to 28m. Key features include a suspended axle, hydraulic brakes, suspended boom parallelogram and the Equilibria boom suspension system.

Landquip
Landquip is launching its CV self-propelled sprayer equipped with new tri-fold aluminium 36m boom. A 4000-litre, 225hp CV self-propelled model is fitted with the boom, which, while strong, weighs just 680kg. It is available in 24/30, 24/32 or 24/36m widths.

FarmGEM
Another new boom comes from FarmGEM, whose vertical folding boom is fitted to the FSV mounted model with “Slimline” 1200 or 1500 litre tank capacities. The new nine-section 24m boom is made of high tensile steel for lightness and strength.

Micron Sprayers
Micron Sprayers is showing its latest Varidome band sprayer featuring an electronic controller. This shielded, low-volume inter-row CDA sprayer was specifically designed for row crops and can spray inter-row widths from 200mm to 800mm and bed widths from 1.3m to 2m.

Combines

New Holland
New Holland’s CX5000 and CX6000 range of conventional combines will make their UK public debut at Cereals 2011. The five- and six-walker machines are aimed at farms of 200 to 600ha. The CX6090 is the biggest, powered by an SCR-equipped FPT Cursor 9-litre engine developing 333hp. It has a 9300-litre grain tank capacity; maximum header width is 7.3m. All models get a new cab with CommandGrip and IntelliView screen.

Massey Ferguson
A new concept in combine harvester automatic levelling is being introduced on Massey Ferguson’s new 7360 and MF 7370 Beta ParaLevel models. The system compensates for slopes up to 20% using a parallelogram linkage connecting the front wheel hubs to the chassis. In transport mode, the combine lowers and narrows the track width and is capable of a top road speed of 25km/hr. In working mode the system raises and lowers automatically with a wider track. The combines also feature new engines with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), and a new electronic control and operating terminal.

Cultivators and drills

Amazone
Amazone is launching its new Generation 2011 sowing technology, which sees a new RDS (roller drill system) featuring on its revamped D9, AD, AD-P and Cirrus drills. The system uses a wedge ring to consolidate soil ahead of the coulter to provide the seed with water via capillary action. RoTeC Control high-pressure coulters sow seed into the smooth groove left by this reconsolidated strip, followed by the Exact or Roller harrow to cover the seed. This allows smooth sowing and optimum seed placement even at high speeds, says the company.

Kuhn
Previously seen only as a prototype, Kuhn’s new CSC 6000 power harrow and drill combination is aimed at larger arable farmers and contractors. This 6m model, which incorporates the HR 6004 DR folding power harrow and Venta pneumatic seeding unit, is fitted with the Seedflex coulter bar, with offset double discs and large diameter press wheels to ensure consistent seeding depth at high speeds on conventionally worked or min-tilled soils.

Claydon
Following the success of its larger Hybrid drills, Claydon is releasing a 3m fixed-width version at Cereals. The Hybrid drill range uses a strip tillage, two-tine technique to create individual drainage for each band of seed and the ideal growing environment for the crop. The Claydon Hybrid’s staggered tine arrangement allows drilling into large quantities of chopped straw.

Vaderstad
Vaderstad is announcing several upgrades to its drill range. Spirit Next, the next generation Spirit model, has a new TriForce cushioned mounting for the coulter aggregate to provide high coulter pressure, good stability and precision on varying soil types and uneven fields. Meanwhile, the Rapid A 400S and all Seed Hawk models get coulter depth adjustment which can be set from the tractor cab.

Teagle
Teagle is demonstrating its latest development in cultivation equipment, the Multidisc Vario with Polymat Compact seeder unit. The Vario disc/tine harrow features a set of variable depth hydraulically retractable winged tines, which can be dropped down between the front and rear rows of scalloped discs where deeper tillage operations are needed.

Pöttinger
A new mounted seed drill featuring Pöttinger’s Dual Disc coulter design makes its Cereals debut. The Vitasem ADD mechanical drill is available in 3 or 4m working widths.

Weaving Machinery
Weaving Machinery will be displaying the Kelly Multi Purpose Harrow said to be ideal for chitting weed seeds and volunteers, and working stubbles and plough. Available in 6m, 9m and 12m widths the Kelly is strongly built – the whole machine, including wearing parts, has a five-year warranty.

Opico
Rubber tyre packers on Opico’s new HE-VA Synchro Roller are said to improved oilseed rape germination and establishment by consolidating the ground and improving moisture flow only to the seeded area. Ground between the rows remains unpressed to limit weed and volunteer growth.

Tractors

Massey Ferguson
Massey Ferguson is introducing its Generation 2 SCR system, now standard on all 8600 models to meet strict new exhaust emission regulations. It provides the best fuel economy by allowing engines to operate at optimum efficiency, says the company – gases are treated after combustion in a separate operation, so there is no need for any extensive engine modifications.

Kubota
The highlight of Kubota’s stand is likely to be its recently introduced flagship M130X tractor. The 130hp model features a four-cylinder engine, electronic fuelling and engine governing as well as Intelli-Shift 16 Speed transmission with eight-speed powershift and auto field/road modes.