As well as making the interesting decision to launch a new plough, Amazone has brought out a number of updates of its more traditional machines ahead of Agritechnica.

The new Cirrus 03 trailed drill replaces the previous Cirrus 02 model and is available in a wide range of models. Fixed 3m, 3.5m and 4m versions are available as well as a folding 6m model, available with a 3,600-litre hopper.

For those looking for a combination grain and fertiliser drill, or one that can under sow another crop, there is also a twin-hopper model which can hold 4,000-litres.

All Cirrus models come with a set of hydraulically adjustable serrated discs up front and there’s a new design of tyre packer at the rear. Developed with Alliance, the Matrix 400/75/ R17.5 tyres allow operators to drive fully loaded on the road and they make the drill easier to pull in the field, too.

Amazone says these are the first radial tyres to have steel inserts in the tread, and because of the higher deflection, each tyre creates consolidation in the rows being drilled so the coulter is always going into a firm part of the seed-bed.

The existing RoTeC+ coulter has been replaced with the RoTeC pro, which boasts a stronger coulter bearing and more precise placement of seed at the bottom of the strip, at higher speeds. Either an Exact harrow completes the combination or a Roller harrow can be used in drier conditions for moisture retention.

Cultivator drills

Already having proved itself in smaller 3m to 4m working widths, the new Cenius TX stubble cultivator range is now available in 6m and 7m variants.

With four rows of what Amazone calls C-Mix tines, a tine spacing of 28cm and a frame height of 80cm, working depth of the Cenius is up to 30cm, depending on the tines chosen.

The TX drawbar has hydraulic lift as standard and there is optional traction control which, when activated, transfers up to 1,500kg of the machine’s weight back onto the rear axle of the tractor when at full working depth.

Tines are available with either a pressure spring breakback device or a traditional shearbolt arrangement depending on those chosen. Levelling discs prepare a level finish ready for a choice of rollers, including Amazone’s wedge ring roller, which controls the depth. In particularly wet conditions when there’s less need for reconsolidation, it’s possible to use the transport wheels to control depth.

Strip-till

Amazone is joining forces with fellow German company Vogelsang to offer customers a strip-till machine that can also be fitted to the VarioTrail 3000.

The Vogelsang XTill has been in development for several years and is already a popular choice for liquid manure application in Germany. Now, Amazone will offer an additional XTill for mineral fertiliser instead and in future it will offer this as an option for the back of the VarioTrail.

Available with 75cm row spacings, the XTill opens up the soil to a depth of 30cm, clears the strip with discs, loosens the top portion of the soil and applies fertiliser before consolidating the top ready for drilling. Narrower row widths are being looked at for crops like oilseed rape, says Amazone.

Self-propelled sprayer

The Pantera self-propelled sprayer, launched in 2011, has already had marked success in the UK, with 15 being sold since being introduced.

The new Pantera 4502 gets a bigger tank capacity of 4,800-litres, a Category IV cab (that prevents dust or droplets getting in) and a new 218hp 6-cylinder Deutz Stage 3b compliant engine.

Other new features include height adjustment, allowing a ground clearance of up to 1.7m and track width adjustment of between 2.4m and 3m, a good option for those practicing controlled traffic farming.

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