Added sophistication and application precision come with a new tech package for Amazone’s dual-purpose ZG-TX trailed lime and fertiliser spreaders.

There is an integrated weighing system for loading to a required weight of material and to help with application rate control, the latter now available for lime.

The ZG-TX complements the manufacturer’s dedicated ZG fertiliser spreaders and gives contractors and farmers a more versatile machine that can be converted relatively quickly to handle mineral fertilisers and liming materials.

This involves removing or swapping various components at the back of the spreader, changing the spinning discs, and removing the hopper grids in the case of lime.

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There are two sizes, the Special with a 6,800-litre or 9,000-litre hopper and the Super with capacities of 9,000 or 11,200 litres.

Both will cast fertilisers across 15-54m, and liming materials up to 16m.

Torque-measuring disc gearboxes enable liming rate control © Amazone

Twin load cells

The new weighing system comprises two load cells between the axle and chassis, and one at the drawbar, with the measurement shown on an isobus display in the tractor cab.

When optional work lights are fitted, they flash to indicate that the loading sequence is close to filling the spreader with a specific quantity of fertiliser or lime, largely to avoid leftovers.

Thanks to its integration with the isobus software, the weighing system also allows easy calibration of the spread rate for both materials.

Once a known quantity has been applied, the weight in the hopper is checked and the calibration factor calculated, with no need to measure the bulk density.

FlowControl automatic spread rate regulation for lime is the other advanced feature. This uses latest-tech gearboxes beneath the spreading discs that measure torque loads – a familiar technique previously confined to fertilisers – enabling the software to maintain the required application rate.

Amazone reckons the system achieves a high degree of application rate accuracy, even with liming materials of varying quality.