Spreader makers touting their latest wares at Lamma included Joskin with its Tornado muckspreader, a modestly sized Bunning Farmstar model. and Slurrykat’s new Duo dribble bar.

Bunning Farmstar HBD spreader

Norfolk-based muckspreader specialist GT Bunning and Sons has added a modestly sized 8cu m model to its Farmstar HBD spinning disc range.

The machine should appeal to small farms that are looking for a wider spread pattern than is possible with a vertical beater machine, particularly with materials such as chicken manure, gypsum and composts, as well as general farmyard manure.

It uses the same body and floor construction as Bunning’s TVA models, but uses a new layout of horizontal beater and spinning disc (HBD) to match the spreading patterns of larger machines in the range. 

Bunning points out that the spec includes heat-treated boron beater flighting and reversible boron beater blades, plus heavy-duty beater roller drive chains.

The new model is fitted as standard with a single axle rated to 13t. Greedy boards can increase heaped capacity to 10.2cu m and maximum payload is 8.5 tonnes. 

List price starts at £30,045.

See also: Tips for buying a second-hand tub feeder wagon

BvL compact TMR feeder

A huge 36cu m version of the popular V-Mix mixer wagon designed for use with a compact TMR feeding plan dominated BvL’s Lamma stand.

This feeding method is now fairly common in the UK and involves soaking and pre-mixing the dry components of the ration in water overnight, with the rest of the mix added in the morning before feeding.

It tends to make it easier to integrate dry components of the ration and can lead to yield improvements of 2-litres/cow.

The new V-Mix feeders have a compact auger fitted in place of the standard mixing unit.

These are shorter and wider, and come with extended mixing blades and extra auger blades.

To help avoid rust issues when leaving wet rations in the mixer overnight, the new augers and mixer body are faced with stainless steel, while augers now have seals to avoid water leaking into the auger cone.

The compact versions are available on all BvL’s mixer wagons and prices start at £20,000.

The firm has also launched a new app that allows farmers to view live information about the ration.

It is linked to weigh cells on the wagon and, as the food is assembled, the weights of each addition are recorded and uploaded.

There are also details on mixing accuracy, along with time taken and rotor speed, while feeding groups can be set up for different animals.

The V-Dairy TMR app is available on both Apple and Android and can be viewed from multiple devices.

Joskin Tornado3

Joskin pulled the wraps off an updated version of its Tornado muckspreader, which it claims is one of the top-selling models in the world, having been in production for more than 20 years.

The concept of the Tornado spreader stays the same, with a lowered narrow body sitting between large diameter wheels.

Capacities range from 8.6cu m to 25.8 cu m and the low design sees body heights reach a maximum of 1.57m.

Upgrades to the latest models include drawbar suspension and the old leaf springs replaced by two air shocks either side of the axle.

Joskin says this keeps the spreader more stable on uneven ground.

The vertical beater units are still an option, but for those wanting spinning discs, the design has been updated to that of the larger model – FertiSpace 2.

The discs are now 1,040mm diameter to help crumble bulky material before spreading for better accuracy.

SlurryKat Duo dribble bar

A new range of dribble bars was launched on the SlurryKat stand and the company was keen to highlight their superior accuracy compared with splash plates.

There are two new widths – 10m and 12m – that can be mounted to a tanker or used on an existing umbilical system.

Both units now have a lower frame height to help rear visibility and are capable of carrying a Bak Pak reeler with 5in hose.

They use Vogelsang-sourced macerators with stone traps, and there’s a twin macerator option for the 12m bar, which may be helpful when working on slopes.

The dribble bar arms fold vertically, with the outside section pivoting backwards to keep transport height to a minimum.

The two models have been in intense testing over the past year with the company’s in-house contracting division.

JCB loaders

Crowds were drawn to the JCB stand to catch a glimpse of Fastrac Two, the world’s fastest tractor, but there were a number of other yellow-liveried launches more relevant to farmers.

For starters, the firm was showing a new livestock friendly 532-60 compact telescopic Loadall.

It slots in at the base of the Agri Loadall range and comes with JCB’s Command Plus cab launched at the show last year.

The engine is a 4.4-litre four-cylinder JCB EcoMax offering 109hp, while the hydraulic flow is taken care of by a piston pump with 140 litres/min on tap.

Even though it’s one of the smallest telehandlers in the range, it still offers a 3,200kg max lift and a full reach of 6.2m.

Buyers can opt for 20in tyres to reduce the height of the machine for low buildings or 24in versions for better traction.

At the larger end of the loading range, the firm’s two wheeled shovels – 419S and 435S have been given extra power and torque thanks to some new power features.

The 419S has a ‘default’ power setting which sends out 144hp and 660Nm, but when dynamic mode is engaged, this jumps to 195hp – a 6.5% increase on the old engine. Torque is also upped by 5% to 881Nm.

Lastly, JCB’s 4000 series Fastracs have been given heavier duty JCB axles with a 33% higher load rating, larger hub, bearings and external disc brakes alongside a larger front diff with positive locking rather than a limited slip setup.

Fendt Cargo telehandler

Following its debut at Agritechnica, Fendt was proudly showing its first telehandler to UK farmers.

The handlers are built by German construction giant Sennebogen, and the model on show is the firm’s 355e model.

One of its stand-out features is a height-adjustable cab, which means operators can peer into a lorry trailer or get a better view when bedding cattle. 

It can be hoisted to 4.25m at full height and unlike other handlers, there is a full-length glass window at the front and no dashboard to obstruct views when in the air.

The machine slots into a popular area of the 3,600unit/year telehandler market, with the T955 – the only model currently available – offering a 5.5t lift and an 8.5m reach.

Power comes from a 4.5-litre four-cylinder FPT engine, but this will change to a Cummins six-potter by the time it’s on sale later this year. Hydraulic output is stated at 200 litres/min.

Also on the stand was the joystick-controlled Ideal 10 combine and the new Fendt One cabs destined for 300 and 700 series tractors.

Tramspread contractor trailer

Contractors in the market for a one-stop slurry trailer took plenty of interest in Tramspread’s latest remote-controlled trailer unit.

On board there’s a 4,000-litre/min compressor, 2,000m of hose reel and a 900-litre fuel tank.

A Bauer SX2000 slurry pump is controlled by the 170hp engine via a SIL Vison remote control unit.

Flow and pressure can be monitored on the colour display, and the compressor and divert valve are also controlled remotely.