Cultivating to incorporate yard manure, compost and solids digestate as it is spread is a new capability for the biggest self-propelled muck machine from Oxbo, the Dutch manufacturer previously called Ploeger.

There are two elements – a robust tow hitch for the cultivator and a spreading mechanism on the Tebbe-built body that trickles muck into the path of the soil-working implement.

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Growers often aim to incorporate separately as soon as possible after muck application to arable fields to preserve nitrogen and minimise neighbour-upsetting smells where fields border villages and towns.

The all-in-one approach gets the job done immediately, points out Oxbo, and eliminates a separate pass with a tractor and cultivator, which is not only beneficial in terms of soil compaction but reduces operating costs, especially for fuel.

Scania power

The AT5105 is the biggest field-application vehicle produced by Oxbo – it packs a 550hp Scania engine driving through a ZF Eccom 5.0 stepless transmission, providing seamless speed changes between zero and 42kph.

Despite its scale, the company claims pretty agile manoeuvrability thanks to a single wheel at the front pivoting through 70deg, and four counter-steering wheels at the back.

All five wheels are powered through Kessler heavy-duty axles and are equipped with 1050/50 R32 tyres all round.

The 25t Tebbe spreading box is geared up with Dual Drive, enabling the speed of the beaters and distribution discs to be adjusted, which influences the distribution width, along with the outlet size for application rates from 1.5t/ha.