Machinery and Equipment: 17,000 litres per minute slurry pump on way from Hi-Spec
The HS385 is designed to meet the needs of contractors and larger livestock farmers.
Unlike the existing lower capacity, three-point mounted HS450 pump, the new HS385 is a completely new design that is two-point lower linkage mounted and is hydraulically raised and lowered into the tank.
The design of the new slurry pump is based around a heavy duty support frame and incorporates a safety platform to fully cover the tank when lowered in the working position.
The design is such that unlike some two-point pumps, even when raising and lowering the HS385, there is no need to remove the PTO shaft.
Designed for use with tractors of at least 110hp, the HS385 has an output of 17,000 litres per minute. This output capacity makes it ideal for use in larger stores and tanks.
The pump is fully galvanised as standard, and fitted with a quick-change top fill outlet.
The spout is quickly and easily adjusted and operated over a wide arc for thorough agitation and mixing.
As an option, the HS385 can also be specified with a hydraulic extension function that allows the working depth to be quickly and easily set from the tractor seat.
Krone small rakes get a lift
All Krone single-rotor rakes built this year will feature the Krone lift tines as standard specification.
The speciality of these tines is their angled end, which allow the vertical tine to lift the material whilst raking it up.
This design lessens soil contamination, which improves the quality of the harvested forage.
The DLG Focus Test 6244 compared Krone rakes with and without lift tines.
The lift tines scored on the following details: operating at the same ground speed and work depth, the angled tine points produced even fewer losses, and allowed operators to increase the work rate by 2km/h, without resulting in higher losses.
The lift tines were set to a 1cm higher ground clearance and yet were operated at the same ground speed without higher losses. As a result, contamination was reduced.
Krone offers single-rotor rakes at work widths of 3.5m to 4.6m.
The maintenance-free rotor gearboxes with robust and lubrication-free cam track Duramax come with a three-year guarantee.
In addition, the tine arms have ball bearings and are thus maintenance-free (no lubrication).
The machines have thick-walled arms and tines of up to 10.5mm, as well as large-diameter coils which Krone hope will give the rakes longevity, flexibility and strength.
Zetor launch in spring 2017
The first of the new-look Zetor tractors manufactured in the new body styling devised by Italian car designers Pininfarina, will launch on the Irish market next Spring.
However, the particular models and the sequence of their arrival here has yet to be determined, according to John O’Brien, sales director for their distributor, McHale Plant Sales of Birdhill and Rathcoole.
First announced at the recent Agritechnica exhibition, a prototype of the new Zetor by Pininfarina was presented to Zetor importers at a recent conference to celebrate 70 years of Zetor, at the company’s headquarters in the Czech Republic.
Commenting, O’Brien said: “When Zetor teamed up with leading designers Pininfarina, we were certain that something exciting would emerge. The model shown to us was big, powerful, and oozed eye-appeal.
“When it arrives here, we expect it will be one of the most stylish tractors on the market – farmers are going to love it, our dealers are going to love it.”
McCormick range expanded
A wider choice of equipment and features has been introduced on McCormick’s X7 Pro Drive tractors, with the launch of new Efficient models to complement the current full-specification Premium machines.
The tractors come with gear pump hydraulics and a new front axle suspension design on four-cylinder models, mechanical spool valves, a lighting package and a side-mounted console housing all the major controls.
Lower prices will reflect the different equipment levels.
The new Efficient specification caters for operators who prefer simpler equipment, and creates a new price point for the four-cylinder and selected six-cylinder models across the X7 range.
While there are changes to the hydraulics, front axle suspension, lighting and cab interior, the Efficient models still feature the same Pro Drive transmission as the current tractors, with smooth, adjustable power shuttle and push-button four-speed powershift and range shifting.
The transmission is controlled — as on Premium spec tractors — by a comfortable fixed joystick carrying a roller switch to lift and lower the three-point hitchm, and buttons for the powershift and engine speed memory functions.
But the controller is mounted on a new side console rather than on the seat, along with three mechanical spool valve levers angled conveniently towards the driver for easy operation.
An electric fourth valve is available as an option, operated by buttons on the multi-function controller, and optional electronic mid-valves come with a small joystick on the console for operating front-mounted implements or a McCormick MPower loader.
The console also houses colour-coded dials for setting up the electronic rear hitch.
There are safety flick switches for engaging and disengaging the rear PTO (and the front PTO where fitted) and levers for selecting PTO speeds, and the creep gearbox where installed.
The Premiere cab is fitted with manual air conditioning, cool box, air suspension seat and ‘hide away’ passenger seat
Four-cylinder McCormick X7 Pro Drive Efficient tractors with 143hp, 160hp and 166/175hp BetaPower engines have gear pump hydraulics as standard, delivering up to 88-litre/min.
But, for more demanding applications, they can be upgraded to a piston pump system ( standard on six-cylinder Efficient models) with up to 123-litres/min output and a separate 44-litre/min pump dedicated to steering and auxiliary systems.
Lift capacity of the rear linkage is 6300kg (upgradable to 9300kg with the 100mm lift cylinder option) and a 3500kg front hitch is available, with or without PTO.
Also up front is a new beam axle front suspension system for the Efficient models that enhances ride comfort, especially in partnership with the optional hydraulic cab suspension, and can also improve heavy draft traction over a rough field surface.
