The Potato Day UK event gave key manufacturers and distributors of potato equipment an opportunity to showcase the latest equipment. Matthew Tilt was there to find out the newest cultivation and drilling options for potatoes.
AgVantage
Dewulf importer AgVantage showcased the latest cultivator and cup planter combination at the event. The Certa 40 Integral features an adapted version of the company’s SC 300 Compact cultivator, with an uprated web and rotor shaft.
It’s supported by nine depth wheels, which are controlled by an angle sensor mounted on the rear board to provide automatic depth control.
The planter has a 3.5t bunker, integrated into a superstructure with the planting elements. As an option, growers can specify weigh cells.
Updates have been made to the longstanding CP planting elements for this model, with an adjustable tube to enable different-sized tubers to be planted, and individual hydraulic drive for section control and tramlining.
To control the seeding depth, an opening beam is mounted on a parallelogram. This enables the depth to be easily controlled from the cabin.
This, and all other functions, are Isobus compatible, with Dewulf offering a 12in Topcon touchscreen and joystick if the machine is used with a non-Isobus tractor.
The covering discs measure 410mm and are individually mounted on suspension arms. Each set of discs is connected by a linkage, working across two rows, with adjustable downward pressure.
The Certa 40 Integral is a four-row machine, available with either 75cm or 90cm spacings.
It joins the company’s established planting line-up, which also includes the Structural 30 belt planter, available as a mounted machine, which can plant three rows into a bed as standard.
It’s said to be unique on the market, with automatic depth control via ultrasonic sensors.
It also uses the wave belt concept, which is said to ensure accuracy even on sloping ground. Adding to this, the machine can be specified as a Hill-Master, which maintains the correct fill level on the belt when working on inclines.
Dewulf adds that the machine can reach a top speed of 12kph without sacrificing planting accuracy.
Grimme
The latest Grimme GB 430 belt planter has been adapted for the UK market, with a new hydraulically adjusted axle to bring the overall width down from 3.65m to make it suitable for road transport.
It can be specified to work in conventional ridges, or in separated beds depending on the customer requirements.
The unit can be specified for row widths of between 75cm and 90cm and Grimme states that speeds of up to 10kph are possible. Each of the four rows are hydraulically controlled, with individual planting depths and the possibility of section control.
At the front of the machine, tractors from 80hp can reportedly pull the GB 430, with a minimum oil flow requirement of 50 litres/min. If shaping boards are fitted, to leave the potatoes in ridges, the power requirement increases to 120hp.
As it is a belt planter, the GB 430 can handle seeds of all sizes, and each belt can be independently adjusted to change the spacings between every tuber.
Grimme has also updated its cup planter, with the new Prios 440 designed to work in separated beds.
A new axle has been fitted providing a 30deg steering angle and it is fitted with a 4t hopper for seed. Like the GB 430, individual depth control is standard, with two furrow openers handling two rows each, and one skid per row to monitor the seeding depth.
Section control has been fully integrated, with separate control for both the tubers and the fertiliser – either liquid or granular.
The options list includes guiding plates fitted to each coulter to aid with fertiliser application, as well as a fill sensor on the fertiliser system.
At a recent press event, the company announced a revised range of BF and BFL bedformers, available in one-, two- or three-bed configurations.
To handle the forces placed on the units, the wall thickness has been increased and the connection points reinforced. To work with large tractors, the new three-point hitch is compatible with CAT 3 and CAT 4 lower links.
An uprated version of the hydraulic stone protection system, designated Pro, is also available. Using a hydraulic cylinder, the plough body can now deflect further upwards and will return to work after an obstacle has been hit.
AVR
Belgian manufacturer AVR offers the trailed Ceres 450 four-row planter. The structure has double-parallelogram suspension at the furrow plough for depth control without adjusting the main frame, while running wheels guide the furrow and maintain the correct planting depth.
To suit different conditions, various styles of furrow plough are available for specification, including a heavy-duty version, and a stone release protection system is available as an option.
The Ceres has a high capacity to ensure long working days. When spacing is specified at 75cm, the bunker can hold 3.5t, while 90cm machines have an increased capacity of 4t.
In both cases, a moving bunker floor regulates the flow of seed potatoes automatically, with agitators in place to ensure only one seed potato is presented to each cup.
Various cup sizes are available, with 30-60mm or 40-80mm units making up the standard fitment. As an option, cup sizes of 24-40mm or 28-45mm are also offered.
The design of the planting element is tilted forward and slightly rotated to ensure a minimum drop height and precise placement.
Planting distance can be adjusted from the cabin, with individual hydraulic control of each row. This also enables each row to be stopped and started individually for tramlining and section control.
Automatic functionality is ensured with a full Isobus connection with an in-cab joystick, with section control per row and the ability to place spray tracks. Five work menus display every possible function using clear symbols. The screen can be arranged as desired.
The four planting channels always remain visible in the center of the screen, which means they can always be monitored optimally during planting. You can use the terminal in the Ceres 450 to program automatic operations.
The Proportional Distance Control system also monitors the intake of soil into the ridging hood and can be adjusted to create optimally shaped ridges.
When working on sloping or uneven terrain, sensors can be mounted on the machine to automatically control cultivation depth when the machine is combined with a cultivator.
There is also the option of an anti-erosion kit which creates small indents between the ridges to stop soil from being washed away during heavy rain.
Standen
Between its own manufacturing arm and the Standen Imports brand, Standen offers a comprehensive range of potato and vegetable equipment.
One of the latest additions is the Powavator HS400, which has been updated to be combined with tractors up to 400hp. It features a full-width rotary cultivator at the front, with four bed-forming plough blades at the rear.
Updates include an enhanced gearbox, as well as an increased rotor speed of 330rpm, up from 266rpm, to provide a finer finish and a faster forward speed.
A deeper hull design is said to reduce both tine wear and fuel consumption, and there is a choice of rotavator tines and plough bodies to give the desired finish.
It’s available in one-, two- or three-bed specifications.
The company also offers the SR400 planter; a development of its popular two-row SR200.
It uses a hydraulic sideshift drawbar, enabling it to run in-line or to the right of the tractor when running in destoned beds. It can also be combined with a cultivator for one-pass operations.
New features include a cup design that can be used with larger seed sizes, as well as in-cab control of the hydraulic spacing system, providing greater choice of seed spacings.
At the back of the machine, the rear hood is split and features automatic pressure sensing to form optimal rows even at a high forward speed.
The bunker capacity is 5t, with a 2m filling height for easy operation. At the front, it requires a 150hp tractor and 75 litres/min of oil flow. Row widths from 70cm up to 91cm can be specified.
Options include the ability to apply liquid or granular starter fertiliser, either on the surface, alongside the seed or below it. A new transport axle is also fitted, with hydraulic control to pull it into the tractor width for transport.