Based just outside of the town Ballyragget in Co Kilkenny, Larry O’Reilly runs a large tillage enterprise based on minimal cultivation. The decision was made to invest in a new spreader last season. Larry said: “I needed to upgrade to a machine that would allow greater accuracy and control with boundary spreading.”

Looking at the options out there and after a demo, the decision was made to go with Rauch, said Larry.

On the farm, they also needed a machine that could handle spreading lime. The Axent is offered with a Lime-Powerpack unit as an optional extra. Larry decided to add this machine also; it essentially eliminated the need for separate lime and fertiliser spreaders on the farm.

The farm works off 30m tramlines and the challenge with any wide working width is the quality of the fertiliser. For this reason, Larry and his son James stayed away from conventional blended fertiliser due to quality issues and moved towards straight phosphorous, potash and nitrogen.

Regardless of the type of machine, they believe that this is the only safe option to ensure accurate application and a low co-efficient of variation. The farm uses a lot of ASN fertiliser, and after several tray tests they are very happy with the results over a 30m working width.

Larry is in favour of the wide working widths, as they result in less wheeling damage to the field and the crops. Larry said attention to detail is vital to maximising the yield potential on the farm.

Spreading mechanism

Unlike many bulk fertiliser spreaders, the Axent is designed with a main bulk storage hopper, and rear-mounted fertiliser pack. The fertiliser flows from the hopper via a hydraulic belt drive into the customised Axis-PowerPack spreading unit.

The V-shaped hopper channels the fertiliser down to the belt running along the bottom. The cleaning flap on the front area makes for easy cleaning. The flow rate is determined by the application rate set by the operator.

All of the drives are hydraulic on the machine. The Axent’s rear spreading unit uses EMC technology developed by Rauch.

How does it work? In contrast to weighing with weigh cells used in classic weighing spreaders, Axis EMC controls the fertiliser flow separately for both metering shutters on each side of the machine. The drive torque of the spreading discs is proportional to the fertiliser flow rate at the metering slide.

In previous EMC fertiliser spreaders, the drive torque of the spreading discs was still determined by oil pressure sensors and rev counters. The generation of EMC controls works with contact-free sensors fitted at both spreading disc drive shafts.

Rauch uses magnetostriction speed measurement modules which have been used on Segway personal transporters. The simple functional principle is that the magnetic field of the spreading disc drive shafts changes under load.

The change of the magnetic field is measured in a contact-free manner and converted into a torque signal. The known torque is required to keep the flow rate constant. The flow rate of fertiliser is measured every two seconds, with a 1% variation in output, according to Rauch.

If the spreader sends a signal back to the control box that the flow rate has changed, it can automatically open or close the shutter as required to have the correct torque measurement to keep the flow rate the same.

Technology

Larry uses full GPS and dynamic sectional VariSpread control on the machine, controlling both the rate and the spreading width when required. They have not moved to variable rate application just yet.

The machine is fully ISOBUS and integrated on to the Fendt 939. It sounds like a massive combination, yet James said it is quite nimble and works well as a unit in the field.

Axent attachment packs

This technology makes the Axent the dual-purpose machine. According to Rauch, in 10 minutes and three steps the unit can be changed:

  • Lift the spreading unit and the pallet with one forklift and attach it to the upper catch hook.
  • Insert the lower bolt of the spreading unit into the elongated hole of the quick-release system and remember tighten it.
  • Connect the electric and hydraulic lines with the Axent.
  • The Lime-PowerPack has a spreading width of up to 18m, according to the manufacturer. Larry uses the machine at 15m for spreading lime. He is extremely happy with the results at that working width. “Spreading lime using the machine takes away the variability of coverage often associated with this job.”

    The conveyor belt meters the lime directly on to the spinning discs, and the shutter on the machine allows for one side to be switched off if required. As standard, there is a hydraulically driven agitator and the speed is dependent on the lime application rate. The belt speed regulates the flow and application rate for the unit.

    Independent hydraulics

    The machine uses its own independent hydraulic system. The PTO-driven axial piston pump provides the power to function the rubber belt drive, pre-dosing slides, AXIS-PowerPack or Lime-PowerPack, depending on which pack is fitted.

    The unit has its cooling system and the viscous fan runs as required. The hydraulic-driven agitator rotates at 50rpm during work. Rauch says this guarantees uniform feeding of the spreading discs with spreading material.

    The result is an improved spreading pattern on the field, according to Rauch technical specialist Connor O’Donovan. The spreader can come with an optional steering axle. A foldable ladder and drawbar suspension come as standard on the Axent.

    Controls

    Larry is using the ISOBUS control through the Fendt tractor. The CCI 100 controller is clear and concise according to the operator on the farm.

    The unit can switch between the Axent and spreading mechanism operating screens. This allows the drive to look at what happening from the hopper discharge into the spreading unit.

    It also features a fast-emptying setting when changing over fertiliser or finishing off at the end. The unit collects data from the weigh cells on the machine also to record the quantity of fertiliser loaded and spread for documentation purposes only. The function keys are located along the side of the control terminal. All machine adjustment for rate and settings for lime and fertiliser application are carried out using the same terminal.

    Verdict

    “The machine has performed excellent for us and we are very happy with it,” said Larry.

    “We need more accuracy in the field and we feel we have achieved it with this machine. Our overlapping at headlands and throwing fertiliser across the neighbouring road has been reduced.

    “It’s not a cheap machine to invest, and the fact that we can use it for lime too, helps to get more work from the investment.

  • Dynamic section control in eight sections.
  • Optional Lime-PowerPack available to spread lime.
  • Independent hydraulics.
  • Suspended drawbar.
  • All hydraulic drive.
  • EMC spreading technology.
  • Full ISOBUS control.
  • List price €105,000 plus VAT (including Lime-Powerpack at €15,000 approx).