Abbey Machinery has just taken the wraps off a new smart tanker. The 3,500-gallon recess tandem-axle smart tanker comes with a near-infra-red (NIR) sensor, Isobus-compatible Application Rate Technology, which includes a flow meter, a sense gate valve, an automatically operated electric actuator and a GPS speed sensor.

The new onboard NIR technology actively measures the nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and dry matter in the slurry. This allows the operator to apply the exact rate of nutrients where and when they are needed, increasing sustainability and in some cases aiding to a reduction in artificial fertiliser inputs.

The Isobus solution, while actively controlling the tanker and Application Rate Technology, allows the distributor head to be sequenced electronically to operate within a group of functions. This smart tanker also includes a load-sensing electro-hydraulic valve bank, water-cooled vacuum pump and additional technologies for precision slurry application.

New LESS equipment

The firm also recently introduced a new 10.5m dribble bar and a new 10.5m trailing shoe to its low-emission application offering. The 10.5m dribble bar is carried on the tanker chassis, independent of the back door. It is equipped with a Vogelsang distributor with 40 outlet pipes placing the slurry on the ground in rows at 250mm spacings. The unit weighs 615kg.

Abbey says its lightweight, fully galvanised applicator’s key features are its strength and design. The extended boom tips are hydraulic-folding, which add the benefit of a break-back system should the booms come in contact with an obstacle. The 1.25m folding tips are designed to incline inward, helping to create a compact machine for transport. The retail price is €17,718 plus VAT.

Abbey is also introducing a 10.5m trailing shoe, to complement its existing 6m and 7m systems. The new 10.5m trailing shoe is fitted with a Vogelsang macerator, distributing the slurry over each of its outlets at 250mm spacings. All outlet pipes are fitted with steel wear points and rubber outlets feeding slurry.

These are independently sprung to ensure consistent soil contact. The machine folds into a neat transportable solution on the tanker. The Tipperary firm says this 10.5m trailing shoe is at the final stages of development and will be introduced to the market later this year.