Jerry O’Keeffe operates an Amazone ZG-TS 8200 trailed bulk spreader, mainly spreading fertiliser on cereals and grassland in Mullingar Co Westmeath. The 8t Amazone spreader is in its fourth season.
Setup
Jerry runs the Amazone ZG-TS 8200, eight-tonne spreader behind his New Holland T7.270 Blue Power.
The full ISOBUS spreader features both section control and variable-rate spreading technology.
Jerry O'Keeffe, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Being fully hydraulically driven means the spreader depends entirely on the tractors oil flow, eliminating the need for a PTO shaft.
In the cab, the spreader is completely ISOBUS controlled using the New Holland Intelliview IV terminal.
The spreader is linked with the tractor’s Trimble guidance system, which uses an RTX signal.
Jerry's New Holland T7.270 Blue Power and Amazone ZG-TS 8200 spreader.
Jerry is running Amazone’s TS 2 spreading vanes, allowing for spreading distances of 21m-36m.
These vanes are one of three types available, with The TS 3 vanes capable of spreading up to 54m.
He remarked about how easy the spreader is to use as most changes can be made from the cab.
Jerry O'Keeffe explained the benefits of section control spreading.
These include headland management, choosing fertiliser type and the calibration procedure.
The spreader includes a hydraulic cover, making loading easier, and has load-sensing hydraulics.
FertilisterService app
Jerry noted how the Amazone FertiliserService app makes setting up much easier.
Amazone's FertilisterService app guides the operator through spreader setup for best results.
Once the fertiliser being spread is selected on the app, the appropriate settings are then shown on screen and can be input to the spreader’s display screen on the tractor’s control terminal.
Section control
GPS and auto steer allow Jerry to take full advantage of the spreaders section control capabilities.
The spreader uses the GPS map which has the inputted spreading width to determine exact section control shut-off.
Section control works by reducing disc rotation speed as well as reducing fertiliser flow and placement on the disc, in turn reducing the throw of fertiliser.
This combination allows for a perfect spread distribution according to Jerry.
“Amazone’s section control technology seemed to be ahead of the rest when we bought the spreader, this was the main reason for buying.”
He remarked about the savings and evenness in crop yield upon moving to section control.
The ZG-TS is capable of variable-rate spreading although the farm doesn’t compile yield maps due to contractors carrying out some of the work, Jerry said.
Spreading
Fertiliser is mainly bought in bulk from the local merchant (80%) while the remainder is bought in bags (20%).
Covering both cereals and grassland throughout the year, Jerry noted how February is a busy month for spreading on the farm.
Jerry O Keeffe spreading fertiliser in Mullingar CoWestmeath. \ Adrian Leech
After use the spreader is always washed and sprayed with a diesel oil mix as well as greased. The fact no shafts are present leaves very little maintenance according to Jerry.
Overall, Jerry is very impressed with how the spreader has worked over the last number of seasons, never missing a beat.
Jerry O’Keeffe operates an Amazone ZG-TS 8200 trailed bulk spreader, mainly spreading fertiliser on cereals and grassland in Mullingar Co Westmeath. The 8t Amazone spreader is in its fourth season.
Setup
Jerry runs the Amazone ZG-TS 8200, eight-tonne spreader behind his New Holland T7.270 Blue Power.
The full ISOBUS spreader features both section control and variable-rate spreading technology.
Jerry O'Keeffe, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Being fully hydraulically driven means the spreader depends entirely on the tractors oil flow, eliminating the need for a PTO shaft.
In the cab, the spreader is completely ISOBUS controlled using the New Holland Intelliview IV terminal.
The spreader is linked with the tractor’s Trimble guidance system, which uses an RTX signal.
Jerry's New Holland T7.270 Blue Power and Amazone ZG-TS 8200 spreader.
Jerry is running Amazone’s TS 2 spreading vanes, allowing for spreading distances of 21m-36m.
These vanes are one of three types available, with The TS 3 vanes capable of spreading up to 54m.
He remarked about how easy the spreader is to use as most changes can be made from the cab.
Jerry O'Keeffe explained the benefits of section control spreading.
These include headland management, choosing fertiliser type and the calibration procedure.
The spreader includes a hydraulic cover, making loading easier, and has load-sensing hydraulics.
FertilisterService app
Jerry noted how the Amazone FertiliserService app makes setting up much easier.
Amazone's FertilisterService app guides the operator through spreader setup for best results.
Once the fertiliser being spread is selected on the app, the appropriate settings are then shown on screen and can be input to the spreader’s display screen on the tractor’s control terminal.
Section control
GPS and auto steer allow Jerry to take full advantage of the spreaders section control capabilities.
The spreader uses the GPS map which has the inputted spreading width to determine exact section control shut-off.
Section control works by reducing disc rotation speed as well as reducing fertiliser flow and placement on the disc, in turn reducing the throw of fertiliser.
This combination allows for a perfect spread distribution according to Jerry.
“Amazone’s section control technology seemed to be ahead of the rest when we bought the spreader, this was the main reason for buying.”
He remarked about the savings and evenness in crop yield upon moving to section control.
The ZG-TS is capable of variable-rate spreading although the farm doesn’t compile yield maps due to contractors carrying out some of the work, Jerry said.
Spreading
Fertiliser is mainly bought in bulk from the local merchant (80%) while the remainder is bought in bags (20%).
Covering both cereals and grassland throughout the year, Jerry noted how February is a busy month for spreading on the farm.
Jerry O Keeffe spreading fertiliser in Mullingar CoWestmeath. \ Adrian Leech
After use the spreader is always washed and sprayed with a diesel oil mix as well as greased. The fact no shafts are present leaves very little maintenance according to Jerry.
Overall, Jerry is very impressed with how the spreader has worked over the last number of seasons, never missing a beat.
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