Meath-based farm machinery design and manufacturing company Ezy Technology claims to have developed an alternative machine system to the bulk spreader for fertilizer with a new level of flexibility coupled with the accuracy levels of tractor mounted spreaders.

Thomas Carpenter and his sister Deirdre Cogan run Ezy Technology, based in the heart of County Meath at Oakley Park on the road between Kells and Moynalty. This is potato growing country, and Thomas has many years of experience in the potato machinery business through PEL Systems.

The new Ezy Technology company has developed new and separate products including the Ezy Fill fertilizer spreader bogie and a new LAMMA Show award winning Ezy Tipp potato harvesting trailer.

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In recent weeks, the company has confirmed a deal with Vicon in Ireland whereby Vicon dealers will offer a range of fertilizer spreading machines coupled to the Ezy Fill fertilizer bogie as an option for contractors and larger tillage farmers.

The Ezy Fill machine is available with a range of specification options that includes a number of interesting features. The entry level model comes with a 6,500 litre capacity hopper, a rear three point linkage and a pto driveline that allows the capacity of the outfit to rise to over 10 tonnes. Extra capacity is possible with hopper extensions.

The entry level model is a hydraulic drive unit. With this, the driver can transfer the fertilizer from the Ezy Fill machine to the spreader on the rear linkage, according as the fertilizer level in the hopper drops below a certain point. This gives a huge boost in terms of overall capacity per load and allows for higher output in the field.

Once the larger doses are applied earlier in the year, the spreader can be removed from the Ezy Fill unit and put back on the tractor for top dressing, without compromising on accuracy.

The Ezy Fill system is designed to give flexibility with two spreading systems based around a single spreader.

The next level Ezy Fill machine has fully automatic electronic control of the fertilizer flow to the spreader.

The spreader is fitted with a top and bottom level sensor, which detects when the machine is running empty. This sends a signal to the controller to automatically refill the spreader on the move, allowing the driver to concentrate on accurate driving.

Other options include a steering axle on the Ezy Fill unit, which allows it to track the tractor wheels just like some of the trailed sprayers.

And Thomas Carpenter has used a 10 stud axle to carry the load with a ground clearance similar to that of a trailer sprayer. The Ezy Fill machine has been tested for two seasons and the final design was confirmed in 2012.

“My cousin, who farms nearby, used the machine all season long in 2012 and this allowed us to monitor the performance accurately,” said Thomas Carpenter.

“Since then, we have manufactured a number of machines to different specification levels, according to customer demand,” he added.

The Ezy Fill unit uses a stainless steel conveyor system and transfer auger for longer wear life. It is fitted with a suspension drawbar for road stability and a full braking kit.

The entry cost of the machine is €26,000 plus VAT, while the Vicon spreader on the rear costs €9,000 plus VAT.

This is a more cost effective solution compared with a full trailed spreader, many of which cannot achieve the accuracy of the mounted spreaders.