Based south of Cork city near the town of Carrigaline, Jason Bryan farms a 250-acre tillage enterprise alongside a small poultry and beef enterprise. As with every tillage farm, fertiliser spreading is an important task to get right so that crops perform optimally. Spreading with modern machinery is more forgiving than traditional methods given the advancements in technology and GPS.
Jasons is fitted with the Rauch Electronic Mass Flow (EMC) system.
Up until last season, Jason had been running an older standard Rauch Axis M machine spreading in the region of 150t annually. Although his spreader never missed a beat over its seven years of use on the farm, the decision was made to upgrade and avail of the TAMS grant when the option to do so was there.
His success with the previous Rauch machine and close proximity to the local dealer, Cork Farm Machinery, influenced his decision.
“I had no reason not to buy a Rauch machine again with the service provided by my old spreader. Apart from a good wash down after use and oiling before parking up, the spreader received little or no attention bar regular greasing.”
So Jason upgraded to the latest Axis M 30.2 machine fitted with Electronic Massflow Control (EMC).
Telimat T25 border spreading kit.
Axis M 30.2 EMC
Not wanting or requiring a spreader fully loaded with technology, Jason felt the Axis M 30.2 EMC was a sweet spot for his work. The Axis M 30.2 has a maximum load capacity of 3,200kg and weighs 335kg empty. Jason opted for the Quantron-A control terminal instead of going down the Isobus route given that his Massey Ferguson 6718 was non-Isobus-ready. He noted that having the control terminal allows for greater flexibility and quick switching between tractors which is often the case when spreading top dressing on potato crops, for example. The spreader is then moved to the Massey Ferguson 7718 on row crop wheels.
As standard the Axis M 30.2 is fitted with the Granusafe system and slow-running agitator (17rpm), stainless steel deflector brackets, hopper cover and LED lights. Jason opted for the hydraulically engaged Telimat T25 border spreading kit and access ladder, which he says is essential for climbing into the spreader once fitted with the large XL 1800 hopper extensions.
“If I was doing it again, I would get the machine with the removable storage wheels, just for handiness of pushing it into a corner of a shed over winter.”
Working on 24m tramlines, Jason spreads all fertiliser at 24m using S4 spreading vanes.
Physical build
The spreader is well designed and strongly built, Jason noted.
“Fertiliser flows well through the hopper and even with the sizeable ridge in the middle both sides empty evenly nine times out of 10 on hills.”
Jason said that the hopper extension leaves the spreader very wide travelling the road, sitting out proud either side of the tractor. Even with the size of the extension, the sight glasses are well positioned for a good view into the hopper while spreading.
Build quality was one of the reasons for buying Rauch again.
“After seven seasons, the old spreader showed no signs of rust or paint issues. Although washing down after use and oiling is the life of a spreader,” said Jason. Washing down is easily done.
“There aren’t many nooks and crannies that are hard to wash or easily missed to be fair. When washing inside the hopper, the shutters can be opened to their maximum for water to run out fast”.
Move to GPS and section control
Jason’s machine is equipped with Rauch’s VariSpread Pro eight-part section control whereby shutter and the drop point of fertiliser is altered to achieve the closing down of each individual section while disc speed remains constant.
Jason decided to equip the spreader with a Trimble GFX 750 terminal and NAV-900 controller and take advantage of the spreader’s section control capabilities. Running SBASS signal, the spreader is set up to automatically turn on/off at the headlands and also automatically engage section control when necessary. Setting up and monitoring spreading is easily done with the Quantron-A terminal thanks to its intuitive display. The spreader can be easily operated without GPS and section control, shutting off each section manually using each of the four buttons on the terminal.
What is EMC?
Electronic Massflow Control (EMC) is Rauch’s answer to measuring the flow rate of fertiliser. The most recent system is based on the principle that the drive torque of each disc is proportional to the flow of fertiliser. This in simple terms means the rate of fertiliser leaving the spreading vanes is measured through the torque in the gearbox. Therefore weigh cells are not necessarily needed but the option is available.
EMC technology controls flow rate on each side of the machine individually. Jason noted that while spreading, shutter position constantly changes on each side of the spreader independently to achieve the set flow rate, all of which can be monitored from the terminal in the cab.
“ I had no need for weigh cells as I’m only spreading my own land for the most part so I know what quantities are to be spread in each field, if I was contract spreading I would have opted for weigh cells to inform the customer of quantities spread.”
Jason does all his spreading at 24m using the S4 spreading vanes.
Verdict
All in all, Jason hasn’t looked back since upgrading to the Axis M 30.2 EMC spreader. Naturally enough, setup time to go spreading takes a short while longer but once up and running, switching between fertiliser is easy.
“I open the app and find the breakdown of what I want to spread, the majority of times it’s there but with less common fertilisers such as some potato compounds I just have to use the most comparable fertiliser. This is an area Rauch could improve on and add more fertilisers.”
With regards to section control, Jason hasn’t really noticed much saving of fertiliser but more even growth within crops. Initially, Jason was somewhat sceptical of the way in which the EMC system worked and could measure the quantities spread using torque readings. But this has been proven with the results, he noted.
“Often times the one fertiliser type can differ physically between batches or suppliers. This is where the EMC system is great at constantly adjusting the flowrate for accurate application. Overall, I am happy with how the machine has performed so far.”
P Likes
Build quality.Section control.Easy setup.O Dislikes
Extensions leave the spreader wider than the tractor. Headland kit needs to be manually adjusted.Specs
Model: Axis M 30.2 EMC.
Hopper capacity: 3,200kg.
Spreading width: 12-42m.
Section control: Eight sections.
Technology: Electronic Massflow and VariSpread Pro.
Spreading vanes: S4 VXR plus (18-28m).
List price: €20,000 plus VAT.
Based south of Cork city near the town of Carrigaline, Jason Bryan farms a 250-acre tillage enterprise alongside a small poultry and beef enterprise. As with every tillage farm, fertiliser spreading is an important task to get right so that crops perform optimally. Spreading with modern machinery is more forgiving than traditional methods given the advancements in technology and GPS.
Jasons is fitted with the Rauch Electronic Mass Flow (EMC) system.
Up until last season, Jason had been running an older standard Rauch Axis M machine spreading in the region of 150t annually. Although his spreader never missed a beat over its seven years of use on the farm, the decision was made to upgrade and avail of the TAMS grant when the option to do so was there.
His success with the previous Rauch machine and close proximity to the local dealer, Cork Farm Machinery, influenced his decision.
“I had no reason not to buy a Rauch machine again with the service provided by my old spreader. Apart from a good wash down after use and oiling before parking up, the spreader received little or no attention bar regular greasing.”
So Jason upgraded to the latest Axis M 30.2 machine fitted with Electronic Massflow Control (EMC).
Telimat T25 border spreading kit.
Axis M 30.2 EMC
Not wanting or requiring a spreader fully loaded with technology, Jason felt the Axis M 30.2 EMC was a sweet spot for his work. The Axis M 30.2 has a maximum load capacity of 3,200kg and weighs 335kg empty. Jason opted for the Quantron-A control terminal instead of going down the Isobus route given that his Massey Ferguson 6718 was non-Isobus-ready. He noted that having the control terminal allows for greater flexibility and quick switching between tractors which is often the case when spreading top dressing on potato crops, for example. The spreader is then moved to the Massey Ferguson 7718 on row crop wheels.
As standard the Axis M 30.2 is fitted with the Granusafe system and slow-running agitator (17rpm), stainless steel deflector brackets, hopper cover and LED lights. Jason opted for the hydraulically engaged Telimat T25 border spreading kit and access ladder, which he says is essential for climbing into the spreader once fitted with the large XL 1800 hopper extensions.
“If I was doing it again, I would get the machine with the removable storage wheels, just for handiness of pushing it into a corner of a shed over winter.”
Working on 24m tramlines, Jason spreads all fertiliser at 24m using S4 spreading vanes.
Physical build
The spreader is well designed and strongly built, Jason noted.
“Fertiliser flows well through the hopper and even with the sizeable ridge in the middle both sides empty evenly nine times out of 10 on hills.”
Jason said that the hopper extension leaves the spreader very wide travelling the road, sitting out proud either side of the tractor. Even with the size of the extension, the sight glasses are well positioned for a good view into the hopper while spreading.
Build quality was one of the reasons for buying Rauch again.
“After seven seasons, the old spreader showed no signs of rust or paint issues. Although washing down after use and oiling is the life of a spreader,” said Jason. Washing down is easily done.
“There aren’t many nooks and crannies that are hard to wash or easily missed to be fair. When washing inside the hopper, the shutters can be opened to their maximum for water to run out fast”.
Move to GPS and section control
Jason’s machine is equipped with Rauch’s VariSpread Pro eight-part section control whereby shutter and the drop point of fertiliser is altered to achieve the closing down of each individual section while disc speed remains constant.
Jason decided to equip the spreader with a Trimble GFX 750 terminal and NAV-900 controller and take advantage of the spreader’s section control capabilities. Running SBASS signal, the spreader is set up to automatically turn on/off at the headlands and also automatically engage section control when necessary. Setting up and monitoring spreading is easily done with the Quantron-A terminal thanks to its intuitive display. The spreader can be easily operated without GPS and section control, shutting off each section manually using each of the four buttons on the terminal.
What is EMC?
Electronic Massflow Control (EMC) is Rauch’s answer to measuring the flow rate of fertiliser. The most recent system is based on the principle that the drive torque of each disc is proportional to the flow of fertiliser. This in simple terms means the rate of fertiliser leaving the spreading vanes is measured through the torque in the gearbox. Therefore weigh cells are not necessarily needed but the option is available.
EMC technology controls flow rate on each side of the machine individually. Jason noted that while spreading, shutter position constantly changes on each side of the spreader independently to achieve the set flow rate, all of which can be monitored from the terminal in the cab.
“ I had no need for weigh cells as I’m only spreading my own land for the most part so I know what quantities are to be spread in each field, if I was contract spreading I would have opted for weigh cells to inform the customer of quantities spread.”
Jason does all his spreading at 24m using the S4 spreading vanes.
Verdict
All in all, Jason hasn’t looked back since upgrading to the Axis M 30.2 EMC spreader. Naturally enough, setup time to go spreading takes a short while longer but once up and running, switching between fertiliser is easy.
“I open the app and find the breakdown of what I want to spread, the majority of times it’s there but with less common fertilisers such as some potato compounds I just have to use the most comparable fertiliser. This is an area Rauch could improve on and add more fertilisers.”
With regards to section control, Jason hasn’t really noticed much saving of fertiliser but more even growth within crops. Initially, Jason was somewhat sceptical of the way in which the EMC system worked and could measure the quantities spread using torque readings. But this has been proven with the results, he noted.
“Often times the one fertiliser type can differ physically between batches or suppliers. This is where the EMC system is great at constantly adjusting the flowrate for accurate application. Overall, I am happy with how the machine has performed so far.”
P Likes
Build quality.Section control.Easy setup.O Dislikes
Extensions leave the spreader wider than the tractor. Headland kit needs to be manually adjusted.Specs
Model: Axis M 30.2 EMC.
Hopper capacity: 3,200kg.
Spreading width: 12-42m.
Section control: Eight sections.
Technology: Electronic Massflow and VariSpread Pro.
Spreading vanes: S4 VXR plus (18-28m).
List price: €20,000 plus VAT.
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