Despite the ongoing component shortages and supply chain issues, Kverneland has recorded a 16% increase in sales up to May of this year, up from €564m in 2021.

Strengthening this is the fact that 2021 sales figures were up 14% on 2020. The group’s executive vice-president of sales and marketing Arild Gjerde also highlighted that order intake was up 8% on 2021 for the first five months of this year.

In total, the Kverneland Group, which employs over 2,620 staff witnessed total sales of (including Great Plains) of €1,040m in 2021.

Last week, Kverneland unveiled a selection of new and updated machines under the scorching summer sun at a field event near Ravenna in Italy’s northeast.

8.75m butterfly mowers

New to the mounted mower range is the heavy duty 5387 MT rear mower combination. With a working width of 8.75m, it comes as a welcome addition to the range, sitting below the current flagship 53100 MT which offers an adjustable cutting width from 9.8m to 10.2m.

Based on the 5300 combination mower series, the 5387 MT has been designed to appeal to customers requiring a slightly more basic and compact solution compared to the 5387 MT at a more competitive price yet retaining its key features.

These include Kverneland’s QuattroLink or race car suspension as it is otherwise known. This four-arm concept adapts really well to the contours of the ground. The mowers have a vertical working range of 400mm upwards and 300mm downwards and a transverse adaptation range of 30°. The unit has a 100% NonStop BreakAway system that offers protection across the full working width of the mower.

Underneath the canopy of each is a 3.2m eight-disc bed and SemiSwing steel tines with dual adjustment of the conditioner plates as standard. Given the smaller working width, the power requirement is also reduced, with 180hp described by the manufacturer as a good starting point. The standard manual controls can be upgraded to the Dual Lift Control joystick.

The 5387 MT is also available in a BX belt merger version which is powered via the tractor’s open centre hydraulics and controlled using the pre-selection control box. The BX belts are said to be easily removed in as little as 15 minutes and stored safely thanks to their transport rollers. The outer FlexProtect guards fold hydraulically into transport position (optional).

14-rotor trailed tedder

All manufacturers have turned their attention to high-output trailed tedders in recent years.

Kverneland’s latest offering in this category is the 85156 C 14-rotor trailed tedder. This new model trumps the company’s 10-rotor 85140 C model, its current largest offering at 13.3m. Across the 15.6m working width of the 85156 C are 14 small rotors which the manufacturer says provide a generous rotor overlap and so account for good pickup and turning of the crop.

Ground following is where the 85156 C shines thanks to its new TerraFlow system.

The tedder itself is built on a linkage that pivots independent of the chassis in working position.

Kverneland also says all joints have been designed to be maintenance-free with grease points kept to a minimum.

The new 14-rotor trailed tedder offers a 15.6m working width.

All that’s required for operation is one single-acting and one double-acting spool. Hydraulic height adjustment and a hydraulic swath board is optional.

ROC RT 880

The ROC merger range was showcased for the first time at a press event since the Kverneland Group’s 80% acquisition of the Italian company. The Italian firm current manufactures 11 models ranging from 3m to 12m in working width with varying levels of specification.

The ROC RT 880 8.85m merger is one of the eleven models available.

On display and working was the RT 880 model offering 8.85m wide working width. It is equipped with a six tine bar pickup and 1m deep belt. ROC claims that its coaster wheels hydraulic suspension system provides it with unmatched ground following characteristics. It is also fitted with suspension for transport purposes.

The ROC merger range in time will be available through the Kverneland Group dealer network.

Spot spraying technology for iXtrack T4

As rules and regulations surrounding crop care become more stringent, machinery manufacturers continue to design and develop more sustainable solutions. One such machine showcased was the iXtrack T4 trailed sprayer.

The standout feature with the latest T4 is its individual nozzle shut-off on its HSS 24/36m boom. As standard a 50cm nozzle spacing is offered with the option of halving this to 25cm if required.

The 25cm nozzle spacing improves drift reduction, as it is possible to spray closer to the target area at 30cm spray height, by keeping an accurate distribution of spray liquid at the correct level with the correct droplet size.

The iXtrack T4 sprayer with individual nozzle shut off is capable of spot spraying technology based on predefined prescription maps.

Easy switching from 50cm to 25cm nozzle distance means more flexibility during spraying and it creates more time to spray in optimal conditions.

Spraying at such low heights requires stable booms. Taking care of this is Boom Guide ProActive. Essentially, ultrasonic sensors control the sprayer hydraulics, providing perfect boom guidance regardless of the field or terrain.

Hybrid mode not only measures the distance to the plant, it also measures the distance to the soil. Especially when the crop is uneven, a uniform crop is virtually determined.

Recirculation and connectivity

iXflow-E is a high-pressure recirculation system with electric, individual nozzle control. There is a free circulation of spray liquid with a return back to the tank as spraying stops. This means there is no sedimentation in the spray lines and no dead ends for spraying or cleaning, even when the working width is only partially used. During spraying the spray lines are fed from multiple directions, supplying constant pressure to each nozzle, so the operator can immediately start spraying at the set pressure.

iXflow-E makes use of maintenance-free, electric ball valves which are CANbus connected and programmable and Isobus compatible for section control (nozzle by nozzle) or for spot spraying. New functions have been added to the iXclean Pro cleaning system which include turbo agitation and main tank cleaning etc.

Every sprayer now fitted with iXspray software will be equipped to SpotSpray based on prescription maps with zero application rates.

With the updated version of IsoMatch FarmCentre users can create and send prescription maps and spray tasks of fields more easily than before. Variable rate application maps can now be created with a ‘zero’ rate that gives the possibility to use the SpotSpray application in a field in a more precise and easy way. By using the SpotSpray application on the IsoMatch Tellus Pro terminal, there is no need for additional camera systems.

Short disc harrow/cultivator updates

Among updates to Kverneland’s range of cultivation equipment, more options have been added in terms of rear consolidation rollers. The Actipress Single is now available as an alternative to the existing Actipress Twin Roller, especially for mounted cultivators due to its more compact design and weight reduction. The new Soil to Soil (STS) roller features a new ‘U’ profile which is designed to collect soil for reconsolidation. New to the range is an optional finger/levelling tine harrow which according to Kvereland doubles up to aid mechanical weeding that pulls weeds from the soil to dry out on the surface.

The Qualidisc disc harrow has been given a more aggressive disc arrangement and a new consolidation roller option.

The disc arrangement has also been changed on the Qualidisc range of disc harrows. The front row of discs has been moved one pitch to the left and the rear one to the right for improved cutting of the surface.

Trailed Enduro

The Enduro and Enduro Pro range of stubble cultivators has been expanded with the addition of a trailed model offering working widths from 4m to 5m.

Expanding the range to medium-sized farmers with no need for large lifting capacity, the new trailed Enduro T and Enduro Pro T continue to carry out cultivation, levelling and consolidation all in one pass. Kverneland says that the tine distance of 280mm, row distance of 750mm and a high underbeam clearance of 870mm leads to a nice mixing and finishing without any risk of blockages. A maximum working depth of 35cm is possible with the Enduro Pro and 30cm with the Enduro.

The new trailed 4-5m Enduro T and Enduro Pro T cultivator removes the need for tractors with a large lift capacity.

In order to extend the wide choice of following rollers, the Enduro T and Enduro Pro T can also be combined with the new Actipress Single, Actipress Twin and Double Cage Rollers. By adding the new following harrow, an even surface is ensured with fine soil on top, permitting weed emergence.

Two-tine offerings are available which can be equipped with a wide choice of bolted shares (heat-treated or carbide) and Knock-on shares to adapt to different working depths and tasks. For example, in stony conditions and in order to achieve high penetration, the Triflex 700 with the proven Kverneland leaf spring and hollow tine technology offers extra strength with a high point pressure and a release force of 700kg at 27cm release height.

Manual width adjustment ploughs

Following on from the latest generation 2300 S Variomat and 3300 S Variomat hydraulic vari-width ploughs, the manually adjustable stepwise versions have now arrived. These models still benefit from many of the features introduced to the lineup in 2019.

The 2300 S and 3300 S ploughs are now to be offered with manual width adjustment.

These features include new legs which are pre-shaped to limit welding that could weaken plough parts instead of the previous box-iron type leg. They remain hollow to reduce weight and pulling forces as with previous auto-reset legs. The aero-profile design of the legs and the 80cm under-beam clearance improves soil flow in high-residue conditions according to Kverneland.

Protection and adjustments

The leaf springs of the auto-reset can be easily added or removed, depending on the necessary release forces.

This mechanical leg protection system is the same as what is used on the 2500 i-Plough.

The skimmers can be centrally adjusted while working width is changed by moving one bolt on each leg assembly. The right and left working depth can also be adjusted simultaneously, saving time.

Product Application Specialist for the division Markus Brinkopp-Rode said that stepwise suits farmers with mostly consistent soil conditions or with no need to change the working width on the move. Choosing a stepwise adjustable plough is a cost-efficient alternative compared to ploughs with the Variomat system.

IsoMatch Farm Centre

IsoMatch FarmCentre is a wireless telematics solution for machine optimization and fleet management, suitable for all Kverneland and IsoBus machines.

IsoMatch Tellus PRO or IsoMatch Tellus GO+ is the gateway to connect machines to the cloud and consequently, allow a user’s device to control the fleet in real-time, send and receive tasks from the implements, receive alerts and analyse the collected data.

All these features are included in an intuitive web application that works with any smart device laptop, tablet, or phone. IsoMatch FarmCentre also contains an exclusive Agronomic Tools module to integrate external software on demand such as agrirouter or specific FMIS like MyDataPlant.

One of many new functions is that the user will now be able to visualize the key parameters of each implement on this dedicated dashboard.

Parameters include both those corresponding to the implement itself and those of the task controller, allowing the operator to easily evaluate the performance of the implement, either for a specific task or over the life of the machine.

Users can still expect to be able to create maps, send tasks, generate reports, receive alerts and so much more, as with the earlier version, but with the new version it will be even quicker and easier than before. IsoMatch FarmCentre is said to launch this autumn.