ZA-V ticks all the boxes

Farmhand, the exclusive Amazone distributor, says that its success is no surprise. “Irish farmers want a spreader that is accurate, easy to set, easy to clean and easy on fertiliser. The ZA-V ticks all of these boxes,” exclaimed marketing director Stephen Scrivener.

Accurate spread pattern

One grassman who is going into his second season with a Z-AV is Brian Powell from Tipperary. “We are dairy farmers and try to grow as much grass as possible. Fertiliser and fertiliser accuracy is of major importance to us,” said Brian. Thanks to the V-Set vanes on the ZA-V, the overlap spread pattern is forgiving while still being efficient. Each disc has a short and long vane which allows for an even spread in the middle and edge of the field.

ZAV disc.

Soft ballistic system (SBS)

The spiral star agitation system on the ZA-V spins at a slow 45RPM which makes it very easy on fertiliser. Instead of other systems that push the fertiliser, around the shutter the star pushes material downwards with enough force to maintain a consistent flow but slow enough not to break up the fertiliser.

ZAV soft ballistic system.

Ease of use

“The reason we chose an Amazone is because of its ease of operating controls, electronically controlled from the cab from a panel allowing you to turn on left or right and adjust the amount of fertiliser spread easily, even on the move,” said Brian. As well as this, Brian’s ZA-V is hydraulically driven which means each disc speed can be controlled individually. This improves accuracy.

One-piece hopper

The Z-AV hopper is pressed out of one piece of sheet steel which means there are no corners or welds for fertiliser to gather and it makes it exceptionally strong. This is something Brian really appreciates. “It also only has one break in the hopper compared to others which have a few breaks. This makes it easier to wash out and there are less problems with rust,” said Brian.

Electric limiter – no fertiliser in the ditch

The Limiter V+ has several settings aimed at ensuring as little fertiliser as possible is wasted in the headlands and ditches. The system on Brian’s ZA-V allows for variable adjustments from 0-% to 100% or preset modes all from the comfort of the cab.

ZAV Electric Limiter

Ease of a hydraulic folding cover

Like many Amazone spreaders, the ZA-V has a high-quality roller tarpaulin cover. This rolls away and is taut, so water doesn’t pool in it. Brian chose to spec a hydraulic version .“The hydraulic cover makes it easier to open as it is so tall, it would be very hard to get up on it if it didn’t have it on it but there are ladders either side too,” he said.

Weigh cells and speed

The ZA-V takes a lot of the guesswork out of spreading. Brian said: “If you want to change the speed you’re travelling at, it controls the amount of fertiliser going out at the time so you can speed up and slow down and the same amount of fertiliser per hectare is going out.”

The speed reading from the tractor combined with the weigh cells that are constantly calibrating means you can put out exactly what is needed and you won’t run out with acres left to spread.

“With the weigh cells on this machine and the control panel inside the tractor, we’re able to measure how much fertiliser each individual paddock gets and at the end of the year we’re able to tell what paddocks got what fertiliser.”

Farmers say they don’t want a high-tech spreader. Is the ZA-V for you?

“Originally, we were reluctant to buy a spreader with weigh cells because of the cost, but having had it for the last season, we have seen the major benefits of having it back to the amount of fertiliser we spread in each individual paddock and we think that it has paid for itself, especially with the cost of fertiliser going up,” Brian said.

“We would never go back,” said Brian