Mechanisation demo at Weston

Two MF dealers and two local manufacturers used the occasion of the ploughing competition at Weston Agricultural College to demonstrate tractors and implements.

Mechanisation demo at Weston
- Advertisement -

Massey Ferguson dealers FMS (Pietermaritzburg) and Drakensberg Agricultural Services (Winterton) put on an impressive display at Weston. They were supported by Radium Engineering with a sampling of tillage equipment and feed mixers, and Theebo Tech, which showed the Equalizer planter. (See FW, 20 March, for a report on the ploughing competition itself.)

1. RK 3802 single rotor rake
The Fella RK 3802, now rebranded as the MF 3802, was hitched to one of the new Global series MF 4708 tractors and put through its paces by Larry Martens from FMS. The rake has a working width of 3,6m, which can be reduced to 1,7m for transport. It forms neat swathes, even in heavy crops, and the adjustable cam track and swathe former enable the swathe to be matched to the baler or forager.

 

- Advertisement -

2. MF 9800 series 12-row planter
This planter has a massive frame that folds forward for easy transportation on the road. The pneumatic system provides excellent singulation and seed placement, and can be configured in row widths ranging from 750mm to 900mm. The ALR3002 Aulari precision pneumatic fertiliser applicator bin has a 3 500kg capacity.

3. MF 326 seed planter
The MF 326 plants 26 rows at 170mm spacing. Seed is metered from the large capacity hopper by means of a helical roller. The 410mm double disc openers have depth-limiting rims and are followed by rubber press wheels that close the seed area efficiently. An optional feature is the end-on towing hitch for easy and safe towing on the road. Working width is 4,25m, seed capacity is 850kg, and fertiliser capacity is 1 265kg.


4. MF 711 pneumatic planter

The MF 711 plants six rows at 900mm spacing. Seed hopper capacity is 72l and fertiliser capacity 2 720kg. Large 500mm-diameter tillage coulters cut through the toughest residues and can handle moist soil. The parallel linkage maintains a consistent cutting action, resulting in evenly distributed seedbed moisture. An air-seed metering system provides a precise flow of seed and optimal placement for high levels of germination.


5. Schulte FX1800 flex-wing rotary cutter
The Schulte FX1800 rotary cutter, imported from Canada by Radium, is seen here cutting a 4,5m swathe behind an MF 470 tractor. The folding wing design enables the machine to follow undulating terrain.


6. MF 7614 with McHale 5500 baler
The 97kW MF 7614 handled the McHale 5500 baler with ease. The baler is fitted with an additive injection system and produces neat, high-density, net-wrapped bales.


7. Radium ZoneTill RTS104
The design of the Radium ZoneTill or strip tiller, matched to the planter rows, is simple and robust. The spring trip assembly and unique C-shaped shank with hammerhead share is designed to disturb the maximum amount of soil in the root zone with minimum power. Fitted with coulters, row closers and rollers, the unit can work through heavy stubble and crop residue without problems. Further tillage operations such as disc harrowing are unnecessary in most instances and the rear rollers can break up clods brought to the surface in dry soil.


8. MF Hesston WR9760 Windrower with 106 Razor bar header

Jason Bradley of Nelaway Contractors used the occasion to demonstrate the MF Hesston windrower. Fitted with the 5m wide razor bar header, it produced an impressive windrow and confirmed that this is the way ahead for major forage operations. The MF Hesston windrower will be the subject of a full report in the near future.