Amazone showcased its range of fertiliser spreaders, including the ZA-TS Series, at the SIMA machinery show in Paris last week.
The ZA-TS is ambitiously described by Amazone as “the biggest, most advanced and accurate” mounted spreader available on the market. The original ZA-TS model was first seen almost four years ago.
Packed “full of technology”, Amazone ZA-TS Series spreaders are equipped with the TS spreading system, which includes the integrated Auto-TS boundary spreading system.
These systems are claimed to enable the operator to drive at speeds up to 30kph while, at the same time, maintaining spread accuracy – up to a working width of 54m.
Another key feature of the ZA-TS spreaders is the advent of an electronic weigh cell system that Amazone says “works perfectly even on steep slopes.”
All ZA-TS spreaders are equipped with a 700L, deep-pressed base hopper “without corners, edges and weld seams”.
This design is said to “enable a continuous and even flow of fertiliser and, at the same time, facilitate the easy emptying of any hopper residues and the cleaning of the spreader.
During operation, the fertiliser drops through a double teardrop-shaped hole at the bottom of the hopper. Depending on the application rate, the size of this hole changes. By changing the size, this also changes the position along the vanes on which the fertiliser drops.
For example, at lower rates of application the fertiliser falls on the centre of the disc. As a result, it gets thrown farther by the vane – because it travels along the entire length of the vane. At higher rates of application, when the hole is bigger (because the shutter is open farther), the fertiliser drops at a point away from the centre of the disc – somewhere along the length of the vane. That means each granule doesn’t travel as far.
The boundary spreading control system works by redirecting the fertiliser to shorter vanes, instead of attaching a separate limiter or changing disc speed. In work, each vane’s central section pivots forward by 10º. This causes the flow of fertiliser to be redirected towards shorter fins – effectively reducing the spreading distance.
Either of two headland spread patterns can be selected. In ‘Eco’ mode, the fertiliser is placed 2m short of the boundary. In ‘Normal’ mode, fertiliser goes tight to the field edge.
If needed, the operator can fine-tune the speed of the disc without changing the shutter’s position.
The spreader’s control unit, says Amazone, also allows the driver to switch on and off the spreader’s functions from the seat of the cab.
“This enables a degree of accuracy in its lateral distribution that had not been seen before.”
And as a result, “significantly higher yields” are achieved around the edges of the field, compared with existing boundary spreading systems.
In addition, all ZA-TS spreaders feature ISOBUS control technology.
This, says Amazone, allows the spreaders to be operated with the Amatron 3, CCI 100 and Amapad terminals – or any other ISOBUS terminal.
Mechanically or hydraulically-driven spreaders
Along with ISOBUS and boundary spreading technology, the ZA-TS spreaders are available in either Tronic or Hydro versions.
A mechanical-drive system is used to power the discs on the Tronic version. In contrast, the discs on the Hydro version are hydraulically-driven.
Both versions can also be equipped with GPS-Switch, an automated part-width section control system, and a roll-up cover, with manual and remote opening options available.
Here in Ireland, Amazone ZA-TS spreaders are available from Farmhand and are available in 3,200L and 4,200L sizes.
