profi PRACTICAL TEST SERIES PART 1 MOUNTED SPRAYERS Specification Part 2 In the field Amazone, Hardi, Vicon, Lemken, Vogel & Noot: Mounted sprayers compared Amazone UF 1201 In the first part of this practical test we concentrate on the design and spec options of five popular mounted sprayers. Next month we ll look at their operation in the field Hardi Master Plus the big names make a range of mounted sprayer models. For this comparison we settled on IAll a popular tank capacity (1,300-1,400-litre) and chose a relatively simple spec 21m width, variable rate application via an in-cab controller and pressure/free return lines for the booms. We steered away from auto boom levelling and GPS-controlled section shut-off, although these may be offered as extras. Here s the line-up: Amazone UF 1201 Hardi Master Plus Lemken Sirius 10 Vicon ixter B 13 Vogel & Noot IS 1480 pro Note: Kverneland sprayers are sold under the Vicon name in the UK. This test was carried out in mainland Europe, hence the KV badging on the Vicon ixter in the pictures. Unit weight is important when choosing a mounted sprayer, and this varied by a fair bit see Data comparison. Tank capacities ranged from 1,320 litres (Hardi, marketed as a 1,200-litre unit) to 1,480 litres (V&N). Machine weight empty reflected this: the Hardi weighed in at 1.20t while V&N s entry tipped the scales at a rather more meaty 1.70t. Putting 1,200 litres of water in the tanks shifts the centre of gravity as well as changing the sprayers mass, with the result that the Amazone and Hardi placed least weight on the rear axle (4.01t-4.08t) while the V&N adds the most (4.90t). To keep the centre of gravity close to the tractor the spray tanks are tall and thin. So the driver s view to the rear suffers. Least obstructive here is V&N s relatively deeptanked IS 1480. The prize for lowest overall height goes to the Hardi, which stands 2.78m tall when parked up; the others all measure just over 3m from ground level to boom top. By contrast, transport width won t be a worry as all five units fold to comfortably inside 3m. Machine attachment varies with the brand. Amazone, Hardi and Vicon use a linkagemounted version of an A-frame, while V&N have conventional fixed brackets on the sprayer. Lemken prefers its own-design QuickConnect system, which gives the user space to attach and disconnect the pto etc before moving the tractor towards or away from the sprayer to auto-lock/unlock the top link. All the removable-frame designs have the same drawbacks the frame does not store on the sprayer and is awkward to Five mounted sprayers, each with 21m wide booms and a 1,300-1,400-litre tank, stack up for comparison. Note that Kverneland machines are branded Vicon in the UK. Lemken Sirius 10 Vicon ixter B 13 Vogel & Noot IS 1480 pro 20
TEST SCORES I How we rate five mounted sprayers Amazone UF 1201 Hardi Master Plus Lemken Sirius 10 Vicon ixter B 13 Vogel & Noot IS 1480 pro Attachment to tractor I Stand/wheels Z/BB Z/G B/BB B/G B/B Linkage frame B B Z BB G Hydraulic/electric line holder B E B BB E Dimensions, weights I Transport width BB Z B B B Transport height Z B Z Z Z Visibility to the rear E Z E Z B Empty weight B BB Z Z E Distance from tractor rear axle B B Z Z E Pump/inductor hopper I Tank fill rate BB E B B Z Hopper opening/volume BB Z B Z BB Hopper suction rate B E BB BB Z Boom I Height adjustment range B Z B B B Tilt correction range B E BB BB E Fold/unfold time BB Z B BB BB Ratings: BB = very good; B = good; Z = average; E = below average; EE = poor; G = not available fit to the tractor. Of these, the versions from Vicon and Hardi work the best when picking up the sprayer; when disconnecting, it s advisable to sit the Hardi on a pallet if the pto is left coupled, or the frame will contact the shaft. The Amazone is most sensitive to misalignment between tractor and machine. Lemken s QuickConnect arrangement isn t foolproof. Though it does allow much more room to work, the operator must make a good guess at top link length to avoid readjustment, and set the lower link spacing spot-on. You ll have to leave the cab anyway to lock and release the lift arm couplers, assuming that their original cables have disappeared. Talking of space between the tractor and sprayer, Hardi mounts the boom section valves on the front of the tank. This doesn t help access, although long hoses are The way the sprayer mounts on the tractor decides how much room is available for connecting the pto and electrics. Photos: ST, HW. Text: HW. provided so these can be connected before the tractor is backed up. By contrast the Amazone and V&N sprayers have an extra 200mm clearance in the same area. When it s time to take the sprayers off, proceed with caution the stands on some machines are better than others, and if you forget to move them into the right place the sprayer will fall over. Only Hardi uses fixed stands; these are positioned so the machine won t topple as it s taken off, but without the optional wheels the Master Plus can t readily be moved around on a flat floor. Vicon doesn t yet offer a wheel option. We used the same New Holland 7740 tractor with all the tested sprayers. Required pto length varied between 0.95m on the Hardi and just 0.55m for the V&N, though this will be 0.65m in future. Hardi fits a diaphragm pump, the rest use pistons. Hardi and V&N fit own-brand units, Amazone goes for a Comet while Vicon and Lemken opt for Altek. We used the maker s standard suction hose when checking tank fill rate: fastest was the Amazone up at 250 litres/min, slowest was the Hardi down at 162 litres/min. Here Hardi points out that it has alternative 263-litre/min and 320-litre/ min pumps. Induction hopper volumes also show quite a spread, with Amazone, Lemken, and V&N tops at 45-50 litres against the relatively mean 25-27-litre units of Hardi and Vicon. Hardi offers a 35-litre alternative. The hopper suction rates are as varied as the tank fill speeds: Vicon delivers 150 litres/min; then come Lemken, Amazone and V&N at 135-100 litres/min. Hardi brings up the rear with just 49 litres/min, though the maker says all its UK sprayers deliver 120 litres/min suction. Last, the booms. All fold in four sections to end up vertical behind the tank. While the tested sprayers sported 21m booms, alternative 24m, 28m and even 30m variants are offered depending on the brand. Unfold/ fold time was shortest on the Amazone UF (30/33sec out/in) and slowest with the Hardi (42/42 sec), though the maker points out that the Master s folding speed can be set faster. More important in work is the range of boom height, allowing adjustment to suit the different crops and growth stages. Here Amazone scored best with a 1.76m range, followed by the still-flexible 1.41-1.45m of the Vicon, Lemken and V&N. The Master Plus offers just 1.2m height adjustment and only a modest 3 /side in tilt compensation; compare this to 5 on the V&N and the generous 9-12 of the others. However, Hardi makes it clear that its trapeze suspension design requires less tilt compensation than pendulum systems. Summary: As so often happens, machines which (on the surface) are very much alike turn out not to be. The Amazone and Hardi are the lightest in dry weight and mount closest to the tractor, while the V&N has the biggest-capacity tank yet restricts user rear vision the least. Amazone brings the fastest tank fill rate, but hopper emptying is quickest on the Kverneland and Lemken. Elsewhere, the Amazone boom has the largest working height range and is quickest to fold and unfold, but Vicon and Lemken offer the biggest tilt compensation range. Turn the page for pictures and more detail. 21
profi PRACTICAL TEST DATA COMPARISON I Manufacturer Model Amazone UF 1201 Hardi Master Plus Lemken Sirius 10 Vicon ixter B 13 Vogel & Noot IS 1480 pro Dimensions, weights I Rated/actual volume 1,200/1,350l 1,200/1,320l 1, 300/1,400l 1,300/1,450l 1,400/1,480l Length/width/height 2.27/2.42/3.17m 2.15/2.58/2.78m 2.16/2.49/3.17m 1.65/2.51/3.25m 1.91/2.48/3.21m Empty weight 1,310kg 1,220kg 1,440kg 1,540kg 1,690kg Load on rear axle 1) 4,080kg 4,010kg 4,410kg 4,570kg 4,900kg Pto length 2) 850mm 950mm 800mm 800mm 550mm Sprayer I Pump Comet BP 235 K Hardi 363/10 Altek P 200 Altek P 200 V&N MA250 Filling rate 3) 250l/min 162l/min 215l/min 212l/min 187l/min Clean water tank 120l 180l 170l 180l 150l Hopper opening 400x400mm 330x390mm 600x350mm 410x410mm 400x360mm Hopper capacity/suction rate 50l/120l/min 27l/49l/min 45l/135l/min 25l/150l/min 50l/100l/min Boom I Adjustment range (Nozzle height min/max 4) ) 1.76m (0.24/2.00m) 1.20m (0.55/1.75m) 1.42m (0.63/2.15m) 1.41m (0.62/2.03m) 1.45m (0.55/2.00m) Tilt compensation (r/l) 8 /8 5 /3 12 /9 11 /11 5 /6 Fold/unfold times 33/30sec 42/42sec 38/36sec 31/36sec 37/30sec 1) with 1,200 litres of water in tank; 2) on test tractor; 3) 540rpm, standard suction hose; 4) couplers 700mm above ground Amazone UF 1201 The Amazone UF mounts closest to the tractor s back axle and, at 1.31t, is the second lightest before filling. Booms tuck in tightly behind a tall tank, folding the fastest of all as long as outfit speed was kept below 3km/hr. Mobility wheels are sturdy, but forget to pull them out and the machine tips. If the wheels are not slid back before work, the boom nozzles can suffer, too. Amazone s A-frame works well on level ground. The rear-mounted pump delivered the fastest tank fill rate in the group 250 litres/min. A pull-out step makes for easy tank access. The floattype tank contents gauge works fine. A single revolving nozzle handles rinse duties. 22
Hardi Master Plus Lightest in the group before filling, the Master plus sits close to the tractor. Booms fold neatly, but at 42sec took the longest to do so: rate can be set faster, says Hardi. Stands are fixed and placed for stability; wheels are an option. Tank fill rate is a middling 162 litres/min; the pump needs greasing every 25 hours. The Hardi has the longest pto shaft in the group. The A-frame type coupler works very well, but section control valves on the tank don t help access. The offside tank lid is easily reached from a secure step. Contents agitation was not strong enough material was deposited in the tank. COMBIMIX The Eurocult The RW9 The Discordon Scan to see the very latest from Gregiore Besson in action Visit your local Gregoire Besson dealer OR Tel: 01778 423787 www.gregoire-besson.co.uk STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE TO LAST
profi PRACTICAL TEST Lemken Sirius 10 Dry weight of the Sirius 10 is average at 1.44t, and a narrow tank keeps the unit s centre of gravity close to the tractor. The boom folds after just one button-push in under 40sec, leaving overall height at 3.17m. An extendable, latching top link built into the frame helps attachment although to fully exploit the system s ability, the tractor s lift arm spacing must be spot-on and the coupler latches must be workable from the cab. Mobility wheels are stout and must be unfolded before sprayer removal. An Altek pump fills the tank at a speedy 215 litres/min. The tank has two lids but no access steps to them. The contents gauge works well and agitation is fine. Vicon ixter B 13 The ixter B13 is closecoupled, but at 1.54t before filling it s no featherweight. Booms fold quickly; overall height is greatest of the group at 3.25m (ground to boom tips). The stands pull out just don t forget to do it. Mobility wheels are planned. The Altek pump filled the tank at 212 litres/min, with a 250-litre/min version optional. The suction hose s transparent filter is a nice touch. This proved the most effective coupling system of any. Helpfully there s storage for oil hoses and electric lines alongside. A pull-out step gives good access to the tank lid. This is recessed so collects dirt. Tank agitation is strong. 24
Vogel & Noot IS 1480 pro Substantial mobility wheels don t lock, but will in the future. It s vital to extend the stands fully before demounting the unit. A 1,480-litre tank and 1.7t weight empty make the IS 1480 the biggest, heaviest sprayer in the group. It also mounts the farthest from the tractor s back axle, but offers the best rear view. The boom folds rapidly (30/37 sec, in/out) and is sensorprotected against operator error. The forward-mounted pump has the shortest driveshaft of the lot. Tank fill rate is middling at 187 litres/min. Frame coupling is planned; meanwhile the lower link brackets have been widened to ease the job. Tank access is excellent, although the ladder could use a stop. The tank has internal baffles and stainless fittings but, as the contents level indicator is not central, readings aren t consistent on slopes.