Link to Vision no.12

New control
function for NZA
New two year
warranty period
New GPS control
for Rapid
The legendary NZ harrow is now
available with adjustable tillage
depth on the move.
Setting a new standard by
introducing a two-year guarantee
period for all products.
Väderstad GPS Control system
takes precision in conventional
drilling to a higher level.
vision
12
News from Väderstad
January 2013
Väderstad sets a new standard – extending
the warranty period to two years
Control function for exact results
be standard on NZA from 2013. NZA
has become even simpler to use.
“The control cylinder is actually a
cylinder with an adjustable bottom
position. By adding or releasing
oil, this bottom position can be
respectively raised or lowered. This
allows the working depth to be
simply adjusted during work and
the machine ‘remembers’ the latest
working depth set. A clear scale shows
the bottom position – i.e. the harrow
depth set”, says Michael Alsop.
2012 – a year to remember or one
simply to forget? Being one of the
wettest years on record, it has
certainly proved to be challenging
one. But as the year ends Väderstad
sees its 20,000th Rapid drill roll
off the production line; a fine
achievement since its launch in 1991.
As our portfolio of drilling machinery
expands further, we see the launch of
the new 30 Series Seed Hawk in 6 & 8
metre versions as well as a new front tool
option, System Disc Aggressive, for the
6 & 8 metre Rapid drills. Also the first
Tempo precision planters are landing on
UK soil, as is the strip till system based
around the increasing popular Spirit.
Since the introduction of the Spirit ‘Next’
in 2011, sales have consistently grown
throughout the UK, and with its ability
to place fertiliser, the Combi version
has been selling well in the north of
Scotland. By placing fertiliser with
the front tool in a 5cm wide band, it is
being seen by many as an advantage
to the growth of the crop. The key
benefit of placing fertiliser in a band is
to maximise “nutrient use efficiency“.
Placing the fertiliser in a band away
from the seed and into moisture will in
turn influence the rooting structure of
the plant; as roots enter a nutrient rich
environment they tend to proliferate in
that area, giving a much bigger rooting
structure. Appropriate placement
methods can help maximise the take
up of fertiliser while possibly reducing
weeds, herbicides and potential nutrient
loss, as well as reducing input costs.
Through an ingenious hydraulic mechanism, the farmer can adjust tillage depth on the move.
Väderstad has recently launched the
Control function on its legendary NZA
harrow. This allows exact setting of
tillage depth from the tractor while
work is in progress. Therefore the
harrow can easily be adjusted to work
somewhat harder on headlands and
in parts of the field where slightly
deeper cultivation is desired.
“This innovation, which is based
on the same principle as that on
Rapid seed drills, means that the
farmer can set the depth from the
driving seat”, says Michael Alsop,
Managing Director at Väderstad.
The function allowing very precise depth
adjustment of the seedbed base will
Väderstad has supplied almost 25 000
harrows since the first one rolled off
the production line in the early 1980s.
The harrow has been upgraded on
several occasions, but the advance
made now by Väderstad with the
introduction of the Control function
is as great as that made in 2002, when
NZ Aggressive was introduced.
Väderstad revolutionised agriculture
with the invention and introduction
of Crossboard in 1995. Today a front
Crossboard is standard and a rear
Crossboard can be chosen as an option
for additional levelling capacity.
Väderstad is once again pushing the
limits and sets a new standard by
introducing a two-year guarantee
period for all products as part of the
company’s quality assurance work.
be able to offer this security to our
customers”, said Fredrik Lundén.
“This reflects our focus on quality,
which is of the utmost importance
at every stage of the process when
Väderstad is developing new products,
from choice of materials to methods
for testing “, explained Fredrik Lundén,
Director of Marketing at Väderstad.
During development work at Väderstad,
different technical solutions are tested
in computer-simulated stress tests
and in practical tests in the field. Over
the years, Väderstad has built up an
industrial testing system with different
types of rigs and a comprehensive
knowledge of how measured data
compare with actual wear. The rigs
allow scientific testing in a short time.
When selecting materials and
components, Väderstad often goes for
slightly more expensive solutions if
these provide longer life. A machine
that operates problem-free for a long
time and that has a high secondhand value is cheaper to own.
“We take a long-term perspective
in everything we do and we have
worked long and hard in order to
Early testing of
different solutions
“The development of new agricultural
machines and methods is at the core of
Väderstad and we are so convinced of
the quality of our development methods
and testing operations that we are
now feel confident in offering a twoyear guarantee” said Fredrik Lundén.
Jacob Fransson,
mechanical
engineer at
Väderstad-Verken
Whatever your particular farming
practices are, we hope that 2013
brings you more sunshine and warmth
for better growing, harvesting and
planting seasons than last year.
David Macgregor
Territory Service Manager – Scotland
2
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3
More aggressive action from Väderstad
cultivation tool improves seedbed quality
More aggressive pre-cultivations on
chalky boulder clay soils could be the
answer to improving seedbeds through
better seed to soil contact and therefore
aiding establishment of cereal crops on
a Hertfordshire farming enterprise.
Pelham Farming Co Ltd based at Stocking
Pelham Hall near Bishops Stortford is
a 5000 acre joint farming organisation
set up in 2000 between two like minded
arable farming families – Edward and
Arnold Hitchcock and Ian and Mike
Watson. Pooling managerial resource
and machines for cultivations, drilling
and harvesting has helped to improve
efficiency and drive up profits in the
business in the last decade. Each of the
farming members is responsible for their
own spraying and fertiliser applications.
This year the company tested a new
drill and cultivation arrangement from
Väderstad based on an 8m Rapid S
with the System Disc Aggressive on
the front – the new discs replacing
the standard System Disc set up.
Initial observations from Pelham
Farming Company director Ian Watson –
having drilled 270 hectares in five days
already this season – is that the tilth
on the Hanslope series soils is much
finer and the trash has been mixed
and buried much more effectively.
This has been achieved with very little
difference to the rest of the cultivation
practice or horsepower requirement.
Despite being a slightly heavier drill
with the System Disc Aggressive he
says it only needs an extra 40hp to
maintain the average drilling speed of
16kph achieved with the farms current
8m Rapid S and System Disc. The
drill is being pulled by a New Holland
T9560 articulated tractor unit.
“We have tested the System Disc
Aggressive on some very dry and cobbly
soils,” he says. “It works particularly well
behind the TopDown. The seedbed has
remained constant at about 2.5inches
deep with the tilth around the seed
being fine, fluffy
and well consolidated. As the weather
has started to turn wetter more
recently we would not expect to see
such a marked difference in seedbed
quality between the two systems.
“We think that the slightly heavier
System Disc Aggressive – arranged in
two rows of 32 angled conical discs
with rubber suspension – is the key to
providing such good seed beds in dry
conditions. Normally we would expect
to see lumps and clods on some of our
worst soils. System Disc combined with
the benefits of the Rexius Twin has
always eradicated slugs on the farm,
or certainly we haven’t needed to use
many slug pellets on the farm for years.”
Mr Watson believes that it should be
possible to take out a pre-cultivation
pass where the System Disc Aggressive
has been employed. For Pelham Farming
the pre-cultivation consists of one pass
with a 7m TopDown followed by a 6.3m
Rexius Twin and then the drill. It could
mean being able to take out the pass
with the Rexius Twin, but in reality this
is unlikely to be the case because some
of the soils are particularly challenging.
Pelham Farming Company has land
spread over about 14 miles from end
to end which means quite a lot of
road work going to and from fields.
Much focus has therefore been placed
on operator and road user safety by
ensuring that the 8m Rapid drill folds
down to a road legal width of 3m.
A major milestone
Rapid number 20,000 delivered
At the Agromek exhibition in Denmark,
Väderstad passed a major milestone
when Rapid number 20,000 was
handed over to the Danish farmer
Christian Lanter-Mortensen from
Alslev. The machine was sold by Dann
Nielsen, Röstofte Maskinforretning.
The huge capacity of this seed drill, the
low maintenance costs and the combidrilling option prompted Christian
Lanter-Mortensen to buy another Rapid.
The Rapid seed drill was first launched
in 1990, at a time when Väderstad
had fewer than 125 employees. Just
over 20 years later, the company has
a workforce of over 1,000 in twelve
4
countries and has supplied 20,000 Rapid
seed drills to around 35 countries.
“The Rapid drill has been critical
for the company’s success and has
taken us onto many new markets.
Naturally we are incredibly thankful
for this fantastic development”,
said Crister Stark, Chairman of the
Board at Väderstad-Verken.
“We are proud and delighted to sell
for Väderstad. When we were given
the opportunity a year ago we did not
hesitate for a second and it has exceeded
all expectations with Väderstad’s new
organisation in place”, said Dann Nielsen.
5
Extensive experience brings new
direct drill to the market
Väderstad Seed Hawk is has launched
a new direct drill suited for Europe,
the Seed Hawk 30 series is available
in 6 – 8 metre models. The machine is
developed and manufactured at the
zero tillage know-how centre in Canada.
“The last few years have provided
us with lots of experience in the
zero tillage field and we have now
implemented several changes in the
new model. One of the enhanced
features is the unique individual twoknife opener with individual press
wheels, which optimises seed and
fertiliser placement. Greater accuracy
even in harsh and uneven fields is
another added advantage”, says Gustav
Nilsson, Seed Hawk product manager.
Economic benefits
The economic benefits are many with
zero tillage and the rule of thumb
indicates the possibility of cutting crop
establishment costs by 90 per cent
compared with conventional drilling.
Great placement in wet
and dry conditions
The individual opener with 25cm row
spacing provides a superior standard
of seed and fertiliser placement in
both wet and dry conditions.
The tines create an optimal seedbed;
the tines disturb the soil and create a
black furrow and seedbed just where it is
needed. The soil warms up more quickly,
which is key in direct drilling. Using
the contour-following two-knife system
with individual press wheel leads to
elimination of hair pinning when seeding. Presenting the world’s
largest seed drill
seeing anything on the top, while a
compressed sponge doesn’t absorb
any water”, explains Gustav Nilsson.
The Seed Hawk 30 series will
primarily be sold in France, Spain,
England, Russia and Latvia.
“It is a really a well-built machine,
setting a new standard in the world of
direct seeders”, says Gustav Nilsson.
Decreased soil compaction
“Due to the minimised number of passes,
soil compaction is naturally less of an
issue, which could make the difference
between drilling and not drilling in
a wet year - exactly like that central
Sweden experienced during 2012.
“It’s comparable to a sponge, after a
few years of zero tillage, you can pour
lots of water into a sponge without
The direct seeding tines are preferred
due to the superior soil warming effect
when creating a black furrow, also
minimising the risk of “hair pinning”.
The two knifes places both the seed
and fertiliser on firm moist soil
without the risk of burning the seed.
The two knife openers place the seed
and fertiliser at an optimal depth and
distance apart. The aggressive soil seeking
fertiliser knife places the fertiliser on firm
soil and creates a small V-shaped micro
seedbed for the seed. The seed knife
closes the slot that has been created by
the fertiliser knife and places the seed
on firm soil, well protected and on the
optimal level from the fertiliser. The 10cm
wide wheel packer seals the furrows
to prevent moisture loss. The standing
stubble protects the young plant against
wind and creates a small micro climate.
This Seed Hawk 1300 hopper is one of three prototypes made during the year.
The series will be expanded in coming years with more models and sizes.
Väderstad Seed Hawk presented the
world’s largest seed drill last year at
the Farm Progress Show in Canada.
The cart for seed and fertiliser can
hold an astounding 46 cubic metres,
weighs over 15 tonnes empty and is
over 15 metres long. The weight of the
hopper is distributed over four tracks
in order to minimise soil compaction.
“The huge 46 cubic metre cart minimises
the time required for refills and increases
the efficiency. Despite its enormous
size, the cart can be filled in 15 minutes”
including both seeds and fertiliser
according to Gustav Nilsson, who is
responsible for Seed Hawk at Väderstad.
The cart is divided into four
compartments of varying sizes:
10,500 litres, 16,800 litres, 16,800 litres
and 1,400 litres. Wheat is normally
kept in the 10,500 litre tank and
fertiliser in the 16,800 litre tank.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the
largest hopper on the market. Together
with a 25 metre wide direct drill, it
is possible to drill up to 61 hectares
per fill. This is based on a seed rate of
120kg per hectare and a fertiliser rate
of 300kg per hectare”, said one of the
founders of Seed Hawk, Brian Dean.
Field trials carried out Väderstad Seed
Hawk have shown that direct drilling can
give just as high yields as conventional
drilling. The proportion of directdrilled is relatively small in Sweden,
but in Australia for example it is the
most commonly used method because
soil moisture is very limited there.
“In the case of Seed Hawk 1300 we
believe that the highest demand
will come from markets such
as Russia, Canada, the USA and
Australia”, said Gustav Nilsson.
The Seed Hawk
independent two knife
openers with packer wheel
provide the optimum seed
and fertiliser placement,
in dry and wet conditions.
6
7
Topdown offers a cultivation
solution for all seasons
Väderstad’s TopDown cultivator
is proving an essential tool on
a Warwickshire farm where
flexibility is key to farming a
large acreage efficiently.
is also possible to alter the breakback
pressure of the soil loosening legs,
allowing them to ‘give’ a bit and make
for easier working in hard ground.”
Cropping at JH and MM Jones’ Hatton
Bank Farm near Stratford upon
Avon is on 1100ha with the rotation
being first wheat, oilseed rape and
spring beans, and a min till regime
has been in operation since 1999.
The TopDown is used in combination
with Väderstad’s Carrier stubble
cultivator to prepare the ground
for the Rapid Drill, and also works
with the BioDrill to establish
rape where conditions allow.
Using the System Disc Aggressive to
slice the surface, the TopDown mixes
harvest residues before loosening with
the tines and finally a firm consolidation
via the steel packer, in one pass.
Tools can also be used separately
to give various operation modes.
“We set up the TopDown initially in
the yard to ensure that it is level and
to get the best performance. It offers
plenty of adjustment and is easy to set
up – the depth is set on a single stop,
the System Disc and levelling wheels are
set from the cab, and the packer depth
pressure can also be adjusted to your
requirements,” says David Jones. “It
8
Clothing range to match Rapid
Mr Jones chose to prepare the ground
with the TopDown alone to give it time
to dry out before drilling with the Rapid.
“It is handy that we have the flexibility
to use either system –we have achieved
85 per cent rape establishment
even in these conditions. It is also
possible to tailor the TopDown to
different conditions by choosing
from a selection of tines.”
Mr Jones has just purchased his
second TopDown, a TD700 and
specified the new Marathon points,
which have proved a big hit.
Fine adjustment is also possible in the
field, for example to remove any damage
from the combine – although the use of
a tracked combine limits the depth of
any compaction – using a narrow point
on the soil loosening legs. Working depth
is usually set at 5-8in but the TopDown
can go deeper if required, which is
especially useful on the headlands.
The packer can be set to leave an
open finish which offers the weather
resistance for drilling 6-7 weeks later, or
the Carrier deployed to finish seedbed
preparation behind the TopDown.
The TopDown works well with the
BioDrill to establish rape in dry
conditions, but in the tricky 2012 season
It is handy that we have
the flexibility – we have
achieved 85 per cent
rape establishment even
in these conditions.
“We really appreciate the ability to run
deep or shallow, and use different tines,
according to whether we are managing
headlands or broadcasting rape for
example. The Marathon points are
tipped with tungsten carbide, which
means that they retain their working
angle even as they wear, which has been
especially important in this autumn’s
wet soils. They have already lasted
three times as long as the standard
points which shows their value.”
Mr Jones stresses the importance
of setting up the TopDown
correctly and operating it well.
“Make sure that you have enough
horsepower and get it level - then
it is easy to adjust in the field. I
operate the Väderstad equipment
alongside my driver Stuart Smith,
who was a ploughman, and his
attention to detail really pays.”
“This is a really well built machine, and
we did not have to weld or fabricate
the frame of our previous TopDown at
all during its working life. The quality
and finish also helps with the resale
value, although I think the importance
of setting up and maintaining a
machine according to the manual
is overlooked by operators these
days and makes a big difference to
performance and cost of ownership.”
Mr Jones is also working with
Väderstad on a series of min-till farmer
discussion days, sharing the benefits of
the technology and his experiences to
help others get the best from their soils.
Now farmers can match their Rapid
seed drill with clothing from the
Väderstad Collection Shop. Väderstad
has set up an online shop that sells
merchandise and collectors’ items.
The shop is already available via
the Väderstad-Verken website:
www.collection.vaderstad.com
“The great demand for Väderstad
clothing has led us to set up an online
shop. It means that our customers
will have access to our full range of
merchandise, with delivery within a few
days. In our current collection we offer
clothing for work, leisure and children, as
well as scale models of our machines. We
are constantly updating the range”, said
Pernilla Blomberg, who is responsible
for the Väderstad Collection Shop.
“The Väderstad Collection Shop is now
being launched on 12 markets around
Europe and we are expanding the range
all the time. Farmers are brand-loyal
as long as the products meet their
standards. To further enhance our brand
and develop our services we want to
make high quality branded clothing
and scale models available directly
to the end customer” said Pernilla.
Scan to visit the
collection shop
9
Straight ahead with the new Väderstad Carrier
The Carrier once again shows the way,
now optimised for high precision GPS
steered tractors. Väderstad launches
a new generation of Carrier with
X-shaped-discs on the 4.20-12.25m
range. The new invention contributes
to increased productivity and
capacity. With the discs in X-shape all
sideward forces are eliminated and
the machine runs perfectly straight.
“The benefit with the X-shape is that
the machine does not slide sideways.
This is particular valuable when farming
in hilly conditions, as the X-shaped
discs stabilise the machine. This means
that the new invention generates
greater precision, says Crister Stark.
“We do see an increasing usage
of GPS systems world-wide. We
upgraded the Carrier to meet the
needs of the professional farmers.
A direct customer benefit is that
10
the GPS system cause less seeding
overlap, saving valuable percentages
in productivity” says Crister Stark,
chairman of the board at Väderstad.
We do see an increasing
usage of GPS systems
world-wide. We upgraded
the Carrier to meet
the needs of the
professional farmers.
Crister Stark
Greater precision and time saving
with Väderstad GPS Control
From November 2012 on, all Väderstad
pneumatic Rapid drills will be fitted
with new software including GPS
Control. Using GPS Control and a
connection with Trimble GPS system,
the machines will automatically start
and stop seed metering on headlands
and automatically control section
activation in irregular areas.
“With this system the farmer saves seed
and fertiliser and also time and driver
effort”, explained Product Manager
Mattias Hovnert at Väderstad.
Variable rate control
The seed and fertiliser rate can be
controlled automatically according to
the value specified on a GPS map.
The machine records the actual dose
provided for later monitoring and
traceability. Adjustment of the rate is an
environmentally friendly way of working
to optimise yield while decreasing
the risk of overdosing and leaching.
How it works
GPS control keeps track of where
the machine has already been in the
field through an intelligent memory
function. The drilled area is shown on
the Trimble display as work continues.
When the seed drill enters an area
that is already drilled, seed metering
is shut off. If there happens to be a
wedge-shaped pass, half the machine
is shut off to avoid double drilling. The
saving can often be 5-10 per cent.
Automatic start and
stop on headlands
It is also possible to use automatic
start and stop on headlands, even
if the headland is to be drilled last.
The headland width to be left on the
field in question is specified and the
machine shuts off when it passes
through this invisible boundary.
Väderstad GPS Control together with
the Trimble GPS system takes the
precision in conventional drilling to
a higher level. It is easy to use and
helps the farmer in a good way. It
also allows the farmer to drill the
headlands last with exact precision”,
said Product Manager Mattias Hovnert.
11
3
2014
YEARS
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Call 01904 520188 or visit
www.vaderstad.com for
further information.
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PARTS NEWS
New bean coulter
for Rapid
The new bean coulter has a 3mm
wider outlet compared to normal
coulters. The advantage of this
coulter is that it can also be used with
normal grain and oil seed rape.
The coulter will be yellow to distinguish
it from a normal coulter and is available
from your local spare parts department.
+3mm
New reinforced tyre for Rapid
Please be aware of an addition to our
7.00-15 drill tyre range, now available
as an option for the aftermarket
and new machines, the XPR (extra
puncture resistant) tyre is reinforced
with an aramid inlay to give the best
possible protection against punctures.
Aramid fibres are a class of heatresistant and strong synthetic fibres.
They are also used in aerospace and
military applications, for such things
as ballistic rated body armour.
The tyre is identified with XPR moulded
in the tyre wall and a coloured band
running the circumference of the tyre.
Unit one, Ellesmere Business Park,
Grantham, Lincolnshire. NG31 7XT
Tel. 01476 581 900 Fax. 01476 581
901 www.vaderstad.com