11 December 2017, 08:00
With the new ZG-TS models, 7501 and 10001, in hopper sizes of 7,500 and 10,000 l, AMAZONE sets new standards in trailed fertiliser spreader technology.
Dynamic hopper design
For the new ZG-TS series hoppers, many factors have been taken into account. The hopper profile, which slopes upwards to the rear, is not only striking in its dynamic design, but at the same time provides sufficient room for a large steering angle of the running gear wheels. In addition, the specific hopper geometry and the layout of the towing point and of the axle ensure that no negative support loads can occur.
Fertiliser-saving TS spreading unit and capable of high outputs
The ZG-TS 01 is equipped with the new AMAZONE TS spreading unit. The spreading system, made entirely from stainless steel, has been designed for an especially long service life. The different spreading vane kits can be quickly and simply exchanged via a quick-change system. The hydraulic spreading disc drive provides constant disc speed under all circumstances and thus maximum precision. Depending on the fertiliser type, working widths of up to 54 m and application rates up to 10.8 kg/s or 650 kg/min are possible. The combination of application rate, maximum working width and operational speed up to 30 km/h make for very high work rates. Between normal spreading (wide throwing widths) and border spreading (reduced throwing width to one side) different spreading vanes are activated via the so-called AutoTS system without the driver having to leave the tractor cab and without having to change discs. With the TS spreading unit, on the one hand consistent spread patterns with very large overlaps are achieved whereas on the other hand, border spread patterns with very steep flanks are created whereby the full amount of fertiliser is thrown as close as possible to the border. In short: optimum comfort, maximum fertiliser protection and efficiency without compromise.
The ZG-TS features DynamicSpread part-width Section Control offering the possibility to switch up to 128 part-width sections in wedge shaped fields. In addition, the spreader can also be equipped with ArgusTwin spread pattern monitoring and with WindControl.
True-track axle steering
The maximum 28° pivot angle of the steering axle is at a standard which up to now has only been known on crop protection sprayers. Now, AMAZONE also introduces this exact same steering axle on to its new large area spreaders. That means: customers who operate a trailed sprayer with a steering system that prevents running down their crops as best as possible now can follow in the same track with the new ZG-TS 01. With a track width of 1.8 m and a tyre width of 520 mm, true-track following is still possible. The automatic steering system which is integrated into the ISOBUS software of the ZG-TS even allows counter-steering on slopes. As soon as the spreading disc drive has been deactivated and a speed of 25 km/h is exceeded, the steering system automatically switches off to ensure safe road transport at speeds of up to 60 km/h.
Hybrid drive system
An additional innovation is the hybrid drive system. To ensure that the ZG-TS offers maximum flexibility, the spreading unit, floor belt and the steering are driven and controlled hydraulically. To allow also the use of smaller tractors as the towing vehicle, two drive systems are available as an option: either the usual, tractor-based Load-Sensing hydraulic system or the new hybrid system. For the hybrid system, approximately two-thirds of the oil capacity of the Load-Sensing system of the tractor is used with the aid of a twin-pump pressure balancing set-up; the other third is generated via the on-board hydraulic system on the spreader. For this a hydraulic pump is fitted on the spreader that is driven directly via the PTO shaft of the tractor. This hybrid system allows the use of smaller tractors and is, at the same time, considerably cheaper than normal on-board hydraulic systems.
Rollover hopper cover
Right from the outset the rollover hopper cover known from the mounted spreaders is also provided for the ZG-TS 01. With the aid of a double-acting spool valve, this cover can be quickly, comfortably and safely rolled back and forth from the tractor cab. By the leaf springs within the canvas it is, when rolled out, stretched tightly over the hopper top so that it is well sealed. When rolled open, the rollover hopper cover is tightly rolled up. This ensures the largest possible hopper opening for an effortless filling of the spreader and at the same time prevents wrinkles where water, dirt or fertiliser might collect.
ZG-TS ProfisPro trailed weigh-cell spreader – the first of its kind
Weighing systems allow the automatic regulation of the desired application rate via the metering shutter slides. Here, differences in the quantity discharged between two measured points is compared to the area spread and in this way determines whether the actual shutter slide position requires alteration. With trailed spreaders, the hoppers are considerably larger and heavier compared with mounted spreaders, whereas the application rates in kg/ha are the same. The big technical challenge is to solve the conflict between a sufficiently stable and yet sensitive enough measuring signal suitable for regulating the application rate.
On the new chassis-integrated weighing system for the trailed ZG-TS ProfisPro fertiliser spreader, the hopper with its frame is connected with a separate chassis via four weigh-cells fitted to the corners. In this way there is no weight measuring point anymore that is influenced by the pull of the towing vehicle. An additional tilt sensor compensates for the tilt of the machine on sloping terrain. So, all the preconditions for a high frequency on-line weighing system are fulfilled making the ZG-TS ProfisPro the first trailed fertiliser spreader to be offered with an on-line calibration function.
The signal from the on-line weighing function is intelligently utilised though for several functions and so, not only it does serve to supply a constant on-line calibration of the application rate but also is used for intelligent fill level management and a safe braking force compensation for higher transport speeds.
Overview of the different functions of the ProfisPro on-line weighing system
1. On-line calibration
The measuring signal from the weigh-cells provides the on-line calibration of the application rate so that the metering shutter slide is always in the correct position. A system that has been highly accurate and has worked successfully on mounted spreaders for many years and thus is completely accepted by all farmers is now being utilised on trailed mineral fertiliser spreaders as well thanks to the new pull-point independent weighing system.
2. Fill level management
a. Determining the refill quantity required for the remaining area
Due to the constant measuring of the residual amount in the hopper, the remaining area and the remaining distance still to be spread are automatically determined in relation to the pre-set working width. In this way, unnecessary travelling in the field whilst unladen is avoided. Simultaneously, the weighing system ensures that, also without using an external weighing system, exactly the relevant tonnage required is loaded. In this way, for instance, the quantity needed to cover the remaining area can be refilled exactly so that unnecessarily big residual amounts in the hopper are avoided.
b. Optimum load distribution
For the effective utilisation of the 10,000 l hopper volume, it is paramount, especially when using heavy fertiliser types, such as Kieserite at 1.35 kg/l, to observe the weight distribution in the machine. In order to keep within the permissible road traffic regulation limits for drawbar support loading and axle loads, it is, depending on the fertiliser type, necessary to add more capacity in the front part of the fertiliser spreader rather than at the rear. The weighing system is able to show the user how much load is resting on the axle and how much on the drawbar. This avoids subjective misjudgements and ensures legal travel in accordance with road traffic regulations.
3. Regulation of the braking force
To travel safely on the road, even at high speeds and with different load conditions, automatic, load-dependent braking force regulation is necessary. For the new ZG-TS 01, AMAZONE utilises an electronic braking system (EBS) where the brakes receive the signal for determining the braking force from the new on-line weighing system. As the weighing system constantly determines the quantity inside the hopper, the derived braking force is matched automatically. In this way, irrespective of the load, a very sensitive braking action is ensured. And also, most importantly, the ZG-TS 01 also fulfils the specifications of the new EU type approval.
Source: AMAZONEN-Werke H. Dreyer GmbH & Co. KG