Vicon spreader talks a common language

13 September 2008
Contributor: Jan Moens

Precision agriculture has just become a lot easier with the launch of Vicon’s RotaFlow  RO series disc spreaders.

The top of the range EDW model is fully ISOBUS compatible and plugs straight into suitably equipped tractors allowing prescription spreading of fertiliser without the need for any additional task controllers.

Farmers can now load a prescription map based on soil testing into the tractor’s controller and the spreader will automatically adjust application rates as it moves across zones. Precision agriculture specialist with Hutcheon and Pearce at Albury, Craig Christensen, recently conducted a demonstration for farmers using a RO-EDW mounted on a John Deere with a Greenstar 2600 series touch screen. "It worked a treat.  We loaded a prescription into the tractor’s controller that created separate application rates across three zones of the paddock.  The spreader was plugged into the tractor and the Vicon page came up on the John Deere screen. "There were no communication problems.  We put out two loads and watched the spreader adjust automatically to the prescription.  The screen shows a command rate at the top.  As that changed in each zone, the bottom of the screen showed the individual disc spreading rates changing to reflect the new application rate," Craig said. "The previous Vicon EDW model would do this but needed a separate task controller.  It's just so simple now." Farmers without ISOBUS compatible tractors can still use the dynamic calibration capacity of the RO-EDW by ordering the optional Focus II terminal with switched power cable or a Tellus terminal and tractor ECU. The hopper is mounted independently of the frame and utilises four weigh cells to provide very accurate calibration.  An additional reference sensor filters the weighing signal for interference caused by shock loads and spreading on slopes.

RotaFlow spreaders are highly accurate on slopes because the fertiliser always contacts the vane at the same point and then travels the complete length of the vane. A pre-acceleration system ensures fertiliser is already rotating before it reaches the spreading vanes, preventing fragmentation due to impact.

Manual setting on the new series has been greatly simplified with the introduction of a compact FlowPilot dashboard on each disc that groups controls together.

For further information on connecting a Vicon RotaFlow RO-EDW to your ISOBUS compatible tractor, contact KvAgriculture on 1800 42 42 41 or info@kvagriculture.com.au.

Further information:  Jan Moens   0429 014 942