Slurry Management

Abbey Machinery’s LESS Applicators

Abbey Machinery’s LESS Applicators Qualify for Farming Equipment & Technology Fund

Abbey Machinery have an upgraded range of low emission slurry spreading applicators which qualify for the recent Farming Equipment & Technology grant. Abbey low emission slurry spreading applicators include the following models in a variety of sizes to meet the spec of the customer. The range includes the DM Chassis Mounted Band Spreader, Trailing Shoe, Shallow Disc Injector and Cereal applicator models. Applicators range from 7.7 metres to 12 metre models. The mounted stand-alone low emissions slurry spreading efficiently and sustainably deliver slurry to the ground complementing the Abbey tanker range.

The benefits of these machines are the method they deliver the slurry onto the soil to harness value, reduce rotation period, reduce carbon emissions, minimise crop contamination and reduce smell.

Abbey Machinery LESS Applicators are key to efficiently meeting emissions reduction regulations while saving money through the precise application of valuable, nutrient dense slurry. Abbey Machinery applicators can result in up to 60% reduction in N loss while maintaining the optimal delivery of N, P & K to the leafy growing sward. Abbey applicators can also help reduce purchased fertilizer costs and reduce gaseous emissions to the atmosphere.

Bunning increase functionality with new screen

Muck spreader operators keen to access the latest technology including variable rate application and coverage maps have the option of a new in-cab touchscreen on Bunning’s Lowlander MK4 HBD range.

The 12.1in Topcon XD+ uses the well-known Horizon software and is aimed at farmers running tractors that aren’t unlocked for variable rate application. Similarly, farms that frequently change their tractors and want to avoid costly technology options could also benefit.

“The new XD+ screen lets operators view live coverage maps when in work and offers the option of uploading maps into the screen,” says Ben Johnson, Bunning’s UK and Ireland sales manager.

“The transferrable screen allows the technology to be used in other tractors and helps keep investment at a manageable level, while the screen can be used to connect with other Isobus implements,” says Mr Johnson.

Optional items include remote service support via Wi-Fi, along with ‘Machine Link’, which allows a pair of XD+ equipped muck spreaders working in the same field to record their coverage on both in-cab displays.

The upshot here is that the separate screens will document live coverage maps from both spreaders, which will help operators avoid overdosing and prevent each machine generating a partially completed map of the same field at the end of the job.

Envirosystems wins “DEFRA Farm Innovation” research funding to reduce slurry emissions

British slurry inoculant manufacturer Envirosystems UK, has won a share of Defra’s highly competitive £5 million Farming Innovation Pathways (FIP) research funding to help the industry move towards net zero emissions.

The Lancashire SME has partnered with Myerscough College for an 18-month lab-tofield feasibility project, which started in August 2021. The aim of this collaboration is to deliver a unique bacterial approach to mitigating slurry ammonia emissions and enhancing slurry fertiliser value.

Dr David Townsend, head of research at Envirosystems, says: “This project allows us to combine our 20 years’ experience providing SlurryBugs® to the industry with advances in technology to develop a new cost-effective option for reducing slurry ammonia emissions and bought-in synthetic fertiliser costs for farmers.

“Traditional approaches of capping or acidifying slurry to reduce ammonia emissions can have detrimental impacts on microbiological populations and lead to over acidification of soils. Our proposed solution takes a more holistic approach to this growing issue and provides a more cost-effective and sustainable approach than covering slurry stores.”

The FIP funding is delivered through UK Research and Innovation’s Transforming Food Production programme, in partnership with Defra. The project will also produce wider human health benefits through improved air quality and environmental benefits to ecosystems affected by excess ammonia emissions.

The Maelstorm range from Harry West

Harry West (Prees) machinery can offer our customers two types of products to transport and dispose of their farmyard waste. The machines able to cope with fresh, well-rotted or semi solid farmyard manure. With the West Dual spreader range, we can move liquid and semi solid material as the unit is a sealed container and prevents spillage when in transport. The West Maelstrom rear discharge spreader gives us an alternative process that can handle much heavier material, compost, or waste products and limited wetter material

The Dual spreader is the farmers favourite, a versatile machine giving flexibility in its handling of various materials. The high-speed rigid impellor positively spreads up to 21m from the machine, with the close coupled impellor at the front ensuring good distribution of slurry. The machine comes with a continuous mechanical oscillating side plate to eliminate blocking and bridging assisted by a large control door. The steep sided body design eases the operation of all materials.

The Maelstorm range gives us a well-balanced line up of rear discharge spreaders. Capacities ranging from 8M³ to 18M³and an optional rear container door we can offer a tailor-made machine to suit both farmers and contractors. The twin rear vertical rotating beaters operate at a powerful 400rpm from the PTO drive input of 1000 rpm. The flared double tip blades offer an excellent process to macerate the manure giving a much better spread both in consistency and coverage.

Hi-Spec introduce new Trailing Shoe

The value of slurry as a source of nitrogen and other nutrients has been brought sharply into focus following the recent hike in price for compound fertilisers, with the added bonus that specialist applicators are eligible for a grant under the Farming Equipment and TechnologyFund.

However, if the maximum benefit is to be gained from the use of slurry, care should be taken as to how it is applied. Research has shown that compared to a traditional splash plate, where a trailing shoe is used grass yields increased by 25%.

By placing the slurry on the ground, trailing shoes and other forms of low emission slurry spreading (LESSE), firstly reduce the risk of run-off but also minimise the amount of nitrogen lost into the air in the form of ammonia.

To keep atmospheric losses to a minimum for maximum benefit, Hi-Spec Engineering is able to provide a wide range of spreading options for their complete range of vacuum tankers, that range in size from 750 gallons up to 3500 gallons.

Options include their own design of trailing shoe, available in working widths of 6.0, 7.5, 9.0 and 10.5 metres. The HiSpec trailing shoe features a robust chassis mounted mast that ensure the tanker and shoe are perfectly supported and balanced.

The Hi-Spec trailing shoe features a number of unique features. The 7.5m, 9.0m and 10.5m trailing shoes use a unique folding system to keep the overall transport height below the height of a standard Hi-Spec 2600 tanker. There is also the ability to use both fill points and splash plate at the rear without any modifications.

Mastek offer a range of dribble bars and trailing shoe applicators to fit tankers of all makes and sizes. The companies most popular machine is the 7.5m Professional Universal Dribble Bar weighing in at only 450kg. This machine simply replaces the slurry tankers existing door meaning fitting is quick and simple. Mastek pride themselves on being able to fit this machine to any make of tanker rear door. The machine features sprung break away and stone trap as standard. This machine is very popular on tankers from 1300 gallon up to 3000 gallon. On larger tankers 3000 gallon and above Mastek offer the Hybrid Dribble Bar. This machine can feature 3 or 4 point linkage or can be bolted to the chassis of any suitable tanker. This machine is available in widths of 10 or 12m and features hydraulic accumulator break away and a junction box as standard which allows filling points to be fitted to the rear of the machine. If you prefer the idea of Trailing Shoe Mastek offer the 7.5m Micro Trailing Shoe. This machine is fixed to the tanker using fixed brackets and features a clever sequencing valve which unfolds the arms then tilts them to the ground all on the same hydraulic circuit. This machine also comes with a junction box to allow filling points to be fitted to the rear of the trailing shoe. The micro shoe features the company’s “Micro SuperCut” macerator, this is proving to be a very compact yet

The Mastek range

reliable macerator. Mastek’s own award winning “SuperCut” and “Micro SuperCut” macerators are designed to handle long fibre and debris by using 6 unique V-shaped cutting discs to shear long fibre and plastic. Each hose outlet has a one-way air valve, this gives an even flow and helps to prevent blockages.

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Tramspread to distribute Roelama in UK Vogelsang launches press screw separator

Tramspread has become the sole UK distributor of Roelama slurry applicators. The Roelama range is manufactured in the Netherlands and includes trailing shoe machines with working widths of 6.4 to 12 metres.

“Roelama manufactures high quality, easy to maintain trailing shoe applicators that can be used with an umbilical system or mounted to a tanker,” says Tramspread managing director, Terry Baker.

The Sleepflex and Sleepflex Farmer models can be specified with trailing shoes or cutting disks and have a vertical, three or fivepart, hydraulic folding mechanism. The swinging arm for the drag hose has been neatly designed to prevent the hose from running underneath by angling it away from the machine at all times.

“The Sleepflex Farmer is a professional machine. It has adjustable wheels and 20-centimetre row distance spacing to maximise precision nutrient application,” explains Mr Baker.

The Sleepflex is a 12-metre unit that is suitable for larger farms and contractors. It features an integrated lift, fully electrical hydraulic steering, and two turning points on the swinging arm which enables the operator to reverse without crossing the drag hose. “This helps to manoeuvre the wider width machine in tight spaces,” he adds. Vogelsang GmbH & Co. KG is launching a press screw separator. The mechanical engineering company introduced it at the in-house trade fair “Gülle Professional Days”, alongside other innovations for efficient liquid manure management. “To remain cost-effective despite the significant degree of regulation, our customers are increasingly relying on economical use of valuable liquid manure, including optimal nutrient placement. With this goal in mind, we are constantly developing our portfolio and have now added separation technology,” says Harald Vogelsang, Managing Director of Vogelsang GmbH & Co. KG.

The XSplit press screw separator allows farmers and biogas plant operators to optimally separate the liquid manure and digestate for spreading and further use. Vogelsang has taken the tried and tested method of solidliquid separation and redesigned the technology behind it. The drive is located at the solids outlet and not, as is customary on the market, at the inflow of the raw medium. The advantage: liquid cannot get into the drive and therefore a shaft seal is no longer necessary. This reduces maintenance effort and costs. In addition, the QuickService concept enables direct access to the screen and screw press.