Väderstad ups the Tempo

In April 2017, Swedish ag-implement brand Väderstad’s Tempo precision drill broke a world record by planting 502 hectares of maize in just 24 hours.

Now, Väderstad is upping the ante by adding a new front-mounted fertiliser hopper and variable rate application technology to the record-breaking machine.

Väderstad Product Manager, Joe Read, says the new FH 2200 fertiliser hopper complements the proven capacity and performance of the Tempo.

“Equipped with twin Fenix III electric metering systems, the 2200-litre hopper can precisely deliver up to 250 kg/ha fertiliser at speeds of up to 15 km/h,” he says.

A high performance hydraulic fan blows the metered fertiliser back to the planter via a transport tube.

Fertiliser is then fed into the Tempo V or R distributor head and distributed evenly to the fertiliser coulters. The sloping front of the hopper ensures good visibility, while its wide opening allows easy filling.

Other improvements for 2018 include the addition of optional hydraulic weight transfer and floating row cleaning systems.

“The ability to increase or reduce pressure on each row unit enables the operator to precisely adjust the machine to field conditions, thereby ensuring an even seed depth and uniform crop emergence,” Read says.

“Likewise, the floating row cleaner adapts to suit field conditions.”

Each row cleaner is mounted on a parallel linkage, enabling it to precisely follow the field surface.

The working intensity is configured with a spring. The row cleaner is fitted with a self-cleaning rubber wheel that controls the depth setting of the spiked row cleaner disc.

“With optimised working angles, the floating row cleaners are designed to perfectly match the speed and precision of the Tempo planter,” Read says.

All functions of the Tempo and any attached implements are controlled using the Väderstad E-Control iPad-based control system inside the tractor.

Growers can opt to equip the Tempo with Väderstad’s new ISOBUS Task Controller, which enables GPS-controlled variable rate application and automatic section control.

ISOBUS Task Controller requires Väderstad machines to be equipped with a gateway.

“In turn, the tractor terminal needs to be ISOBUS-compatible and in some cases, the function may need to be unlocked in the terminal,” Read says.

“Software updates can be easily downloaded using an iPad with internet access.”

Tempo drills are available in six models spanning four to 18 rows.

Väderstad machinery is distributed in Australia by Landpower.