KUHN multi-spreader nabs top award

A two-in-one trailed spreader by French ag-implement manufacturer, KUHN, has taken out the coveted 'Machine of the Year' award at the 2017 Wimmera Machinery Field Days.

New to the Australian market, the AXENT 100.1 comes with two interchangeable modules that allow farmers or contractors to easily switch between spreading granulated fertiliser or seeds; and powdered fertiliser such as lime and gypsum.

According to KUHN, this presents significant cost savings for operators.

"In the past, you have to have two different machines for both, as a spreader that spreads granular products does not work on powdered fertilisers because the latter compacts," says KUHN Farm Machinery Australia's spreader specialist, Danny Tranter.

"So that's why we've gone for two different systems for the two very different products that you're going to spread."

"It's a big achievement for KUHN to win the 'Machine of the Year' award here at the Wimmera field days…it just proves that KUHN was right in making the decision to start importing them into the country."

Switching between the AXIS PowerPack for granulated fertiliser; and the LIME PowerPack for powdered fertiliser is a 10 minute job that involves plugging and unplugging the modules and hydraulic hoses.

Also unique on the AXENT 100.1 is KUHN's Electronic Mass Flow Control (EMC) technology which adjusts the fertiliser flow rate on each disc automatically, to ensure accurate spreading on both sides.

The spreader also features other clever technologies such as the VARISPREAD Dynamic section control, variable rate application and border spreading system. They all utilise GPS to control spreading rate and speed at different areas of the field to minimise overlap and maximise efficiency.

The AXENT 100.1 is ISOBUS compatible which means operators can connect the spreader to any existing tractor terminal and control the spreading from within the tractor cab.

"Once you're spreading out in the paddock, the machine will turn itself on and off and shut off sections by itself, so all you have to do is drive and the machine does the rest," Tranter says.

The AXENT 100.1 has a maximum hopper capacity of 9400 litres, and is powered by the tractor's PTO. It has its own hydraulic system, which saves it from having to use the tractor's oil flow hence helping to reduce the tractor's fuel consumption.

It also features a reversing camera for safer manoeuvring around fields and into barns or sheds.

The premium model is priced at $A175,000.

The 2017 Wimmera Machinery Field Days ran from March 7 to 9.