Farmhand showcased Amazone’s new AutoSpread system to the Irish public for the first time at the Ploughing this week. The ZA-TS 01 AutoSpread monitors the live spread pattern and automatically adjusts settings in real time based on what it sees to achieve optimum distribution.

Amazone says the spreader is capable of autonomously adjusting without operator input for optimum accuracy. The German manufacturer says the machine is the culmination of Amazone’s existing technology combined with 100,000 hectares of field trials, spanning six years.

So, how does it work? In addition to two new rear-mounted radar sensors that work together to measure fertiliser throw distance behind the spreader, the system integrates Amazone’s existing technology, including:

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  • The Argus Twin system, which measures the throw direction of the fertiliser.
  • The Wind Control, which measures wind speed and the Ama Connect near real-time transmission of machine and application data to the cloud.

    • Up until now, the ability to measure the throw distance in real time was the missing piece of the puzzle. According to Amazone, features such as HeadlandControl, Section Control and CurveControl are all now integrated within AutoSpread, which further improves the accuracy of each. Instead of using traditional tray tests, spreading data is continuously validated and compared via the AmaConnect Unit with the existing test hall data using an algorithm supported by artificial intelligence (AI). The system can also detect worn spreading vanes.

    Amazone has described the machine as a mobile test hall. The ZA-TS 01 Ultra with AutoSpread is first available in 4,200l and 5,000l capacities. Pricing is in the region of €55,000 plus VAT.