Potato Review

44 POTATO REVIEW MARCH/APRIL 2020 MACHINERY For the harvest season 2020 the four-row, self-propelled potato harvesters VARITRON 470 with wheel chassis and VARITRON 470 Platinum TERRA TRAC (on rubber tracs) will be equipped with various new innovations. A new premium comfort cabin with optimised noise insulation is now optionally available with an optional leather seat with extra high back. Other features include a large cooling box and a radio with a hands- free kit, wind-shield wipers and sun blinds on all windows. Two assistance systems based on ‘GRIMME-Speedtronic’ ensure the harvester can always be driven in the optimum range between performance and crop protection. “Speedtronic-Web” increases throughput by an automatic adjustment of the main web speed in relation to working speed, improving crop protection. To avoid any blockages in the ring elevator, its conveying speed is temporarily increased by Speedtronic-Elevator in the case that the pressure of the hydraulic system exceeds a defined target value. A bunker chain greasing system is standard from 2020. Both versions of the VARITRON 470 are equipped with a modern, strong six-cylinder diesel engine of Mercedes-Benz with 10.7 litre cubic capacity and 460 hp / 340 kW instead of 435 hp / 320 kW, including exhaust emission stage V. All GRIMME self-propelled harvesters are equipped with a telemetry unit that enables a connection to the customer portal myGRIMME. In combination with the software-module “myJobs”, the system is able to differentiate automatically between road and field mode and can independently generate tasks. After completing a job, the user receives an overview detailing aspects like fuel consumption, time per working state and weather conditions. The lanes are marked in colours according to the work status. The data generated provides the farmer an optimum basis for billing jobs and for possible optimisation of work steps. If the user uses a certified agricultural software, farm management information system (FMIS), it is possible to connect this software via the data exchange platform agrirouter with myGRIMME. On request, you can than send machine and GPS data from the machine to the FMIS. For all self- propelled GRIMME harvesters, there are individual agreed service packages available which include the full service inclusive of wearing parts. Farm makes additional income following installation of heat/chill system A new 3992kW Calibrate heat/chill system for potato washing and chilling was recently demonstrated at Duncote Farm near Telford. The open day gave people the chance to see the new system linked to a ground source heat pump at Barratts Field, Walcot near Telford, hosted by JRO Griffiths. Users of the system can take advantage of the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive for renewable heat generated by heat pumps. The system demonstrated has a four-year payback timescale but the RHI is paid for 20 years on current rules, which offers an additional income for the farm for many years to come. JRO Griffiths processes 36,000 tonnes of potatoes each year and this heat chill heat pump set-up has been installed to service the farm’s Alvan Blanche grain dryer and to provide warm water for the farm’s potato washer, as well as warming the grading shed and washdown. The installation will provide an estimated £9.7 million of projected income and savings over the 20-year payment period of the RHI tariff. Micron Group, manufacturer of low volume precision sprayers for agricultural, horticultural and amenity applications has recently had its range of shielded equipment re-assessed for LERAP (Local Environmental Risk Assessment for Pesticides) Low Drift status by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate. Micron Varidome, Spraydome, Undavina and Spraymiser Boom sprayers (both CDA and HiFlo models) have all achieved a four star LERAP accreditation – the highest rating currently available in the UK – which recognises the sprayers as a DRT (Drift Reducing Technology) with proven drift potential reduction of more than 90%. The wind tunnel testing carried out in conjunction with Silsoe Spray Applications Unit to support the LERAP application had shown that the shields actually have the potential to reduce spray drift by over 95%, with no drift at all recorded using the Varidome shield and CDA nozzles. Reducing drift potential by more than 90% Self-propelled potato harvesters equipped with new innovations