| Potatoes
Elite operator and
management control now
comes as standard
Greencrop Irrigation, the UK importer of Irrimec Hose Reel
Irrigators, has offered the Elite range of Irrimec irrigators
since its launch in early 2016. The latest range is designed
with the professional grower in mind who demand reliable
and easy-to-operate irrigation systems that require simple
maintenance.
reencrop is pleased
to announce that
the range is now
supplied with the
‘Dosicontrol Pro’
computer control
as standard, previously an optional
extra. The ‘Dosicontrol Pro’ is a
GSM system that provides
diagnostic information and has the
ability to record hours worked and
water used for improved operator
and management convenience.
The Elite 730 and 735 offer a
range of hose diameters, from
100mm to 140mm, and hose length
options, up to 580m long. The
intention is to offer longer hose
lengths with the introduction of the
new Elite 800 series, which is now
available.
The attention to detail starts with
each machine being steel shot
G
blasted, then painted in epoxy
anti-corrosive primer, with a final
coat of oven baked polyurethane
paint for a superb long lasting finish.
Trolleys are hot galvanized.
The drive system continues with
the proven Irrimec design. The
drum is driven from one side by a
cut gear ring positioned on the
outer diameter of the drum. Unlike a
chain drive, the hose drum is driven
by a low-torque gear drive, which is
positive and low wearing. Drum
bearings are now fitted with an auto
lube cartridge ensuring problem
free reliability. The turbine drive
retains Irrimec’s patented partial
flow “Turbimec” system,
interchangeable for flows of 10-
130mc/hr at low inlet pressure.
For more durability during long
demanding irrigation periods, the
chassis’ are constructed of large
steel frames using a 5mm thick box
section. The hydraulic legs are 50%
larger with built-in internal rams for
improved weather resistance and
are designed to exert a central push
against the drum for added stability.
All of the guards are now
manufactured in steel for increased
durability and to enhance the
appearance of the machine. The
gun lift frame is also 50% larger,
pivoting higher on the machine for
additional strength and reliable
operation.
The Elite is supplied with a full
hydraulic system for operation of
the jack, turntable and legs with the
control levers now mounted on its
own adjustable stand at the front of
the machine. This can be adjusted
to the right or left hand side of the
drum, therefore when turning the
drum into the work position you are
always in the line of sight to position
the trolley in the correct row, making
the machine set up easier.
The reinforced turntable gear and
hose guide has not one but four
metal bearing rollers guiding the
hose onto the drum, aiding drum
rewinding and improving hose
durability. Gun trolleys are
self-pivoting, have been made
50% stronger, are fitted with wheel
weights and have a double support
wheel for the hose.
The machines are available with
either a single or tandem axle
chassis, with a large range of tyres.
For further information on any of
our Greencrop products, please
contact your nearest dealer or
contact Howard Chantry on 01328
701992 or email
[email protected]
Potato stock levels & ‘drawdown’ at
record levels
Potato stock levels reached a record 2.4 million tonnes in
January – up 25 per cent on last year, according to the
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
he latest data
survey also
showed that the
rate at which they
were drawn from
store was also at
its highest level since 2010, when
AHDB began measuring stock.
According to the new figures,
GB stock levels held by growers
rose by 492,000 tonnes compared
to the 2017 end-January estimate.
And from November to January
2018. 1.19 million tonnes were
drawn from grower’s stores –
226,000 more than the same
period last season and 14 per cent
higher than the five-year average
drawdown rate.
Peter Collier, analyst at AHDB
said: “Retail sales of fresh
potatoes were up 3.6 per cent in
the three month period to the end
of January, as measured by Kantar
Worldpanel. While this is good
news, it does not entirely explain
the increase in drawdown rate.
“Another factor is a greater level
of grade outs in this year’s crop.
With quality reported as reduced
in 2017/18, there has been an
increased tonnage requirement to
T
20 | Farming Monthly | April 2018
meet specifications, as seen by
reports of a higher ‘out grade’
percentage than usual.”
AHDB Potatoes has released a
new storage dashboard on Potato
Data Centre, where users can
examine data on the region or
market sector pertinent to them.
The portal also includes the ability
to distinguish between stock held
that is intended to fill a ‘on-
contract’ purchase and stock for
the ‘free-buy’ market.
There is a chance, that despite
these record stock levels, the
market co