The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2019 - Issue 62 | Page 63

MACHINERY 63
• APR/MAY 2019
KUHN Extends VENTA Pneumatic Seed Drill Range
KUHN Farm Machinery has extended
its VENTA pneumatic seed drill range
with the addition of 1010 series
machines. In combination with KUHN’s
HR power range, the drills are suited
to working at varying seeding depths
in a wide range of soil conditions.
AVAILABLE in 3.0m, 3.5m and
4.0m working widths, this new
series of drills has seeding units
equipped with Suffolk coulters
and adds to a current VENTA
range that includes the 1020 series
with double disc coulters and
1030 series machines with KUHN’s
SEEDFLEX precision coulter bar.
Suffolk coulter seeding units
on the 1010 series machines allow
the optimum seeding depth to
be maintained via an adjustable
depth stop. Each seeding unit
operates with 35kg of pressure.
As with all VENTA drills, ma-
chines have a volumetric fluted
metering unit with large splines for
‘ Seeding rates
can be set from
the tractor cab
at between 1 and
430 kg/ha
’
larger seeds (wheat, barley, peas,
beans, etc.) and small splines for
smaller seeds such as rape and
alfalfa. Seeding rates can be set
from the tractor cab at between 1
and 430 kg/ha. A remote calibra-
tion “start button”, located close
to the VENTA’s metering unit,
makes calibrating the machine
easy to achieve without the need
to go back into the tractor cab
to access the drill’s main control
panel.
Operating in combination,
tillage and seeding are carried
out independently due to a roller
frame design which effectively
separates the two functions. This
patented design allows for a more
compact unit and enables the two
units to be uncoupled in less than
10 minutes.
VENTA 1010 series drills are avail-
able with 1,500 litre and 1,800 litre
hopper capacities. LED lighting is
fitted on the hopper’s metering
unit as standard, allowing the
possibility of night work.
Alternative Fuel Solution:
Methane-Powered Concept Tractor
WITH its Clean Energy Leader
strategy, launched in 2006, New
Holland pioneered the use of
alternative fuels. In 2013, the Brand
presented its first T6 Methane
Power tractor prototype, which
has been further developed and
tested with customers in France
and other European countries.
The Methane-Powered Concept
Tractor on display at SIMA is the
synthesis and summit of this de-
velopment.
It combines visionary design
with advanced and sustainable
methane combustion – thus
guaranteeing extra-low CO2
emissions. The engine has been
specifically developed for agricul-
tural applications by FPT Industri-
al, the powertrain Brand of CNH
Industrial, and is based on over 20
years of natural gas experience,
with more than 30,000 natural gas
engines produced for truck and
bus applications.
The 6-cylinder engine delivers
the same power (180 hp) and
torque (740 Nm) as its standard
Diesel equivalent, the same dura-
bility and service intervals – while
providing running cost savings
that can reach 30%.
In real field conditions, this trac-
tor produces at least 10% lower
CO2 emissions and 80% lower
pollutant emissions compared to
a standard Diesel tractor. When
fuelled by biomethane produced
from renewable sources, the CO2
emissions are virtually zero.
This tractor is a vital link in the
Energy Independent FarmSM
concept, a sustainable “closed-
loop” virtuous cycle of farming:
from fields to energy generation,
and back to fields. The process
reduces environmental impact
allowing a safe and productive use
of agricultural or animal waste (as
well as specifically-grown energy
crops), and produces fuel-grade
biomethane in anaerobic digester
plants. Excess energy may power
local communities or be sold to
the grid, while the by-products of
biodigestion are natural fertilizers
for the farm’s fields.
A station for fast
CNG fueling
A CNG (compressed
natural gas) fueling
station will also be
displayed beside
the tractor.
In collaboration
with Cirrus, lead-
ing manufacturer of
compressors and fueling
stations, we will allow visitors to
experience how a methane-pow-
ered tractor could be filled on an
individual basis.
The station will
include the com-
pressor, a storage
tank aimed to speed
up the fueling cycle as
well as an illustration on how
could this station be connected
to the grid: a specific gasometer
will show tax benefits compared
to the gas used for household
application .
Screens will display the inter-
active map of France showing
all cities supplied by the gas grid
managed by national operator
GRDF.
www.newholland.com