“ TRAMSPREAD started umbilical contracting 25 years ago with a single axle EDPU that enabled one tractor to carry everything needed . Following the introduction of the random wrap hose reel , our contracting trailers were modified to carry 1000 metres of detachable hose reel spool and were equipped

Tramspread ’ s new twin axle contractor trailer .

with a front 3-point linkage allowing us to carry the random wrap reel coupled with a further 1000m of hose on the front of the tractor .”

The contractor trailer evolved to a twin axle model which was introduced in 2012 . It has an extended chassis enabling it to carry two , 1000 metre , detachable hose reel spools and , if

needed , a further 1000 metres on the front 3-point linkage to provide a total of 3000 metres .

Using the contractor trailer , Tramspread Contracting Ltd applies over 450,000 cubic metres of slurry and digestate , with up to 70 % being applied in the spring as a top dressing . “ All slurry applications are monitored and recorded using John Deere ’ s Green Star , a Krone flow meter and Ravenbox software linked to the tractor ’ s ISOBUS . This allows us to record the applied rate per hectare and total cubic metres applied . With the use of an AGROS N testing kit we can also advise our customers of the applied available nitrogen per hectare too ,” explains Mr Baker .

In 2007 Tramspread manufactured the first random wrap

The Tramspread random wrap reel has been in production for 15 years .

hose reel after Mr Baker had seen similar units being used in Holland . The reel is made with a twin hydraulic motor drive and drop out spools . “ This allows one 3-point linkage frame to handle many spools , making it very cost effective . The spool has a capacity of 1000 metres of both 4 and 5 inch drag hose ,” he says .

At the same time , Tramspread introduced Storz hose end

Tramspread ’ s first contractor trailer was manufacturing 25 years ago .

couplings , which revolutionised the laying out and picking up of the drag hose . “ The combination of Storz couplings and the power of the twin hydraulic motors enabled 600 metres to 800 metres of drag hose to be reeled in one length . This removed the need to couple and uncouple every 200-metre length of hose which is necessary with a segmented conventional hose reeler ,” he concludes .