Evo Muck Spreaders - Case Study

New spreaders ensure accurate application.

W Dale & Son of Bridge Hewick, North Yorks are farm contractors specialising in the supply and precison spreading of locally produced, domestic waste compost, both pass 100 and non pass 100 grades composted by Yorwaste.

Nick Dale points out that as fertiliser prices have increased, the availability of this cheaper, organic alternative has made it very popular with local growers. He also believes there is a practical benefit in its use. ìArtificial fertiliser works like Red Bull: its effect is dramatic but relatively short term, this organic fertiliser is slower to release its nutrients and is adding
organic matter so it acts more like a good nights sleep for the soil!î

Nick operates a pair of K Two Evo 1400 muck spreaders. As the name suggests these are specially developed spreaders designed for use with composts and other organic matter. He is particularly impressed by their uniform spread of up to 12 m, compared to his previous spreaders which gave 9 on a good day and less in wet conditions. And there are no longer any large lumps thanks to the specially designed and evenly spaced spiral beaters (wider and stronger than fitted on most spreaders) which spin faster and give a uniform spread.

Nick has fitted an RDS Loadmaster weighing system to his Case loading shovel so he knows just how much compost has been allocated to each field. The drivers then set up their New Holland tractors and the Evo spreaders for optimum application across a given area, GPS gives unrivalled accuracy avoiding unnecessary double dosing. In fact Nick and his team can work out the application to within 0.1 ton or less, averaging 30 ton to the hectare.

He was impressed that K Two Sales were ready to listen to his input and believes that the results are fit for purpose. ìYou need precision spreading or you dont get the full benefit of the compostî explains Nick.

The Evo is fitted with two dynamically balanced vertical rotors with 950 mm flights and 1,250 mm large spreading paddles. These are driven by a 180 hp heavy duty one piece gear box protected by shearbolt and automatic slip clutch. The high tensile 10 mm thick rotors achieve tip speed in excess of 40 mph from 1000 rpm input. Four 16 mm marine floor chains provide 120 tonnes of breaking strain, hydraulically driven by a large 75 mm rear drive shaft c/w high tensile drive sprockets. These are electronically operated from within the cab. Bolt on floor slats effectively convey the load along the 1.6 m on the floor with an impressive 2.4 m wide flare at the top. The slurry door guides muck to the beaters to achieve a consistent spread pattern of between 12 and 24 m.

Evo models are fitted with 150 mm square commercial axles with 420 x 180 S-Cam brakes plus hydraulic folding light assemblies.

 

Fit For Purpose: The Evo 1400

C J & J M Huyton are dairy farmers and contractors of Bolton By Bowland, Lancashire. They have benefited from the increased local use of human sludge cake or man muck as David Huyton calls it.

ìTheres not much you get in this world that is both free and does goodî says David but thats currently the situation with this particular alternative fertiliser. ìSome years ago United Utilities were spreading 90% of it on the moors just to get rid of it. Now that has been reversed as the word spread among local farmers of just how good it is for their fieldsî.

Fertiliser has got more expensive and the long term benefits of this organic alternative are clear to see. Two or three months after application, the fields are still green.

David is spreading two grades: lime treated, a grey slag, and digested which looks like black top soil. While both have the same nitrogen and phosphate benefits, regular use of the lime treated is often followed by the digested to redress the lime content in the soil. Also the lime treated is not always viable during dry spells as it can burn the vegetation, although it soon recovers.

Huytons purchased two K Two Evo 1400 muck spreaders in the Spring and they are currently carting and spreading up to 12 miles from their farm. This is a specially developed spreader for compost and waste, although it is quite at home with traditional farmyard muck.

ìOur previous spreaders had a tendency to mass the sludge cake into lumps, whereas the Evo 1400 has specially designed and evenly spaced spiral beaters (wider and stronger than fitted on most spreaders) which spin faster and give a uniform spread across 12 m without lumpsî says David who was particularly impressed with the K Two build quality and the personal service he receives from the company.

The Evo 1400 is the same length as the 10 ton spreaders they replaced, but provide 40% more loading capacity. The two machines are in use all the year round responding to the needs of the local farmers.