Amazone hoes the line
The acquisition of the Schmotzer Hacktechnik range sees the reintroduction of mechanical hoes to the Amazone cultivation line-up, offering a comprehensive range of weed control options
"In the future, the concept of ‘plant protection’ is going to mean a lot more than the application of chemicals, which are under enormous pressure from resistance and regulation," says Claas Harvest Centre product manager (Amazone) Steve Gorman.
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The single-row hydraulic parallelogram unit accurately tracks ground contours
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"Plant protection will encompass how these chemicals are applied in combination with non-chemical control measures, such as cultivation, sowing, variety selection, crop rotation, and management practices.
"It’s not inconceivable that farmers will reintroduce light cultivation to their cropping programme to control volunteer grain crops and weeds in fallow or to incorporate heavy stubble.
"Another approach is to increase row spacing to allow for mechanical weeding – or hoeing – between rows in the crop.
"Hoeing can significantly reduce spraying costs, kill resistant weeds, improve aeration and water absorption, as well as breaking capillary water drawing in soil.
"There is also the opportunity to apply a band spray or fertiliser at the same time." Steve says the Schmotzer portfolio, which includes a number of rear, front, or mid-axle mounted configurations in working widths up to nine metres and row widths from 16 to 200 cm, is an ideal fit with Amazone technology.
Under the arrangement, Schmotzer will continue to manufacture, sell, and service its implements under its own brand name.
Its heavy-duty designs incorporate a single-row hydraulic parallelogram unit that accurately tracks ground contours, even in large working widths, steeply-angled headlands or hilly terrain at speeds of up to 15km/h.
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