Cover Story: Joskin Modulo-2 slurry tanker

By: Mark Fouhy, Photography by: Lisa Potter

Date: 23.07.2018

Quality construction, pump protection systems, and the Penditwist boom are some of the winning features of the Joskin Modulo-2 slurry tanker. Farm Trader reviews.

Cars are a lot like agricultural machinery. You can buy cheap like the Russian Lada of the ’90s (which came with rear window heaters to keep your hands warm while pushing it), or you can opt for a high-performance sports car like a Lamborghini. Whatever you’re after, there is a car to suit your needs and budget. Agricultural machinery is much the same, with a wide variety of equipment available to farmers and contractors, from budget through to premium/high spec.

Recently, I caught up with Origin Agroup Ltd – the New Zealand importers for Joskin machinery – to check out the Joskin Modulo-2 14,000 with jumbo arm and 12-metre Penditwist spreading boom. Relating it back to car terms, the Joskin Modulo-2 slurry tanker brings the performance and specs of a luxury vehicle with the price tag of an entry-level model.

The Belgium-made range of Joskin machinery has been available for more than 50 years, producing a wide range of slurry tankers as well as spreading equipment, trailed, and harvesting equipment. The Modulo-2 we tested is a basic unit, although still high on features.

As the name ‘Modulo’ suggests, it is somewhat modular, built to specifications that advance the machine. Different spreading equipment can be pre-equipped at a later date. It is available in either single or tandem axle set-ups, with a capacity from 2500 to 18,000 litres.

After days of heavy rain, it was great to glimpse the sun for our test day. However, the soggy ground was not ideal for a large 14,000-litre tanker, tractor, and full load. The test site (in Eureka on the outskirts of Hamilton) on new grass planted after harvesting maize proved a good challenge.

Fill and go

Filling the Joskin tanker is quick and easy. The eight-inch fill pipes and funnel support are carried on the side of the tanker. The jumbo arm pivots from the centre of the tank at the front, allowing it to easily change to left- or right-hand filling. Loaded up with water from the nearby irrigation pond, it was a relief to discover that the dual axle flotation tyres
didn’t sink in leaving ruts and the steering rear axle prevented scuffing of the grass on corners.

It’s fair to say that operation of the unit would be a handful if it wasn’t equipped with load sensing hydraulics and touchscreen control for functions. The touchscreen allows quick selection of the spreading device from the list of options; in this case, the Penditwist 12-metre spreading boom with a simple switchbox inside the tractor cab controlling the folding in and out of the boom.

Construction

Aside from the pumps, all other major components of the Joskin Modulo-2 slurry tankers are made in-house. This allows Joskin to ensure the quality of manufacturing, utilising the best of technology, with robotic welding and skilled engineers to produce the final product.

The material used for construction is also important. Using high tensile steel for the construction allows Joskin to provide strength without excessive weight. It is also important for the tanker’s longevity. Working across rough farmland, especially with movement from fluid loads, tanks have baffles to help minimise load surge.

The final key point for slurry handling equipment is the hot dip galvanising finish – the best protection against the corrosive nature of effluent – which is also done in-house by Joskin. The Joskin Modulo-2 tanks, chassis, and spreading attachments are all galvanised.

Tyres

Large BKT 650/55R 26.5 flotation tyres spread the weight of the large tanker as much as possible to minimise soil compaction while the steering rear axle helps minimise pasture damage when turning in paddocks.

The tanker and chassis are made independently of the twin axle bogie unit. This allows the position of the wheels to be altered to suit the weight at the rear, depending on the spreading unit, or put more weight on the tractor for traction. The V-shaped drawbar can also be flipped for high or low hitching.

For me, the main feature of the running gear set-up is the Joskin rollover bogie system. In layman’s terms, it looks like your leaf spring set upside down with the axles mounted on top of the ends of the leaves. This system is designed to push the front axle over obstacles to decrease the power required to pull it. This system is also used on the heavy-duty Joskin construction trailers.

Filling

To maximise efficiency for high-capacity tankers such as the Joskin Modulo-2 14000L, a fill arm is the answer. The machine we tested had a Jumbo matic arm fitted. This incorporates hydraulic pump changeover, so you don’t have to get off the tractor while filling.

The fill arm’s central mounting position offers the option of left- or right-hand filling. Right-hand filling is generally the easiest, with both pressure gauge and sight glass to show how full the tank is. The eight-inch filling hose is carried on the mudguards along the side.

The funnel head can also be carried on the side of the tanker for the convenience of shifting between farms. With flexibility in the funnel, it is easy to make a quick secure connection to fill. The sequential hydraulic block makes the process easy, only requiring the one double acting valve to control all the hydraulic functions.

A turbo filler can be added as an option to the jumbo arm to decrease filling time. You can also spec without a filling arm and fill with either a six- or eight-inch pipe from the side of the tanker.

Pumping

The vacuum pump system creates an atmospheric pressure difference in order to fill or empty the tanker. By creating a vacuum, slurry is sucked. When spreading, the tank is pressurised by the pump, which allows it to expel the slurry.

With an average fill time of four to five minutes depending on the composition of the effluent. The pumps are the one component not manufactured by Joskin, instead opting for proven models from Jurop (used by many tanker manufacturers).

However, the eco features Joskin adds to the pumps makes the difference, ensuring trouble-free use by avoiding pump issues. The Eco Pump system collects any waste oil from the pump, which would otherwise just go on the ground – not overly environmentally friendly.

A muffler cuts down noise within safe decibel ratings of 25.7 in filling phase compared to standard pumps of 93.7 and 19.5 in spreading phase compared to the 53.7. With the air inlet located up high, clean air is sucked into the pump minimising wear in this area.

A pressure relief valve is also included to decrease the chance of the pump overheating. Further, pump protection includes a 30-litre syphon/water trap, which collects the water/foam, preventing it from getting to the pump and causing damage.

Spreading equipment

For years, the basic spreader plate system has been the standard spreading system fitted to slurry tankers. Available for the Joskin Modulo range of tankers, these are a cheaper initial purchase option.

Joskin, however, also makes a wide range of spreading booms and injectors. The machine we tested was fitted with a 12-metre Penditwist. This is made up of 30cm spreading hoses, spring loaded to keep them in place spreading effluent at root level, rather than covering the whole plant.

With the Penditwist dribble boom, you can lose up to 20% nitrogen whereas with a splash plate option, you can lose up to 80% from the slurry due to atomisation with the atmosphere. This application method is more efficient and retains slurry nutrients.

Another basic improvement adding to the versatility of the Penditwist boom is the manual valve adjustment on each side, allowing you to increase/decrease the amount you apply depending on soil conditions or other factors.

With a safety lock preventing accidental folding out of the boom in transport, the two-piece boom switches between its transport width of three metres to fully extended work mode in less than a minute. When in work mode, the rear Cat II linkage lowers the boom into position.

Hydraulic accumulators help protect the boom from damage from rough paddock conditions. The half-metre approximate length of the spreading hoses mounted on spring tines help handle other bumps and paddock undulations. If the Penditwist spreader option doesn’t suit you, Joskin produces a wide range of other spreading options compatible with the Modulo-2 tanks.

Verdict

I can see why Joskin is the market leader in slurry tanks. Key points for me were the quality of construction throughout and the materials used to combat the corrosive nature of effluent to ensure the longevity of the machine.

The pump protection systems help with the smooth operation of the most expensive part. The Penditwist boom is a great option to make better use of the effluent that needs spreading.

Joskin produces a wide range of options for their tankers, so units can be spec’d up for individual requirements, making what would otherwise be a dirty job a whole lot easier. With a large range of tank sizes in the Modulo-2 range, there is a tank to suit most farming and contracting situations.

Joskin Modulo-2 slurry tanker Specifications

Pluses

• Quality build and galvanised tank and chassis
• Enviro features of the Eco Pump system
• Left- or right-hand filling ability of the Jumbo filling arm
• Penditwist spreading boom to maximise effluent spread efficiency with minimal environmental impact
• Easy touchscreen function control or ISOBUS connectivity

Minuses

• Initial set-up and operation is slightly more complicated than more basic slurry tankers. However, the Origin Agroup or your local dealer can help get it up and running to maximise its benefits

Keep up to date in the industry by signing up to Farm Trader's free newsletter or liking us on Facebook