Blackgrass is back with a vengeance following two difficult seasons where poor autumn control has resulted in an increased demand for the pre-emergence herbicide Avadex Excel 15G and with it an accurate and safe application system.
A drop in sales of Avadex Excel 15G in 2000 led Horstine – the manufacturer of the preferred application system at the time called the TMA4 – to cease production of its applicator.
It is grower led demand for the applicator that has seen Horstine reintroduce an updated TMA4 fitted with several innovations including a new electronic control system to help improve the even and accurate application of granular Avadex.
However, it is perhaps the fact that it can be attached to the three point linkage or trailer mounted that gives the new TMA4 increased grower flexibility. It can also be used behind a quad bike, mule or small tractor and can be supplied without booms for use on a set of rolls or a drill. Drive to a new high capacity fan is controlled hydraulically when tractor mounted and by the engine when mounted onto a trailer.
The standard TMA4 comes fitted with a 12m manually folding, strong and robust boom with eight specially designed outlets positioned at 1.5m spacings. As with all Horstine precision applicators, each outlet is fed by its own individual metering rotor, with no distribution heads or splitters required. This system guarantees an even spread pattern across the full working width of the machine. A 380 litre hopper allows users to cover up to 25 hectares between fills, with the hoppers contents easily visible thanks to the translucent polyethylene build.
A Horstine Wizard Controller drives the metering unit which is ground speed related so application rate remains constant as forward speed changes. The new TMA4 requires no landwheel, with calibration now a simple automated process.
The TMA4 is available for purchase now, with deliveries starting in August 2014.
