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AT Bone’s two Lowlander 280 HBD spreaders

Trading in three smaller manure spreaders for two larger Bunning models has increased daily outputs, improved application accuracy and allowed variable rate application for a large farming and contracting company.

Accurately applying more than 50,000t of compost and sewage sludge meant James Ashley, farm operations manager at AT Bone, needed precise machines that could cope with an intense workload at peak periods and match existing tramline widths to reduce compaction.

He explains: “We’ve run Bunning spreaders for 12 years and have always been impressed with the reliability and build quality of the machines. A key part of the investment was to increase capacity and accuracy but also utilise our on-farm soil mapping data through variable rate. Bunning’s Lowlander machines offered all this technology and, although we looked at other makes, the HBD models have everything we require and a brand we have confidence in.

“We spread a mixture of compost, gypsum and sewage sludge this year and as a business we don’t see the benefits of blanket applications so require variable rate technology to maximise the products. These are big fertiliser spreaders, and the manures are having a greater role in how we farm each year.”

James Ashley

AT Bone is a farming and contracting operation across 3,100ha of combine crops and a further 600ha of maize and sugar beet. The business is based in north Hertfordshire and operates across a 40-mile radius along the A1 corridor, with land inside the M25 motorway.

It traded in two Bunning Lowlander 150 HD TVA machines and a Lowlander 150 HBD to upgrade to the two Lowlander 280 HBD spreaders, which were launched last year to suit users spreading large volumes of lighter products, such as compost. It increases the carrying capacity over the previous largest Lowlander 230 HBD and means each machine can carry up to 28t of compost per load, depending on the product.

Variable rate essential

“We needed the new spreaders be as accurate as other machinery on the farm and operate technology seamlessly. Our older TVA models had a smaller spread width, and we were running across more of the land than we wanted to. We knew to achieve the accurate spread pattern at a wide enough width for us to apply vast quantities on manures, we had to invest in two high-capacity, spinning disc spreaders.”

The investment in the two Lowlander HBD models has increased carrying capacity by an average of 8t per load, but the improved accuracy of the twin disc application means spread width is now a comfortable 18m to allow a single run in-between the 36m tramlines.

Both models have weigh cell application via ISOBUS control, which allows easy setting changes and clear displays of machine readouts. Rate control is adjusted via the screen and the spreader will automatically match the floor speed to achieve the required rate. Variable rate application via prescription maps was a key addition for the farm to maximise the soil and crop data already gathered.

James says that the output and accuracy increases have been big advantages. “The weather dictates our work, so we need to be covering the ground quickly and accurately when we can. We have completed the spreading around 10 days earlier than with the old machines, which has huge advantages to the rest of the farm.

“The farm invests heavily in this nutrition, as we believe it is essential to build soil health and improve the following years’ crops, and this is only possible with precise application. Using technology such as weigh cells and variable rate, ensures it is spread evenly and to the rate required. We have soil mapping data, so applying manures based on this to increase nutrient values, is essential for us.”

Some basic tray tests, similar to those carried on granular fertiliser spreaders, were carried out when the spreaders arrived in 2023, and the results highlighted an even application across the 18m width

Operation logistics

Given the complexities that the business has regarding location, the operation runs like clockwork, and the pair of spreaders apply products efficiently following the combines to avoid any hold ups with the cultivation team.

James highlights this is what they require to match the efficiencies elsewhere on the farm. “We run three combines with chaser bins supported by our own lorries, so we can clear fields quickly. We needed spreaders with outputs that could slot in neatly between the combines leaving and the cultivators arriving. By handling the work in-house, we have complete control of the full harvest process.”

The 2024 spreading team start early, allowing a maximum window to achieve high daily outputs and maximise the available daylight. James explains.

“We keep three operators on the spreaders all season, one to load and two on the spreaders, as we feel they can then get the most from these machines. Some may think the loader is sat there waiting a lot of the time, but the guys manage it so one spreader is completing fields close to the pile, whereas the other machine starts at the furthest point, and they end up meeting in the middle. The spreading process and moving between fields would be much slower if we only had two drivers.”

Loading is handled by a Volvo loading shovel and the spreaders are powered by two hired John Deere 7R series tractors, which offer the capacity to spread wider than 18m should it be required when contracting. The spreaders have the optional border spreading deflector to maintain product accuracy on headlands.

Extra capacity

Additional work is possible in the future as the spreaders have been purchased to offer contracting support to other growers in the area. Yearly tonnages have increased with 40,000t in 2023, 50,000t in 2024 and a predicated 55,000t in 2025, with the spreaders capable of more if required.

“Daily outputs can be more than 1000t per spreader when we are spreading close to the heap, so we have the capacity and accuracy to help growers on a variety of widths and products. The investment in the two Bunning HBD spreaders will be set across a 10 year stay on the farm. We are confident to run them for this period as the build quality, technology and reliability have future-proofed them for years to come,” add James.

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