Will Osgerby’s five Lowlander 175 HBD spreaders

Highly sophisticated manure spreaders have been growing the application business for Will Osgerby in East Yorkshire as his customers turn to increased precision to get more from their manures.

Weigh cells, GPS and variable rate application are all essential features on Will Osgerby’s five Bunning Lowlander 175 HBD manure spreaders, and when run in conjunction with his tractor’s telematics software, it allows the spreading team to have repeatable accuracy on every load.

The business began 14 years ago when Will took over a neighbouring manure spreading operation and he immediately upgraded the spreading fleet to increase precision, as he explains. “When I began, we ran a brace of Bunning twin vertical auger (TVA) machines as there wasn’t a big demand for spring spreading. Most customers just wanted manure applied after the combine, and the TVA models offered the most efficient way to do it. It wasn’t until we started getting a lot of spring spreading demand that things began to change.”

Will wanted to match the accuracy he was getting from his arable machines at the 200ha Shrubbery Farm at Sunk Island, near Hull, which is tenanted from the Crown Estate. GPS, section control and variable rate application were commonplace on his arable machinery, and he saw no reason why the manure spreading fleet should be any different. “I always want to be the most precise and efficient as possible and this means using the latest technology that is available.”

TVA to HBD

By 2016, the fleet of spreaders had grown to three Lowlander 150 Hybrid TVA models, however, the move from TVA spreaders to HBD machines began in 2017 as the demand grew for higher output and greater accuracy spreading over wider widths. “We needed to be as refined and precise as we could be and wanted to offer something bespoke that no one else was doing at the time.”

One of the main reasons was to improve the quality of the spread. With weigh cells, Will knew how much he was spreading each year and could tailor rates to suit different fields and products, but to apply to greater widths and improve the consistency of material, upgrading to HBD spreaders was the next step.

The growth in spring applications for arable growers was also a big reason, as the market was seeing manures in a different light. “Spring topdressing has become a huge part of our workload and was one of the reasons for the HBD machines as we can stay to existing tramlines. When we began, our spring workload was two weeks of the year, whereas we are now out with a pair of spreaders for ten weeks in the spring.”

The first Lowlander 175 HBD arrived in 2017 and is still part of the fleet today, which Will says proves the longevity of the machines. On average, each machine handles 30,000t per year, which would have been considerably more for the 2017 model as it was a front-line spreader for several years. The three new machines run together, with the two older models handling work closer to home. The spreading area extends north to Driffield, across to York, and as far south as north Lincolnshire.

“We have just been through the 2017 model, and it’s still in as good condition as the newer machines. Bunning is a family business and I know most of the team very well, the spreaders are built to last despite all the different materials we throw at them. We spec them high because it benefits us when we use them but also maintains good residuals.”

Tractor integration

With five identical spreaders now providing accurate applications to wider widths, Will can run a gang of two and a gang of three spreaders to be in two places at once and maintain outputs.

“We charge by the hour, which may be different to some manure spreading contractors but allows us to account for haulage as well as spreading. If the manure heap is in the field, then with three spreaders we’ll shift 1,000t a day. However, if the heap is a mile down the road, there is a cost to that haulage. Sometimes we go to a farm and expect a 1,000t heap but it has rotted down to be 700t, so it makes it fair for all by charging hourly.”

Running multiple spreaders in one field whilst minimising overlaps and avoiding double applying areas means seamless integration with his John Deere tractors. Each Lowlander spreader is run on a JD 6215 R and all tractors run on Greenstar GPS with live coverage maps, and the spreaders are also controlled through the John Deere screen via Isobus.

With split teams, the advantages of using one system that the spreaders seamlessly communicate with, and the sharing of A/B lines and boundaries to increase accuracy and minimise errors, has been essential.

“Each operator can see where the other spreader has already spread. If a machine has run out part way down a tramline, a full spreader using the same guidance line will automatically switch on at the point the previous spreader ran out, which is great for light products that are hard to see. Each spreader has section control on headlands so it will switch off to minimise overapplication, which is crucial on high nutrient products such as chicken litter.”

The Data Sync integration allows him to send jobs directly to the team and Will can see live data on where each machine is and work records. Customer reporting is also possible, with accurate tonnages provided by the spreader’s on-board weigh cells. Biosolid applications for water companies wouldn’t be possible without the technology. “We have to show that we are trained to spread the product and all application maps are provided to comply with legislation. This is a job that would be so much harder without the technology,” concludes Will.

The importance of weigh cells

Application accuracy is a significant consideration for farmers and growers as the value of organic manures continues to increase. Ben Johnson, UK and Ireland sales manager at GT Bunning and Sons, says using weigh cells via Isobus allows users to accurately measure every tonne that passes through the spreaders and adjust target application rates during operation.

“Weigh cells allow the operator to enter a target rate into the controller, which the spreader will then achieve by controlling the floor speed in relation to the tractor’s forward speed, which means every tonne is applied at the correct rate.”

Operators can see ‘live’ weighing from the four, 20-tonne weigh cells located under the spreader body. This gives further insight for the operator to help manage logistics of fill ups in the field and limit the number of empty runs, to help reduce soil compaction. Weigh cells are a factory fitted option on all Bunning spreaders and support with setting up and maintaining the technology is handled in-house, without the need to involve a third party.

“Weigh cells are available on our full range of machines from 6t twin vertical auger spreaders to 40t tri-axle machines. This technology has benefits to every user, regardless of spreader size or output, as it allows detailed recording of every load and full control over application rates in every field.”

Mr Johnson says that the Isobus ECU on the spreader allows integration with any compatible Isobus screen on the market. Two further screen options – Topcon XD and XD+ – offer users sophisticated control of the spreader and the option to integrate with third party systems to display guidance, precision farming and variable rate application from prescription maps. The interface options offer users quick access to the main spreader settings.

“It is especially useful for farmers and contractors spreading a variety of products throughout the year at varying application rates. Not all products are the same consistency, so being able to adjust the target rate to suit the material during operation will make the most from every application.”