Page 13 - Vol.36-No.8 issue

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT & SERVICE

NEW ROBOT TO CLEAN SOLID FLOORS IN

CATTLE SHEDS LAUNCHED

A NEW robot to clean the manure from Joz recommends the robot should clean
solid floors in cattle sheds has been the floor every two hours. Both models are
launched by Dutch company powered by two 12V batteries that fully
charge in up to two hours.
The latest innovation called the Barn-E is
available in two sizes; 155cms as standard The shed must have at least 70cm free
or an extra wide version of 185cms. They headroom for the Barn-E to move freely
have been designed to clean all types of within it and there must be enough spaces
solid floors such as concrete and rubber. for the cows to pass the robot when it’s in
to determine the routes. A detailed sketch use.
Using the latest technology to move map is set up by the dealer before installa-
around, the Barn-E actually picks up the tion to assess the best routes for the robot. The batteries are charged automatical-
manure, stores it via a rotating feeder and ly at the charging station which is at the
then drives to the discharge point, where it Farmers gain access to the route man- discharge location. After each route the
deposits the collected manure. The Barn-E ager app and can use this to easily adjust manure robot returns to this discharge lo-
has a storage capacity of 370 litres on the the schedule and routes via smartphone or cation where the collected manure is de-
smaller unit and 500 litres on the 185cms PC/laptop. posited and the battery recharged. This
wide model. The Barn-E maintains contact with the Joz can be done at a location out of reach of
Capable of speeds up to 6.5 metres per access point, which is a separate element the cows.
minute the Barn-E follows transponders in that is placed within a radius of 60 metres The manure robot is also resistant to
the floor but can also move independently from the manure robot. The access point is splashing, so it can also deposit the col-
navigating autonomously without using the connected to a fixed internet connection lected manure outside the barn. Farmers
guides. and forms the central point through which can therefore place the charging location
contact can be made with the robot via the outside, but the company recommends this
The units use the company’s new soft- route manager app. area is covered.
ware, Joz SAM (Surface Area Management),
Circle 15 on enquiry card
IRISH COMPANY KELTEC LAUNCHES FIRST

STEERABLE FRONT MOWER

so remains under the control of the driver bearings specified for the moving parts.
at all times. These features ensure that the mowers will
stand up to the punishment of long hard
Key to the ability of the mower to swing silage seasons in the heaviest of forage
in either direction is a redesign of the crops.
mounting linkage to allow lateral move-
ment between the tractor and mower. The
hydraulically cushioned floatation is not
affected by the mechanism and the cutting
IRISH machinery manufacturer Kelt- performance is still excellent.
ec has launched what it believes to be the
first front mounted mower with steering as The cutting width of all the company’s
a standard feature. With a 3m cutting width mowers is 3m (10 feet) and this unit is no
the new model can be steered from the exception. The cutting bar is supplied
cab to eliminate uncut strips of grass when by Comer of Italy who have an enviable
turning or running alongside bends in the reputation in producing these compo-
headland. nents. There are seven discs each with two
blades.
This, the Limerick based company be- If used in conjunction with the rear
lieves, is the first time that such a feature The crop is conditioned with forked steel mounted mowers already available from
has been available on a standard mower tines and the degree of processing can be Keltec the new mower combination pro-
rather than as a third party conversion. controlled by an adjustable steel hood. As vides a 9.5 metre cut. The standard fixed
It was designed in response to feedback an option the end skirts can be folded hy- front mower will continue to be manufac-
from the many contractor customers of the draulically. tured.
company’s present range. All Keltec products are designed and The full model range comprises trailed
The angle of the mower in relation to the built in the heart of Ireland’s dairy coun- and mounted versions of the 3m design as
tractor is directed via a ram which moves try where heavy crops and often irregular well a butterfly set. A novel feature of these
the entire unit through an arc of approxi- field conditions prevail. mowers is that they use auger groupers
mately 16 degrees. This is operated from As a safeguard, heavy gauge steel is rather than belts which can save up to a
a double acting spool valve in the cab and used throughout and generously sized tonne in weight, putting far less stress on
the tractor’s rear end.
Circle 16 on enquiry card
Vol. 36 No. 8 11