Amazone's ZG-TX combi spreader has received new features designed to improve accuracy and make operation easier.

The new features include an integrated weighing system and FlowControl automatic rate control for lime spreading.

Built for spreading both fertiliser and lime, Amazone says the ZG-TX is a popular choice for farmers, contractors and plant hire businesses.

This access to precision features along with its accuracy at spreading both lime and fertiliser makes it a well-equipped, "versatile" machine, according to Amazone.

Weighing system

A new integrated weighing system is now available for the ZG-TX, which gives operators accurate hopper fill level information.

According to Amazone, this will also make it easier to set spread rates for both lime and fertiliser.

The system uses two weigh cells mounted between the axle and frame, along with a sensor in the drawbar, to continuously measure the load.

All information for the weighing system is displayed on the ISOBUS terminal, allowing operators to quickly calibrate application rates for both lime and fertiliser.

After spreading a known amount of material, the system checks the hopper weight and automatically calculates the calibration factor.

This removes the need to manually measure bulk density and helps ensure accurate application across a wider range of products.

When combined with the ZG-TX's optional work lights add-on, the system can also help during filling.

Originally, the lights helped agricultural operators to gauge the fill of their spreader at night, and flashed once a certain height had been reached to avoid spillage and waste.

The lights now work with the weighing system. They flash to indicate the hopper fill level and show when the target weight has been reached.

This will help operators to be even more accurate with loads when filling their spreader and avoid overfilling.

When the ZG-TX first launched, weigh cells were "not an option at all", according to Farmhand.

Despite this, Amazone purpose built fertiliser spreaders have been using weigh cells for more than a decade.

This shows the modernisation the ZG-TX is receiving with this update, allowing for all the precision-based features on fertiliser spreaders to be incorporated on a combi spreader.

FlowControl

According to Amazone, the updated combi spreader has a new feature which automates spread rate regulation for lime - FlowControl.

The system uses torque measurement technology through newly developed gearboxes to monitor and adjust the flow of material.

This is achieved by continuously measuring the torque of the spreading discs.

This technology has already proven effective when used in fertiliser-spreading applications.

Operators simply enter the target application rate, and FlowControl automatically monitors and adjusts material flow during operation.

According to Amazone, this helps "maintain a consistent spread rate and improves accuracy", even when working with lime products that vary in quality or characteristics.

Availability

These technology updates are available on all ISOBUS-equipped ZG-TX modes.

This includes the ZG-TX Super and the ZG-TX Special, which have maximum permissible weights of 21 tonnes and 12.5 tonnes respectively.

Amazone believes these new features will help operators using ZG-TX spreaders achieve "greater accuracy, improve efficiency and maintain consistent application rates across a wide range of spreading materials and operating conditions".

The machine is available from Farmhand, Ireland's exclusive Amazone distributor.