Written by Fentech Agri
Fentech Agri has introduced some major changes into its product range for 2024. Including a facelift on all older machines to reduce the number of parts and streamline the manufacturing while increasing quality and aligning with current safety regulations. The hopper capacities have also slightly increased over previous models to all be greater than 1000L on the small 3m machines.
Fentech Agri can now also offer front hoppers, with single or dual product meters. This opens up the possibilities of utilising the seeders for companion cropping, fertiliser and slug pellet application along with the main seed. Alternatively the baffles are removable to allow a single product filling the complete 1800L hopper. Combined with a new uprated control system from MC electronics, there are a number of new possibilities including blockage sensing and seed counting, with the aim to move away from kg/ha calibration to seeds per square meter in the future. The rear hopper folding drills have also had the same option added with a 60:40 split hopper and dual metering if required. The overall capacity still remains at 1700L. The introduction of a 4.8m lightweight tine version of the drill was launched at Lamma. This is aimed at contractors and farmers alike requiring higher output pasture work combined with a mix of direct drilled arable.
Fentech Agri are also expanding their range of rake type cultivators but are keen to emphasize the machinery range in this area is a very different animal to a straw rake. The main issue with a straw rake, if trying to achieve a stale seedbed, is they have a tendency to move the straw around and loosen the soil which dries out and without rain will not result in a weed chit. The Fentech agri Commander with it’s integrated Tillso rubber roller, consolidates giving seed to soil contact to enable the weed chit. The tine used on the Commander range is also far more aggressive than a standard straw rake and the vibrating action of the tine creates tilth. The machines are heavy and that weight can be loaded onto the tines to cultivate into the top 50mm of the profile. The patented rubber roller creates consolidation far superior to a standard Cambridge roll, you would have to roll in three different directions to achieve the same effect. Fentech Agri are planning to introduce a 6m demo machine into the range this year on a hire or contracting basis to show the advantages of this system. A mounted version is also available which is eligible for the FETF funding.
As well as running a 4.8m Simtech drill on demo this spring, the intention is to also offer demos of the well known Tillso Advantage, rain damage will be prevalent this year as the soil has sunk in most areas of the country, washing any fine particles through, creating problem pans. The soil profile needs lifting and aerating to give roots any chance of reaching the nutrients. The patented Tillso tine is able to lift and drop the soil profile to create fissures and break up the pan without disturbing on the surface, again, an essential tool in the system.
With the current pressures in farming, reduction of input costs, adoption of no-till and direct drilling and associated SFI payments machinery choice is more important than ever. Fentech Agri are always happy to discuss various options to help you improve your farming system.
See them in the Drill Arena for Direct Driller @Cereals 11th & 12th June, Bygrave Woods, Newnham Farm, Herts
