Potato Review

MACHINERY ‘Near perfect’ sealing and pressing THE Vegniek DiscMaster Precision Haulm Puller, available on loan from Standen Imports, demonstrates near perfect sealing and pressing of the rows during the pass, according to those who have trialled it during 2022. e machine seals the crop inside the ridge and prevents crop damage as a result of exposure. Standen says it has a strong driveline, straight from tractor hydraulics, simple and e ective depth controls and low operating costs. e Vegniek DiscMaster comes in two and four-row models, with a six-row folding model available for next season. See our special haulm pulling feature on page 26 for details of Branston Ltd’s recent trial of the machine. Next-generation step to combat chemical waste KNIGHT Farm Machinery’s new “Active Rinse” system is a ‘next generation’ step in the battle against wasted chemical, according to the Rutland-based company. e system is claimed to help reduce the threat of spillages and leaks. It supplies fresh water to key parts of the machine, helping to ensure e cient use of chemicals by eliminating spray solution in certain parts of the sprayer and actively cleaning other parts during spraying. Knight o ers “Active Rinse” as optional equipment on its entire sprayer range and expects it to further reduce the environmental impact of plant protection products. It operates independently of the chemical system and automatically tops up the sprayer’s on-board clean water tank during main tank lling. It can also be used to reduce lling time of the main chemical tank by diverting excess clean water to it. When loading powders or other di cult to mix products the sprayer can be operated in dual agitation mode, continuously circulating the chemical tank whilst lling with the “Active Rinse” system. At the end of each tank load “Active Rinse” can be set to ush the boom and pipework with clean water and deliver the washings back to the main tank ready for the next load. is keeps the system as clean as possible and makes it safer for road transport. If required, the optional ‘air-blow-out’ can evacuate all liquid from the pipework and boom to o er an extra level of protection during road transport. When lling the sprayer with chemical, clean water is continuously available for container rinsing at the sprayer induction hopper. Tank rinsing can be carried out using the “Active Rinse” system, even when the sprayer is working. is is particularly useful at the end of a job when the sprayer is close to empty, as a measured ow can be used to rinse the sprayer tank, and application rates are adjusted accordingly. As the sprayer approaches the end of a job the boom can be fed from the “Active Rinse” system to displace chemical before spraying nishes. e new system meets an urgent need, says Brian Knight. “ e NSTS sprayer testing scheme continues to report leaks and drips from the spray boom as a leading fault when testing sprayers and unlike many other issues that have been identi ed – such as failure to adequately clean lters – the number of incidents is not reducing. www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 49