With its new seed drill Cataya Special EcoLine, Amazone presents a cost effective machine from the line of AMAZONE cultivating units, supplementing its range in this area with the most basic appliance. This new version of equipment also follows into the footsteps of the proven AD unit with a harrow-mounted seed drill.
The last AD 3000 Super seed drill left the production line at the end of the last year. The history of its success, spanning over thirty years, started in 1988, when AD for a cultivating unit in a modular system was launched into the market. New Cataya 3000 Special EcoLine features specially selected equipment at a promotional price, however, sufficient to ensure high productivity and reliability in this segment. The harrow-mounted seeder of working width of 3 meters is equipped with 650 litres seed hopper with a large opening for fast and accurate loading. Precise seeding is ensured by 24 RoTeC maintenance free single disc coulters with a space between rows of 12.5 cm. Forming of ridges for sowing and optimum guiding in the soil are ensured by a sowing disc on one side and a coulter tip on the other. Control 10 and Control 25 depth guidance discs prevent soil adhesion to the sowing discs and ensure precise maintaining of the set seed placement depth. An exact harrow evenly covers seeds and ensures blockage-free operation, especially in mulch sowing, even with high straw volumes.
The AmaLog+ in-cab terminal supports the driver in switching between different tramline rhythms. Its other features include daily counter, area hectare meter, fill level control, and a rotational speed monitoring for the mechanical drive. Rear lights ensure safe road transport even in the dark.
SmartCenter for calibration
Calibration is performed with the SmartCenter, a settings centre installed on the left side of the machine. It is provided with a table clearly showing all possible setting options. The metering unit settings are selected with a lever, with which the bottom flap can be adjusted, depending on the seed type and seed rates. The driver can set the machine in the calibration or sowing mode using a second lever, setting a flap in the metering unit to direct seeds either to coulters or to calibration trays. When calibration is completed, the two calibration trays can be easily removed from underneath the SmartCenter. The calibration kit is completed by a sturdy folding bucket and weigh scales with an illuminated digital display. When those two items are not used, they can be easily stored under the hopper lid. During calibration, the land wheel remains in a parking position.
Convenient Precis metering system
The heart of the Cataya Special EcoLine is formed by the new Precis metering system ensuring high operational comfort and reduced set-up times. The shutter with 2 locking positions facilitates a quick changeover between standard and fine seed. Another new solution are integrated outlet funnels minimising residual amounts in the hopper, preventing bridging between the outlets, and facilitating easy cleaning of the tank. Additional feature are centrally adjustable calibration flaps for quick switching of the seed drill between sowing and calibration modes. The seed shaft is driven mechanically by the land wheel drive.
Everything in one hand – flexibility with QuickLink
The QuickLink quick release coupling system enables easy and fast connection of the seed drill with the KE Rotamix rotary harrow or the KX Cultimix and KG Cultimix rotary cultivators without a need to use any tools.
Ultramodern and future-focused surface treatment centre at the production plant in Schwandorf is currently put into operation
The construction of a modern surface treatment centre at the factory in Schwandorf started in May 2022. To meet the increasing demand and secure the required production capacity, HORSCH constructed a 12,000 sqm hall equipped with the cutting edge technology for coating with wet and powder paints.
The construction of the powder and wet coating system started in January 2023. The wet coating paint booth was put into operation in June 2023, and the powder coating system was started in September of that year. Currently, those two system are at the start-up phase. Their maximum capacity is ca. 575,000 sqm of coated material a year, corresponding to ca. 20,000 tonnes of steel. The new system can be used to paint components up to 9 m long, 2.3 m wide, and 3 m high, and of a total weight of 3 tonnes. Fully automated, flexible conveyor systems ensure precise transfer of components to their destination.
Energy efficiency and sustainable development played an important role in implementation of this project. Powder coating, representing 80% of works, is a very environmentally friendly process, because it is completely solvent free. Also heat recovery systems (a powder furnace and compressors) contribute to energy efficiency of this system. The company intends to use renewable energy sources in the future. The process used for pretreatment is a closed circuit one, therefore, generated wastewater is not discharged into the public network, but treated on site.
The new surface treatment centre will also contribute to creation of 75 new jobs at the plant in Schwandorf, as well as of a modern training centre for vocational training of process mechanics in coating technologies. Flexible and ergonomic workstations and modern social areas were created for all employees.
The costs of construction of this new surface treatment centre amounted to about EUR 30 million, and represent one of the largest investments at the Schwandorf factory.
Using the cutting edge technology, HORSCH is getting ready for energy challenges of the future and high capacity.
