A poorly adjusted agricultural machine may cause waste, application of the irregular amounts of inputs and impair the plant development.
The agricultural spreader adjustment makes sure of an efficient fertilizer and substances for soil regulation application. It’s a crucial technical process in Precision Agriculture.
In this article, you can see how to adjust the agricultural spreaders correctly — focused on the Stara self-propelled spreaders, Hércules 4.0 and Hércules 6.0.
Why adjusting the agricultural spreader?
The correct adjustment of the agricultural spreader makes sure the input reaches the soil at the right meter and with uniformity. In addition, it directly impacts the economy and agronomic results.
According to the MP Agro Adjustment Manual, calibrating the spreader correctly helps to reach the lower coefficient of variation possible, a parameter that represents the spreading adjustment along the application range.
Among the main the advantages, there are:
- Less overlaps and failures, boosting the uniform application;
- Getting the most out of the applied fertilizers, with better plant absorption;
- Savings of inputs and environmental protection, avoiding the excess of nutrients in the soil;
- More operational control, with a precise adjustment of the application range and rate.
Using more modern machines such as the self-propelled machines, these advantages become better thanks to sensors, automation, and connectivity.
What to assess before adjusting the agricultural machine
Before any adjustment, the agricultural machine operator should consider variables that directly influence the agricultural spreader performance.
This first analysis reduces errors during the application and sets the ideal agricultural machine settings for each scenario. Check out some factors:
Product type to be applied by the spreader:
Granulating fertilizers, powdered substances for soil regulation (such as agricultural lime or gypsum), sulfur, or fertilizer that demand specific adjustments in the spinner disks and vanes.
Granulometry, density and moisture of the input:
These factors affect the broadcasting capacity and spreading pattern formation;
Desired application range and effective width of the machine:
It’s necessary to calibrate the spreader according to the agronomic goal and operation type.
Operation speed and soil type:
The speed interferes in the application uniformity and the terrain can demand conveyor belt and spinner disks adjustment corrections.
These variables set the position of the vanes to the spinner disks rotation adjustment, directly influencing on the result of the application.
Step-by-step to adjust the agricultural spreader correctly
The adjustment process of a fertilizer and substances for soil regulation spreader involves a sequence of technical adjustments and practical tests, which should be carried out carefully to ensure precision.
See below, a step-by-step developed by the agricultural engineer, Denis Eckert, Stara Product Marketing Analyst:
1. Product calibration
The first step is to set the target rate (kg/ha) based on the agronomist engineer advice. Dênis Eckert recommends:
"It is crucial to perform the correct application of the product for a better performance and a good application quality."
With this, the operator uses a calibration kit — comprised of drip pans, tubes, and scale — to measure the actual amount to be applied and adjust the system.
2. Adjustment of the conveyor belt and feedgates
After the tractor or self-propelled machine is parked, activate the unloading system for collecting. The material is collected and weighed to check whether it corresponds to the desired rate.
The opening of the feedgates and the conveyor belt speed should be adjusted until reaching the correct value.
3. Position of the vanes
The position of the vanes directly interferes with the application uniformity. Extended vanes increase the concentration at the range ends, while retracted vanes concentrate the product in the center.
To make this process easier, the operator can use the Stara Spreading Application, which indicates the best setting according to the product and desired range, reducing the adjustment time and boosting the field results.
4. Drip pan test
This step is essential to check the application uniformity. The 21 drip pans are positioned in 2 meters of spacing.
The self-propelled spreader moves a total distance of 80 meters (40 before and 40 after the drip pans), with the spreading system running.
After the test, the material in the drip pans is compared. If the graphic doesn’t show any symmetry, the operator must correct the position of the vanes or adjust the rotation of the spinner disks.
5. Adjustment of the rotation of the spinner disks
The application range width is adjusted by the rotation of the spinner disks:
- Increase rotation = higher spreading range;
- Reduce rotation = lower range.
The maximum value allowed is 700 rpm, and the ideal is to start with this reference and do the practical tests to set the final value.
The rotation influences as much in the range width as in the overlap between passes.
When are you supposed to check the agricultural spreader adjustment?
The adjustment should be checked whenever there is a change of input, a change in the field, different weather conditions, or after the agricultural machine maintenance service.
Also, it is recommended to assess the adjustment periodically during the harvest to avoid losses and ensure the constant performance of the application.
Want some help to choose a fertilizer spreader and substances for soil regulation spreader?
When checking your machine adjustment, and you notice that the current model no longer delivers the expected performance — either by the limited capacity or by the lack of connectivity with precision agriculture systems.
In such a situation, it’s worth considering the equipment update for a newer model, which is more robust and technological.
See below, why the Hércules 4.0 and Hércules 6.0 self-propelled spreaders are a reference in efficiency and precision.
Hércules 4.0 and Hércules 6.0 self-propelled machines: precision and autonomy in spreading
The Hércules line is a national reference in self-propelled spreaders. Pioneer in precision agriculture technologies, Stara was the first Brazilian company to develop a spreader with an engine, connectivity, and on-board variable rate control.
Main differences between the models:
|
Model |
Capacity |
Engine |
Indication |
|
4000 kg |
MWM 190 cv |
Medium operations and spraying in a low scale |
|
|
6000 kg |
MWM 220 cv |
Great autonomy, ideal for huge areas and instalment application to tall crops |
Both models have stainless steel components, high-efficient conveyor belt, and the full integration with the Stara agricultural controller, Topper 5500.
Additionally, they provide the operator with comfort, less crop damage, and superior operating yield in relation to the trailed models.
Topper controller and the Follow-me function: technologies that speed up the adjustment
In addition to the manual adjustments, the Stara self-propelled spreaders are equipped with on-board agricultural technologies that ease the operation.
The Follow-me function, available on Topper 5500, guides the operator during calibration, eliminating complex math and ensuring more agility. The Stara agronomist engineer, Denis Eckert, states that:
"The operator calibrates the machine without the need of complex math, which eases a lot the daily basis."
The integration between Topper intelligence and the prescription maps makes the operation safer, more reliable, and economic.
Correctly adjust the agricultural spreader is investing in efficiency, economy, and yield.
Conclusion
The agricultural technology has been a great ally to make the adjustment of a fertilizer and substances for soil regulation spreader simpler and faster.
In this article, we laid out technical hints and essential cautions to ensure a good input spreading in the crop field.
With the support of on-board technologies on the Stara self-propelled machines, such as the Topper 5500 agricultural controller, for instance, the agricultural machine operator is safer to apply with precision and get the most out of the fertilizers.
Did you like the hints and want to find out the agricultural machine that best suits your crop field?
Stop by a Stara dealer and find the most suitable equipment to boost your crop production. Request a quotation.
