Farmers were amazed at the efficiency of the new Syncrospread double axle spreader that Casper van Zyl from Rovic introduced at their stand during this year’s Grain SA NAMPO at Bothaville in the Free State.

Casper is the lead engineer for the spreader division also known as Syncrospread.

The new Rovic Syncospread (RSS 13-18) has a stainless steel hopper of 13 cubic meters with a capacity of 18 tonnes.

Mild steel bins are also available, but the advantage of stainless steel is that it lasts longer.

The Syncrospread is an excellent precision spreader. The drive belt and spreading discs are controlled, as well as the disc speed to adjust spreading width.

It is a Isobus spreader. Currently there is a Raven system on the spreader, but this can be fitted with a Topcon or Greenstar system.

There is also a valve controller from Hidec that precisely controls the oil flow to the spreading discs and drive belt.

The valve regulator is equipped with charge sensors that are connected directly to the oil pump and not through the wiring loom.

As the spreader needs oil, a signal goes to the tractor indicating exactly how much oil to send to the spreader, this system is known as load sensing.

Farmers have the option to select between a single or a twin chain drive. On this particular model the chain on the floor is driven by two motors (making this model a precision spreader) on either side that is controlled separately to feed material through the discharge opening and onto the spreading discs.

Spreading discs

According to Casper, the spreading discs are the most important components of a spreader.

The spinning discs are suitable for spreading different applications such as lime, fertiliser, manure, and gypsum.

The discs are subjected to a lot of vibrations as the product falls on them, therefore it is equipped with a spider coupling that cancels the vibration between the discs and the hydraulic motor.

The rock separator at the back was designed and patented by Rovic. Its purpose is to separate rocks that may be present in the product and prevent the discs and vanes from being damaged. The spacing of the rock separator’s openings can also be easily adjusted depending on the diameter of the material to be spread.

According to Casper, Rovic had to go through a process of accreditation. “We are very proud to say that we can offer you an accredited precision spreader.”

On this large spreader with its capacity of 18 tonnes, two axles are required, with an axle coupling in the middle which distributes the weight evenly between the two axles.

The rear axle is a steering axle which ensures that the axle turns with the spreader when it is necessary to make a sharp turn in the field. The front axle is a braked axle that can be connected to the tractor’s braking system.

Rubber blocks under the drawbar make it a spring drawbar that absorbs impact over rough terrain.

The spreader is equipped with a double bearing and a spider sleeve that eliminates the vibration between the spreading discs and the hydraulic motor.

Drawbar

The tow eye is equipped with a BullPull connector to accommodate different diameter pull pins. It also helps to reduce feedback from the spreader over rough terrain on the tractor drawbar.

Everything on the drawbar is adjustable in height. The BullPull can move up and down and the drawbar mounting can be changed to perfectly fit any tractor.

On the inside of the spreader is a grid that separates stones from the product.

There is also a stainless steel bridge that is modular so that the sections can be easily removed by a single person.

As a precision spreader the machine is equipped with weight cells that calibrates and adjusts the material feed as it spreads.

Contact www.rovic.com for more information about the spreader.