UNDER pressure to perform, a new ground-filled air cart has been launched by Australian manufacturer Harberger.
Following two years of design, the Equalizer air cart is a pressurised system designed to meet Australian workplace health and safety standards.
Harberger, sales manager, Kirk Harberger said the Equalizer was designed to ground-fill, both to remove the risk of air leaks and increase safety.
“This removes the need of elevated stair cases and large lid opening systems,” he said.
“Each bin or pod has its own internal auger.
“Similar to the bubble auger theory on a header.”
Mr Harberger said each pod is a plastic mould injected which leaves a light weight finish.
“The pods are equipped with Digi-Star scales so the exact weight of each pod is known to the operator,” he said.
“The Digi-Star scales have an external screen display for filling purposes and also displays internally through the tractors ISO-BUS.
“Having a known weight takes the guessing out of sowing but most importantly can prevent major miss calculations.”
Mr Harberger said technology provided by Topcon allowed the operator to auto-calibrate.
“This is achieved through the scales providing the known weight and the GPS providing the hectares planted,” he said.
“The system can then make the calculations and adjust the product rates with the confirmation of the operator.”
Mr Harbrger said a stainless-steel metering system below the cart was configured to allow mixing throughout the lines.
“For example the operator is able to place 25 per cent of their MAP in with the seed,” he said.
“Different product can also be allocated to different pods throughout the cropping program.”
Mr Harberger said a limited number of Equalizer air carts were released for the 2018 season, with the full range due for release in 2019.
He said the carts were available from 12,000 to 20,000 litre capacity in both tow-behind and tow-between configurations.
Harberger currently service South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.