Forward speed when spreading fertilizer

[CORK]

Assuming good conditions (calm) and smooth straight tramlines, what is the forward speed that most are comfortable with when spreading fertilizer?

Kuhn 30.1 here and was working at 18-19kph yesterday (didn’t realise until I looked at dash). Auto rate control so should I be ok?

 

[Lewis821]

Its probably more important the speed of acceleration than forward speed, giving time for the rate controller to keep up. Spreading on corn usually 18k, veg work 14k

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Should be fine, as long as your speed is relatively constant.
How wide are you spreading? We're often spreading at 30kmh or so in our trucks.

 

[CORK]

Should be fine, as long as your speed is relatively constant.
How wide are you spreading? We're often spreading at 30kmh or so in our trucks.

24m. I must have a look in the manual

 

[KB6930]

Assuming good conditions (calm) and smooth straight tramlines, what is the forward speed that most are comfortable with when spreading fertilizer?

Kuhn 30.1 here and was working at 18-19kph yesterday (didn’t realise until I looked at dash). Auto rate control so should I be ok?

When tray testing a Kuhn 40.1 at 125kgs/hec at 10k you got a level test if you left the drop point the same but doubled the rate you got a bad test so I'd say that depending on the rate you're putting on forward speed will possibly have a fair variation on spread pattern

 

[Lofty1984]

Depends on the rate your putting out as if your putting a fair dose on and go too quickly I worry you overload the spreading disc and bugger the spread pattern

 

[snipe]

If you spread at too higher speed it will effect the spread pattern.

 

[yellow belly]

Calibrate at the normal speed
18 to 20 k normal

 

[Slug Herder]

As long as you do a smooth acceleration and deceleration should be fine. We tray tested our zav amazone at 14km and 24km/hr at 24m. There was no difference. Nice to be able to open up on a bigger field.

 

[blue power]

10 kph is probably the best speed as you go faster spread quality will be effected, just think about spreading fert on your lawn at walking pace it’s okay but think about the spread quality if you did it when running

 

[Kiwi Pete]

24m. I must have a look in the manual

It should be OK at that, urea is a bit too light for high speed spreading but anything with a density over 900 should be right.

 

[Try to succeed]

I’ve been spreading today with Kuhn 40.1 at 18kph. It has been tray tested at this and still fine so crack on.

 

[MrNoo]

Tend to run at 20-24kph if it's smooth enough to go at that, headlands slower esp if plough/powerharrow drilled, min till at the top end. Kuhn axis 1:40

 

[Lincsman]

If the shutter is about half open at a high speed, the spreader does not know how fast you are going so why would it make a difference?

 

[CORK]

If the shutter is about half open at a high speed, the spreader does not know how fast you are going so why would it make a difference?

It has auto rate control linked to ground speed.

I was more concerned about the spread pattern.

 

[Lofty1984]

It has auto rate control linked to ground speed.

I was more concerned about the spread pattern.

Best way is chuck some nitrogen on a grass field next to a road and do each pass at different speeds sit back and wait to see the results this way you will clearly see plus give your neighbours a good laugh if it’s stripy as hell

 

[davidroberts30]

It has auto rate control linked to ground speed.

I was more concerned about the spread pattern.

Drive on cruise control not pedal mode....

 

[MrNoo]

It has auto rate control linked to ground speed.

I was more concerned about the spread pattern.

Have not found it a problem once I got the settings spot on, just driving in a consistent manner helps no end.

 

[deleted user 837354]

I presume the manual for the spreader would define a hard limit in terms of maximum application rate vs forward speed as the shutters can only supply the discs with enough material up to a point, although I know in other countries they do put hell of a rate of stuff on and at speeds we would never dream of.

 

[neilo]

12kmph plenty fast enough here (small fields), gives you a bit of time to think about the world going round.

Given ground conditions currently, the faster the better. At least that way you’ll have a chance of wellying out the other side of the wet spot.?