Loftness has joined the growing list of manufacturers that are supplying higher-caliber fertilizer spreaders.
The Hector, Minnesota, company has developed a pair of 12-ton lime and fertilizer applicators.
The short-line farm equipment manufacturer has a new fertilizer spreader, the FB1210 and for farmers who apply lime, the L1230, a12-ton spreader for both lime and fertilizer.
Adam Goblish, an engineer at Loftness, said the units, while sharing a chassis, handle product differently.
The FB1210 has a 40- to 90-foot spread width, with dual stainless-steel conveyor chains and optional two-section control for right and left sides.
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“It means you can reduce those overlaps by shutting off one side of the machine, getting that right rate where you want it for the best (agronomy) and financial returns,” he said.
The L1230 lime spreader has a 24-inch belt-over-chain conveyor specifically designed for lime, but can also be appropriate for fertilizer applications. It has a 20- to 60-foot spread for lime and a 40- to 90-foot spread for fertilizer.
Both spreaders are variable-rate ready, with hydraulically driven conveyors and spinners for precision application.
The hydraulic chain drives unlink application rates from ground speed and the spinners too can also be configured for automatic adjustment, including speed sensing, in a site-specific system.
“The steerable hitch is pretty popular, for (farmers or commercial applicators). Whether they want to manually control it or have the technology for (automated steering),” he said. “Great for sidehills and turning.”
The hoppers are 409 stainless steel and are smooth with 50-degree slopes, minimal flat surfaces and no internal gussets or plates to accumulate material. This smooth surface maximizes material flow. Improved cleanout reduces corrosion. For growers who use a spreader for in-crop application, both units have 41 inches of ground clearance. The variable tread width either runs from 80 to 120 inches or 90 to 152-inches.
Standard equipment on both spreaders include 380/90-R46 tires and an adjustable hitch. Options include an automatically controlled spinner drive, integral scale, steerable hitch, dual wheels, other tire choices and a roll tarp.
“We are planning for a 1220 (fertilizer) model with two tanks. Customers are asking for it, so we are working that up right now. Two products and variable rate with two (chains) will fill a lot of their needs … with that capacity,” said Goblish.
“Scales too are getting some attention. We are even selling some without and then sending out the kits to upgrade them. We kept that real simple to install,” he said.
