DRIVING IMPRESSION: Horsch Leeb is hoping to put its mark on the pneumatic fertiliser spreader market with its first machine. And it’s big. We take an early look at the Xeric in the field.
The main advantages of a pneumatic fertiliser spreader are obvious, but the big one is the ability to throw even questionable quality fertiliser more accurately across wider widths — even in strong winds. The multiple sections also mean better control on uneven headlands and corners, and, if we think even further ahead, there may be the ability to alter the rate applied by each section.
On the other hand, the machine is much more complex, which of course is reflected in the price — not to mention wear and tear as well as the additional cleaning.
Using the tandem sprayer as a model
Having put a lot of work into developing the large TD trailed tandem axle sprayer (profi 10/2021), Horsch Leeb was now being asked by these sprayer customers about a large capacity pneumatic fertiliser spreader with the same design features — BoomControl to automatically maintain the spreading height and the steered BPW tandem axle chassis. Thanks to its 2.40m wheelbase, it can be booted with up to 2.19m tall tyres to help spread the total weight of 24t. Designer Theodor Leeb and his team even came up with a clever emptying system for the Xeric 14FS so that the weight on the hitch was always maintained to help assist traction. To achieve this, the covers on the emptying auger in the base of the hopper open automatically, starting at the rear and moving on to the front, which is emptied last.
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