New Holland Agriculture has expanded its mechanical hoe line-up with a range of camera-guided self-steering models.
Complementing the existing four- to 18-row mechanically guided range which were previously a Kongskilde branded product, the new SRC SmartSteer models are available from eight- to 18 rows and cover row distances of 45cm, 50cm, 60cm and 75cm (60cm-75cm models have a platform to mount a small pneumatic seeder).
Guidance is provided by an optical camera that detects colour differences between the soil and weeds. The steering is provided by a hydraulic side shift mechanism on the main frame.
Options include section cut-off (ISObus/GPS) to automatically lift individual rotor elements at the headland and in wedge-shaped fields. Rear harrows to drag weed roots to the surface to speed up the wilting process are also available.
The SRC SmartSteer models are available in two chassis widths of 6.7m and 9.9m. Both fold to 3.0m for transport.
