CULTIVATION AND TECHNOLOGY Miedema CP 42 P now ready for real work nation to make ridges that are dead straight. Moreover, it ensures that each work passage follows the others very smoothly. In addition, it eases the work of the driver, who can now focus more on the actual planting. With this new Miedema combination, it is important that the driver closely watches the information on the monitors of the GPS and the potato planter in the tractor cabin. Cultivator with Smart-fload Most of the driver’s work consists of entering data before planting, Gert huisman from Miedema tells us. Once set, the computers control everything themselves, from planting distance, turning sprayers on and off, seed depth, ridging pressure, soil steering and much more, huisman says enthusiastically. To make all this possible, all control/settings are electro-hydraulically driven. The cultivator, an AVR Compact, is fitted with its own depth control, which Miedema has given the name Smart-fload. For this purpose, a sensor has been placed between the cultivator and the potato planter. The Smart-fload ensures that the cultivator accurately follows the unevenness of the field. As a result, the planting depth and ridge height are consistent along the entire length of the field. A similar sensor is also placed in the ridger, which is also one of the components of the CP 42 P. The sensor ensures that the ridge has the same neat structure along the entire length of the field. If necessary, the sensor can always be fine-tuned with the HMI Control monitor/computer in the tractor cabin. This monitor is also a new development by Miedema, and much thought has gone into its operational ease. There are double push buttons with on/off functions to the left and right of the screen. Symbols for the functions can be read on the screen next to the buttons. All conveniently-arranged, as huisman shows us. This same monitor/computer can also be used for other Miedema machines, should that be necessary. In other words, when planting is over, the HMI Control can be mounted on the box tipper. Another thing that this monitor/computer can also do, is calculate and store monitoring data. The user can transfer this data onto a USB stick and file it on the computer at home. Data such as planting speed, planted surface, quantity of seed per hectare, the number of missing plants, etc. can be made readily available. The contractor can use the information for invoicing, the grower for stepping up his crop in future years. Especially for the cultivation of consumption potatoes Does this make it an attractive machine for the big potato growers in the Netherlands? To repay the investment sum of 60,000 euros, the machine will have to cover a considerable number of hectares a year. This is a combination with a cup belt planter and that makes the machine particularly suitable for cultivation of starch and consumption potatoes. Metz explains that the most interest comes from contractors and big crop farmers who grow for these particular sectors. These growers are also found outside the Netherlands such as in To move the CP 42 P, a tractor with broad tyres with low pressure can be used. An extra wheel, which may be needed for a tillage tool in front of the tractor, is therefore not necessary in this combination. Most of the driver’s work consists of entering data before planting, Gert huisman from Miedema tells us. Once properly set, the computers do all the work. 24 Potato World 2011 • number 1 Pagina 23
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