There's lots of news about the new generation of Horsch's self-propelled sprayer, Leebt PT. But it's a "Horsch Classic" that actually lets it make the leap it did: The Boom Control Pro Plus system, which will keep the boom close to the crop and avoid drift, allows the new Leeb PT-generation to work fast, really fast.
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When it comes to spraying on 36 meters width in hilly terrain, speed isn’t what you would expect. But the latest version of the Horsch Leeb PT offers just that: Speeds of 18 km/h while still keeping every section of the boom at a maximum of 40 centimetres distance to the crop. That is Formula 1 terrain.
This is possible due to Horsch’s system boom control pro plus, which controls all five boom sections individually. Its secret is the job computer, which collects data from up to six ultrasonic sensors, a gyroscope, as well as sensors for the current angle between boom segments. When you stand behind the machine, you can hear the cylinders control the boom accordings to the job computer’s results.
So far, we only know of one competitor with a comparable system. During our test day, we could easily work at 18 km/h.
If you want to discover all the new features of the Horsch Leeb PT at once, just do a quick turn on the headland. Both, the machine and the boom, will stay in the right track and on the right height.
This is partly due to the new chassis. The PT has said goodbye to its former, pneumatically suspended portal axles. Now, each will is suspended individually and hydropneumatically. Even at 50 km/h, it will provide precise steering and an ok ride.
The new sprayer had made yet another big leap, thanks to the new chassis: Instead of the former 85 centimetres of ground clearance, it can now get up to 1.35 meters, provided you opt for the stronger drivetrain HighPowerGear, the 12-hole rims as well as a wheel diameter of 2.18 metres. With the higher ground clearance, Horsch adapt to the trend towards longer stems in varietis of grains and rapeseed.
The track width was not easily adjustable on our test machine. From autumn, Horsch will offer some models which allow hydraulic adjustment from the cabin. For now, the 8.000 liter version offers to manually switch between 2 and 2.25 metres. The 6.000 liter version also comes with a 1.8 meter setting.
In contrast, our test machine had plenty of brains and power on board to work fast. Instead of a mechanical transmission, the Horsch engineers now chose a shiftless hydrostat by Bosch Rexroth. Strikingly, the rear wheel motors will swallow more hydraulic oil than the front ones. That is a smart move. That way, if a front wheel starts to spin, a rear wheel can take in its extra oil, and power. The farmer operating our test machine says he has pulled himself out of some tricky situations thanks to this.
As opposed to this SUV feelling, the Leeb PT can also feel like a formula one car. Say you want to rush into a roundabout, and a lot of weight gets shifted to the front left wheel. The right rear wheel might now be in danger of taking off. But not with the ne Leeb PT: Engineers have given it a sensor to detect that. The chassis will send some extra pressure to the front left wheel suspension - and keep the sprayer on its feet.
By the way: The power for all this now come from a 6.7 liter, Fiat Powertrain engine with 310 horse power. This is probably a good move by Horsch, since in many regions of the world, it will be easier to get it serviced than the former mercedes engines.
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