A system designed to correct the pitch of a mounted fertiliser spreader as it empties is one of several new options being offered by Valtra.

The Smart Top Link kit includes two radars retrofitted to the base of the spreader – one at the front, the other at the rear – that monitor their distance to the ground and thus calculate the angle at which it is held.

If they detect a slight deviance from the 0deg target as the load empties and the weight lightens then this will be automatically corrected by altering the length of the hydraulic top link.

See also: Video: How to properly set up a fertiliser spreader

Valtra Smart Top Link © Valtra

According to Valtra researchers, without this intervention the spreading angle can change by up to 4deg between a full hopper and a near-empty one.

That might seem an insignificant figure, but it could mean the spreader is calibrated accurately for only 20% of its work. This will influence the accuracy of the throw – potentially at a cost of up to £17/ha, based on the firm’s Danish trials.

It claims its system can address almost £13/ha of that loss.

In theory, that should quickly cover the cost of the radars, pipes, hydraulic block and loom, which cost £4,300 on a new tractor sent through the firm’s Unlimited studio.

An Agco Parts retrofit option will also be available at the end of this year and, with a bit of jiggery pokery, should be relatively easy to fit to any brand of tractor.

Unlimited view

© Valtra

The Finnish manufacturer is also promoting the virtues of its new Unlimited View camera system, developed to help tractor drivers safely pull onto the road from a concealed gateway or T-junction.

The package includes an in-cab monitor and three wide-angle cameras as standard, two of which are mounted on the front – on a loader, weight block or implement – and another on the rear.

It’s more sophisticated than a standard retrofit kit, as the software includes a “computer vision” element that detects potential dangers and sounds an audible alert.

This gives drivers a good chance of spotting humans, bicycles and cars on the screen before they’ve even nosed the tractor into the roadway.

Prices start at £3,600 for three cameras; up to eight can be fitted.