Vertical beater muckspreaders are now available from RS Agri, the Hampshire outfit that, until now, had specialised in diet feeders and bale processors.

Its Polish-built Atlas range initially encompasses several models from 9-16t, but bigger ones, and versions with horizontal beaters, are set to be introduced later this year.

The current flagship is a 16-tonner that comes with two parallel floor conveyors.

See also: Tips for buying a used muckspreader

These, and a manual-change two-speed gearbox, are also available as an option on sub-14t machines as an alternative to the single conveyor setup.

Further back, the beaters get Hardox tips reckoned capable of spreading manure, compost and lime between 9m and 15m, and there’s a full-width slurry door for handling wetter materials.

This can be fitted with a mechanical level indicator, and there are automatic rear light covers that close as the door opens to shield the LEDs during spreading.

Though base spec machines are reasonably well sorted, there’s a raft of optional extras, starting with the choice of a painted or galvanised finish, and the fitment of greedy boards – 100mm or 300mm wood extensions, or 800mm in metal.

Buyers can also have a hydraulic jack and rear deflectors, Hardox or stainless-steel conveyor wear strips, and tyres up to 580/70 R38 on commercial-grade axles.

And, for those keen on technology, there’s isobus controls, electric conveyor speed adjustment, and a Topcon weighing system to give more insight into how much material has been spread on a given field.

On-farm prices start at £27,270 for a 9t model and £33,000 for a 16-tonner.