Central Alberta Hay Center

The split hopper design eliminates “dead zones” and any chance of material bridging, with an octagonal shape to prevent fertilizer from favoring one side on sidehills. The agitators (one on each side) ensure even fertilizer flow and reduce clumping from humidity. Depending on the set PTO speed, they rotate at 15-20 rpm to reduce damage to fertilizer granules.

The weighing system is one of the defining features of the Axis 20.2 W. Two weigh cells built into the hitch provide feedback for the rate control system and inform the operator of the quantity remaining in the hopper. Rate control via scales also eliminates the calibration test required on machines not equipped with a weighing system. The scales read and adjust the application rate every second, maintaining an accurate average rate across the width of the machine. The scales also keep the operator informed of the amount of product remaining in the hopper to help anticipate reloading points. ​

All KUHN fertilizer spreaders go through a 7-step process that includes mechanical and chemical cleaning as well as top-quality powder paint application and paint baking. This ensures optimum corrosion and scratch resistance, UV resistance, acid resistance and increased abrasion durability. KUHN powder paint will wear longer as the base material is much harder and will corrode far less with the powder paint protectant.

The metering outlets at the bottom of each side of the hopper allow the material to pass through in a controlled manner to promote the best spread pattern possible. The special shape creates distinct “packets” of material on the disc paddles to reduce the effect of rate changes on the spread pattern. Each metering outlet is controlled by its own Speed Servo a high-speed electric motor. This motor reacts quickly to changes in ground speed or rate settings, improving coverage and also reducing areas of over- or under-application in areas such as headlands. Speed Servos are sealed and maintenance-free for a long service life.

Like all Axis models, the 20.2 W offers multiple disc options to meet the needs of the customer. Each stainless-steel disc features a long and short paddle to create a pattern of uniform coverage across the field. A tungsten-carbide coating covers the paddles to maximize lifespan, while the paddles can also be replaced individually. The discs are also specific to the left and right sides of the machine, with labels to prevent installing them on the wrong side. The curved pieces immediately behind the disc paddles are Airfins, which reduce turbulence caused by the rotating discs. ​

KUHN broadcast fertilizer spreaders, including the Axis® 20.2 W, spread material in a triangular “double overlap” pattern. Each pass places product in an area roughly twice the set pass-to-pass working width. Subsequent passes “fill in” the edges of the triangle with product to create an even distribution across the width of the field. Triangular patterns have an advantage over trapezoidal and other patterns, as there is greater margin for error caused by wind drift or inaccurate driving.

Vari-Spread 8 is a form of section control operated through the Quantron A terminal. Sections are created by reducing the flow rate through the metering outlets in four steps on each side. Reducing the rate in this manner reduces over-application in oddly shaped fields and point rows, improving the owner’s overall return on investment. ​