SCHMOTZER hoes

Precision mechanical weed control for every farm

Linear shift frame VR 2

SCHMOTZER offers a new shift frame for its hoes. The VR 2 linear shift frame catches the eye as a result of its extremely compact design, and its strength impresses, especially when hoeing under the most difficult of conditions.

The new linear shift frame sets itself apart on account of its very high total travel range of 600 mm (300 mm left and 300 mm right). Optimum guidance of the hoe through row crops without them being damaged or hoed out is therefore guaranteed, especially on non-straight headlands and fields with slopes, where the tractor tends to drift.

A unique feature of the new VR 2 shift frame is its extremely compact design. The distance from the lower link coupling point of the tractor to the coupling point on the hoe is only 470 mm. The VR 2 is therefore 450 mm shorter compared with our well-known AV 5 parallel shift frame, and it is also the most compact shift frame in this class on the market. The extremely compact design significantly reduces the distance of the centre of gravity of the hoe to the coupling point on the tractor and therefore also the leverage effect of the machine on the tractor. This results in several positive effects. On the one hand, the tractor requires considerably less lifting power. On the other hand, the amount of front ballasting is significantly reduced as a result of the lower centre of gravity distance. This a real advantage for soil protection and when carrying out work in hilly terrain. Furthermore, the lower centre of gravity distance also provides a smoother ride on the road.

A choice of support wheels of either 195/55 R10 or 225/55 R12 are available for the shift frame to ensure maximum smooth running and the best possible contour following of the hoe. The support wheels can be steplessly adjusted to track widths from 1.50 m to 2.25 m for use in a variety of crop row widths. Even track widths up to 3 m are possible with an optional extension kit, meaning that the VR 2 shift frame is also ideal for working on beds. A stabilisation disc can also be fitted to the VR 2, so that the shift frame runs smoothly on slopes and the lateral forces transferred to the tractor are minimised. Lateral forces arising from the shift frame are transferred to the ground via the stabilisation disc and the tractor remains reliably on track.

The integrated central oil circuit is a key element of the new VR 2 shift frame. The hydraulic functions of the camera control and the Section Control of the parallelograms are thereby supplied with the requisite quantity of oil. As a consequence, these fully equipped hoes make significantly lower demands on the oil flow, oil quantity and oil supply from the tractor.

Furthermore, all hydraulic and electronic components are installed and laid out behind guards for the best possible protection. All the lubrication points of the shift mechanism on the VR 2 are centrally combined, meaning that maintenance can be completed in a very short time. 

Smart Vision camera system 

The vast majority of the hoes supplied today are equipped with automatic row crop control via a shift frame and a camera system. In this respect, the camera system is the heart of the control system and must guide the hoe perfectly through the crop rows by means of reliable plant detection. SCHMOTZER has developed the Smart Vision camera system for this essential task.

The camera eye of Smart Vision generates a high-contrast image with full HD resolution. This ensures that crop rows are detected from a plant size of 2 x 2 cm. The camera is absolutely dustproof and even resistant to high-pressure washers thus guaranteeing a long service life.

The camera is equipped with a multi-row detection system for up to 5 rows, so that hoeing can also be carried out at the earliest possible stage in the plant development - even in crops with gaps. Furthermore, the camera can be provided with an LED work light, so that hoeing at night is not a problem. This is an attractive option, especially in combination with the RowSpray band sprayer. In addition, a row sensor is available for the camera system as an option. This allows effective and precise hoeing at or just before canopy closure and is ideal for stem-forming crops, such as maize or sunflowers.

The camera system is equipped with a tilt sensor with automatic slope correction, so that the hoe is safely guided through the crop rows via camera control and the shift frame, even on slopes. This means that hoeing is not only possible on level ground but also on challenging terrain. In this respect, the camera adjustment makes the same demands on the driver as on level ground, meaning that drivers with less experience can also carry out hoeing on a slope without any problems.

After all, the Smart Vision camera system controls the shift frame with the utmost sensitivity via a pulse-width modulated control system. The shifting speed of the frame is regulated depending on the forward speed. The speed is measured via a wheel sensor on the support wheel of the shift frame.

The camera system is comfortably monitored in the cab via a high-resolution 10" terminal with touch control. This is dustproof and splashproof for maximum resistance to external influences.

RapidoClip hoe blade quick change system

A long service life combined with a sharp edge is essential for hoe blades. This should result in the hoe blades producing a full-width movement of the top 2 to 3 cm of the soil. If the blades are worn, their replacement should be simple and quick to change thus keeping the downtime of the hoe as short as possible. Downtimes of the hoe as a result of repairs to wearing parts should be minimised, especially in wet years with short work windows for hoeing. Hoe blades with different widths may also be required between the various crops.

The hoe blades are normally either bolted, riveted or welded to the blade shaft, depending on the manufacturer. These systems have disadvantages, however, with regard to the time required for changing, secure mounting for the hoe blades and the costs involved. For this reason, two quick-change systems for hoe blades have already established themselves on the market. With these systems the hoe blade is hooked into the shaft and then secured either with a bolt or with a locking split-pin. However, even these variants have the problem that the coulters become loose and that the replacement requires more time and effort as a result of the wear on the locking system. 

The RapidoClip quick-change system was developed to resolve the problems associated with the various hoe blade fixings. The system has been registered for patent and is the first completely tool-free quick-change system for hoe blades on the market. RapidoClip permits an easy and, above all, rapid change of the hoe blades.

As in the case of the familiar Rapido blades from SCHMOTZER, the new RapidoClip consists of a blade shaft and a blade plate which are joined together via a tongue and groove system. In the new RapidoClip system, the share plate is secured to the blade shaft via the RapidoClip spring lever. The spring lever clamps the blade plate securely on the blade shaft via the over-centre lever and the pivot point milled in the blade shaft. This system holds the hoe blade securely on the share shaft, even under the hardest soil conditions.

To change a hoe blade, the spring lever is pressed on the share shaft with one hand. The spring-lever locking device on the share shaft is slackened in the process and can be pulled out to the side with the other hand. The spring lever can then be folded downwards and removed from the slotted hole of the blade plate. The blade plate is then subsequently pushed forwards out of the tongue and groove system and a new blade plate pushed on the share shaft. Afterwards, the blade plate is clamped on the share shaft with the spring lever. The share can be changed on the hoe without tools in next to no time with RapidoClip, even in the field, and therefore represents real added value for the hoe.

Furthermore, the shallow ridgers have also been redesigned for the RapidoClip system and can continue to be mounted on the share shaft. The shallow ridgers are fixed to the share shaft with a screw clamp and the ridge intensity can be adjusted or disabled via a slotted hole.