AMAZONE is expanding its professional lawn maintenance range with the BladeCut 1800 rotary mower. The new mowing deck can be easily retrofitted to the Profihopper 1500 self-propelled mower/collector as an option. High outputs can be achieved thanks to its robust design and a cutting width of 1.80 m.

Excellent cutting results with low noise emission

Numerous technical advantages make the BladeCut mowing deck a good choice when it comes to precision and for intensive continuous operation. The standard flail mower unit on the Profihopper can be quickly and easily replaced by the new rotary mower via the QuickLink coupling system. Operators can therefore react flexibly to different requirements.

The modern mowing deck geometry of the BladeCut 1800 provides a high blade overlap. This ensures both a clean grass cut, even when cornering, and an even, full-width distribution of the cuttings. The BladeCut has direct rear discharge meaning that the collection function of the Profihopper is deactivated. A mulching kit with specially shaped mulching blades is available as an option.

A permeable grass guide effectively prevents blockages. The mowing deck operates quietly and is therefore ideal for use in noise-sensitive environments. 

Very robust design for heavy-duty use

The strong construction along with high-quality components makes the rotary mower a robust and durable solution for intensive use. The use of quality blades and large blade bearings increases the service life of the equipment. Standard protective functions, such as a slip clutch prevent damage to the blade in the event of contact with foreign objects, and the special blade offset protects the blade bearings from wear. A sophisticated carrying system using two large guide wheels at the front and the front wheels of the mowing unit ensure very good contour following. 

Optimum adaptation to different applications

The cutting height can be infinitely adjusted between 20 mm and 110 mm, making it possible to adapt to different requirements. The flexible suspension and large guide wheels ensure a consistent cutting height even under difficult conditions. Anti-scalp rollers protect the grass surface from damage on uneven ground. This ensures a clean, professional cutting profile. 

Easy handling and maintenance 

Handling and maintenance are particularly user-friendly: thanks to its balanced weight distribution, the mowing deck ensures comfortable working and can be easily folded up for maintenance.
 

The University of Hohenheim tests the effectiveness of InsectGuard

AMAZONE has developed the InsectGuard insect scaring device to promote sustainable and insect-friendly green space maintenance. The device, which can be easily mounted on the out-front mowing deck of the Profihopper self-propelled mower/collector, works mechanically scaring insects away from the danger area ahead of the actual mowing process. 

The effectiveness of the innovation was analysed as part of a master's thesis by Elias Windmüller at the Institute of Agricultural Engineering of the University of Hohenheim. The results confirm the effectiveness of the technology: InsectGuard enabled significantly more insects to be left unharmed during mowing. 

A catch frame was installed above the mowing deck for the evaluation tests. The tests showed that the use of the insect scaring device during mowing resulted in a significantly higher number of insects being caught in the catch frame. Depending on the test area, up to 46 % more insects escape being mowed. The insects were caught in the area above the InsectGuard, which proves the positive effect for flying insects.

The results of the master's thesis confirm that AMAZONE has developed a practicable and effective solution for insect protection in the groundcare sector which contributes to biodiversity conservation.

The colour scheme for groundcare and hoes to match that of agricultural machinery

As part of its brand strategy, and from the new price list in December 2024 the Amazone Group is changing the design of its groundcare and hoeing divisions over to the colour combination of green and orange. AMAZONE is thus continuing the standardisation of its differing colour schemes within the different divisions of the company. All product lines will therefore match the long-established Amazone agricultural machinery colour scheme, which in many countries is protected under trademark law. The aim is to strengthen the corporate identity throughout the entire group of companies.

The Amazone Group has been successfully represented in the groundcare market for over 40 years. The mounted and self-propelled mowers/collectors, previously available in green and beige, are renowned, both by local authorities and service providers, for their high level of functionality and quality. The range covers a wide variety of applications. From scarifying and mowing to collecting leaves, these all-rounders are in use all year round. The fresh green-orange colour scheme not only gives the kit a striking visual change, but also new dynamic lines.

Schmotzer Hacktechnik has been part of the AMAZONE Group since 2019 with its implements offered in the colour combination of blue and orange. In recent years, the collaboration between Schmotzer Hacktechnik and Amazone has resulted in new technical impetus and equipment options for even more efficient plant care solutions. In future, this product line will also be presented in the Amazone colours of green and orange. In the course of this process, the Schmotzer Hacktechnik brand will also be transferred to the Amazone brand. This will emphasise both visually the affiliation to the Amazone Group as well as accentuating the synergy of the agricultural product lines. This relaunch of the hoeing systems is intended to help market the equipment even more successfully, particularly internationally. The company is relying on the significantly higher global recognition value of the green and orange livery under the Amazone brand.

There will be a transitional phase in both divisions, during which both groundcare and hoes will still be shown at exhibitions and sold in their existing colours. However, this is not a disadvantage because the level of technology and functionality of the kit will remain unchanged.

The standardisation of the colour scheme across all product lines shows that the AMAZONE Group is sending out a clear signal for its innovative green and orange colours and is thus aiming to further strengthen the market presence of the Amazone brand worldwide in the long term.

Amazone was awarded the demopark silver medal for the IceTiger winter salt spreader at the 2021 demopark exhibition. The jury of technical journalists from leading industry publications awarded the prize to the new mounted spreader, which is equipped with the innovative Smart Precision System for the application of salt and brine.

A unique feature of the completely newly-developed IceTiger is the conveying system which utilises a hydraulically-driven belt floor. Thanks to the wide contact surface area, the material to be spread is continuously transported without bridging towards a chute which feeds it down onto the spreading disc. The hydraulic motor allows the speed of the floor belt to be precisely regulated, so that even extremely small quantities - down to 5 g/m² - can be applied as and when required. Working widths from 2 to 8 m are possible via the precision spreading disc. The IceTiger can therefore be perfectly tailored to the demands of the area needing to be treated. 

The Smart Precision System also offers a significant advantage in the way that the delivery point is adjusted electrically via ISOBUS. In this respect, the required degree of spread to the left or right is set comfortably and easily from the tractor seat. The spread fan is shifted by an electric actuator whilst the vehicle is travelling on the road. The electric delivery point is automatically adjusted, so that the delivery point of the material is set precisely, thereby producing the desired symmetrical or asymmetrical spread pattern. The electric delivery point adjustment works in conjunction with the automatic regulation of the spreading disc speed. This flexible adjustment of the working width allows the spread pattern to be precisely set for either spreading just one lane or two lanes at the same time. Furthermore, the triangular spread pattern can be narrowed in such a way that, for example on roundabouts, the complete road surface is optimally covered. 

Amazone offers the intuitive in-house developed, tablet-style AmaTron 4 terminal for ISOBUS control. . All functions in the work menu can be actuated via the AmaPilot+ multi-function joystick for maximum comfort.

The base unit of the IceTiger winter salt spreader has a capacity of 1,000 litres and the hopper has a favourable centre of gravity generated by the position of the 3-point linkage and the steep hopper walls. Any material residues are thus reliably avoided. But, as an option, the capacity can be expanded up to a maximum of 1,900 l by means of 300 l or 600 l extensions.

The IceTiger can be equipped with a brine applicator with a total tank capacity of 500 l for the application of FS30 pre-wetted salt as an option. Solid salt and brine are mixed together immediately upstream of the spreading disc, where a precisely adjusted supply of brine is provided via a hydraulically-driven pump with run-dry protection. The mixing of the two products results in a reduction in the salt content by approximately 23% in comparison to dry salt. 

The demopark is Europe's largest open-air exhibition for the green space maintenance industry and is located in Eisenach. Although the demopark could not take place this year due to the pandemic, around 50 innovations were submitted for the innovations competition. 

Download press article and media pack: Amazone IceTiger - bringing more precision to winter road gritting

Amazone now offers the IceTiger, an innovative new mounted spreader for the application of salt and brine with the highest precision and which represents a completely new development. The new conveying technology, via a belt floor, makes the application of salts with different moisture contents possible, even in very small quantities, as well as for the application of slip-preventing materials such as grit or sand. The IceTiger, when used in combination with the comfortable ISOBUS control, becomes a precision machine for winter grit spreading.

Innovation: Smart Precision System – adjustable belt floor and electric delivery point adjustment via ISOBUS

Hydraulically-driven feed of the material to be spread via the belt floor is a unique feature. Thanks to the wide contact surface, the material to be spread is continuously transported without clogging and bridging towards a chute which feeds it down onto the spreading disc. A hydraulic motor allows the speed of the belt floor to be precisely adjusted to run fast or slow, so that even extremely small quantities - down to 5 g/m² - can be applied as and when required. Working widths from 2 to 8 m are possible from the precision spreading disc. The IceTiger can therefore be perfectly tailored to the demands of the area needing treating.

The Smart Precision System also offers a significant advantage from the electric delivery point adjustment via ISOBUS. In this respect, the required degree of spread to the left or right is set comfortably and easily from the tractor seat. The spread fan is shifted by an electric actuator whilst the vehicle is travelling on the road. Fully automatically, the electric delivery point adjustment then accurately sets the delivery point of the material to be spread in order to produce the desired symmetrical or asymmetrical spread pattern. This electric delivery point adjustment works in conjunction with the automatic regulation of the spreading disc speed. This flexible adjustment of the working width allows the spread pattern to be precisely set for either spreading just one lane or two lanes at the same time. Furthermore, the triangular spread pattern can be brought inwards in such a way that, for example on roundabouts, the complete road surface is covered in an optimum manner.

In the cab, Amazone offers the in-house developed, AmaTron 4 ISOBUS terminal meaning that even tractors which are not ISOBUS-compatible as standard can be retrofitted with the AmaTron 4 for winter road gritting. The tablet-style terminal features an 8” multi-touch colour display with day-night mode, a practical quick-start menu with intelligent menu navigation as well as automatic fade-in of the touch buttons via proximity sensors. All functions in the work menu can be actuated via the AmaPilot⁺ multi-function joystick or other ISOBUS multi-function joysticks for maximum comfort.

Optional: Integrated pre-wetted salt system

The IceTiger can be equipped with a brine applicator with a total tank capacity of 500 l for the application of FS30 pre-wetted salt as an option. Solid salt and brine are mixed together immediately upstream of the spreading disc, whereby the precisely adjustable supply of brine is provided via a hydraulically driven pump with dry-run protection. The mixing of the two products results in a reduction of the salt content by approx. 23% compared to dry salt. Apart from faster de-icing, wind losses are significantly reduced.

Smart operation with EasySet 2 – cost-effective and environmentally-friendly

The basic version of the IceTiger is controlled via the machine-specific EasySet 2 in-cab terminal. The simple, intuitive operation only requires a brief instruction period making it ideal for operations that use multiple drivers. After the required spread rate and the desired working width have been entered, the application rate is regulated automatically depending on the forward speed. The delivery point is adjusted manually when using EasySet 2. The +100% function can be used to double the spread rate on critical areas, such as on bridges or at road junctions. The calibration of working width, speed and application rate is also possible at the touch of a button. In addition, the LED work lights and the rotating beacon can be actuated via EasySet 2. A reversing camera with a view of the spread pattern as well as an internal hopper camera for monitoring the fill level are optional.

Larger hopper for higher work rates

The basic version of the IceTiger winter salt spreader is equipped with a 1,000 litre hopper. The hopper has a favourable centre of gravity created by the 3-point linkage positioning and the steep hopper walls. Any material residues are therefore reliably avoided. But, as an option, the capacity can be expanded up to a maximum of 1,900 l by means of 300 l or 600 l extensions.