When your equipment dealer’s representative takes time to sit down with you and discuss your equipment requirements to find out exactly what you need before he recommends something, you know he has your interests at heart. Clint Bruyns, Manager of Kapinga Farms at Mazabuka, says this is the kind of service he receives from his local AFGRI branch.

When Kapinga decided to incorporate precision farming on all levels of their operations, Clint turned to PJ Erasmus, Mechanisation Specialist from AFGRI, for advice on equipment to suit their needs. Kapinga grows maize, soy beans, wheat, barley and sugar cane, and all equipment used on the farm must be able to handle a huge workload, apart from fitting into a precision system. The Amazone ZA-M 3001 ProfiS Hydro Fertiliser Spreader was recommended by PJ, and Clint says he is quite impressed with it. “I see a lot of equipment coming into Zambia, but not everything is suited to our conditions. The Amazone equipment is robust and sturdy and I have no complaints. In fact, I am looking to use other Amazone equipment as well, such as their compact disc harrow.”

Clint says the spreader is easy to use and although PJ initially helped him to set it up and calibrate it, it is very easy to calibrate from the comfort of the tractor’s cabin. The ZA-M Profis has a weighing system and a Tronic Pack for accurate forward speed related spread rate control (kg/ha) as standard equipment. The spreader has an integrated serial interface for combination with a GPS terminal or N-sensors, and is equipped with a base hopper of 1 500 litres which can be increased up to 3 000 litres by using extensions. Victor van der Berg, Branch & Sales Manager of AFGRI’s Mazabuka Branch, confirms that the most popular Amazone equipment in Zambia are their spreading, soil tillage and spraying machines, especially the UF 3-point sprayer range, the ZG-B trailed spreader range and the Catros compact disc harrow. Amazone implements are distributed by Falcon Equipment based in South Africa, and they have chosen AFGRI to be the sole authorised Amazone dealer in Zambia. Victor says: “We supply parts and service for the Amazone range of equipment in Zambia. We have dedicated field technicians who service and support ALL the equipment we offer as a dealership, regardless of a farm’s location.” He says they are very excited about the Amazone range of equipment now on offer at their branches in Lusaka, Mkushi and Mazabuka. “We have sold several Amazone implements and have had nothing but great feedback from our clients.” Victor says that Amazone equipment is exceptionally well suited for Zambia’s tough farming conditions. “The equipment is of high quality, well manufactured and extremely reliable.”

The complete range of spreaders include the ZAX, ZAM, ZA-TS and ZG-TS with capacities ranging from 500 to 8 200 litres with spreading widths of 10 to 54 metres. Sprayers include the UF 3-point with tank sizes ranging from 900 to 2 800 litres and spray booms from 12 to 28 metres. Trailed sprayers include the UG-series with tank sizes of 2 200 and 3 000 litres and booms from 15 to 28 metres and the UX-series of 3 200 to 11 200 litres with booms from 24 to 40 metres. Amongst the compact discs, the Catros with its work speed of 12 to 18 km/h and working width of 3 to 12 metres is the undisputed leader in Zambia. But, as Clint says, good equipment is just the beginning. “I appreciate the fact that the representatives from AFGRI are actively involved in field operations. We learn together and grow together.”

For more information, contact Victor van der Berg at vdb@afgri.com.za or 00260-96 385-3388, or visit the Amazone stand at Agritech Expo.

At a recent demonstration near Mazabuka the farmers were very impressed with the Amazone Catros compact disc harrow.