Impressive in terms of crosswise and lengthwise distribution

The requirements for spreading manure have risen steadily in recent years. Good spreading quality is an essential requirement when choosing a manure spreader for spreading this important organic fertiliser on farmland. 

Both precise lateral and longitudinal spreading play an important role in manure distribution. In this regard, experts from DLG (German Agricultural Society) TestService GmbH subjected the BRANTNER TA 24078 POWER-SPREAD pro universal spreader with CSP2-2 universal spreading unit to the DLG test for manure distribution quality in August 2025.

It is essential for farmers to know which solutions best meet the high demands of practical application. The DLG APPROVED test mark provides important guidance.

The method for testing fertiliser spreaders

The test is based on the DLG test framework “Spreaders for organic solids” and the standard DIN EN 13080 “Manure spreaders – Environmental protection – Requirements and test methods”, which was developed at the DLG Test Centre for Technology and Farm Inputs, DLG TestService GmbH, in Groß-Umstadt. To determine the lateral distribution, collection containers (50 cm x 50 cm x 10 cm) are placed flush with each other across the direction of travel on the test area. The tractor then drives through the measuring section with the spreader to be tested. 

The quantities of spread material collected in the trays are weighed and calculated in relation to the area to determine the basic spreading pattern. The quality of the distribution is described by the coefficient of variation (CV). The CV value for the lateral distribution indicates how accurately the area is spread, taking into account the overlap after further connecting runs. The progression of the CV values shows when the permissible CV threshold is not reached and in which range the optimum working widths lie.

To determine the longitudinal distribution, the mass flow is measured by continuously recording the weight of the loading space while stationary during the complete emptying of a load. The following characteristic values are calculated from this:

• the characteristic manure application rate during unloading,
• the stretch within the tolerance zone (percentage of the unloading time during which the application rate is within the permissible tolerance),
• the optimum overlap of the connecting journey and
• the CV at optimum overlap.

As a general rule, the smaller the CV and the larger the tolerance zone, the better the distribution quality.

The setting options on the manure spreader

The spread rate on the BRANTNER TA 24078 POWER-SPREAD pro is determined by the feed rate of the transport floor, the opening height of the damper and the driving speed of the tractor. The transport floor speed can be varied continuously from 0.2 to 5 metres per minute. The transport floor is hydraulically driven. The opening height to the spreading mechanism can also be continuously adjusted on the control terminal using the damper. With the damper with position measuring system, the opening height is preset on the ISOBUS terminal and the damper is moved to the preset height at the touch of a button. The current height is displayed on the terminal and used for control purposes. On spreaders without ISOBUS equipment, the opening height is shown to the driver on a display (with a scale from 0 to 1.6 metres) on the front wall of the spreader. 

The entire spreading mechanism is driven by the PTO shaft (max. 1000 rpm). The spreading material is distributed across the direction of travel by two spreading discs. Each spreading disc is equipped with six swivelling spreading vanes. Seven different opening angles can be set on each spreading vane.

The opening angle is adjusted manually. The operating instructions provide the operator with information on how to adjust the spreading vanes for different spreading materials. The feed point of the spreading material can be adjusted to the spreading discs using the so-called foreign object flap.

The results of manure distribution

The coefficients of variation determined for the evaluation of lateral distribution are all below 20%. The lateral distribution of 10 t/ha of manure is rated as very good (+ +) at a working width of 14 metres and as good (+) at a working width of 15 metres. The lateral distribution at an application rate of 30 t/ha of manure and the corresponding working width of 11 metres is rated as very good (+ +) and at a working width of 25 metres as good (+). The results achieved in the DLG test for longitudinal distribution with manure spread at application rates of 10 and 30 t/ha are rated as good (+) without exception. At an application rate of 10 t/ha, the spread within the tolerance zone is 66.8% (good, +) and the coefficient of variation at optimal overlap is 11.8% (good, +). At an application rate of 30 t/ha, the spread within the tolerance zone is 72.9% (good, +) and the coefficient of variation at optimal overlap is 11.6% (good, +).

Information on the basic settings depending on the spreading material and the desired spreading quantity can be found in the operating instructions. Due to the very different material properties of the various spreading materials, it is advisable to check the spreader settings during a test run and optimise them if necessary.