Reliable technology for demanding conditions – Leeb VL
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On Joe Sierens' family farm in southern Manitoba, Canada, Leeb VL technology is put to the test in demanding conditions.
On about 2,200 acres (890 ha), Joe Sierens and his family, among other things, produce seed for wheat, barley, oats, peas and soybeans. To ensure quality and yields, he has been relying on the HORSCH Leeb VL for plant protection for years.
Challenges and motivation
“The weather is our biggest challenge,” Joe Sierens puts it in a nutshell. He is increasingly confronted with extremes: strong winds, heavy rain, prolonged periods of drought. At the same time, the requirement on plant protection, documentation and efficiency increases. “We produce seed. We can't afford to make any mistakes,” Sierens says.
Five passes per year, depending on the crop, are not uncommon on the farm. Every detail counts, and this is where the Leeb VL excels. Sierens is particularly impressed by the active boom control system BoomControl: “The sensors face forward, not directly down – that makes a huge difference on uneven terrain.” Even in the case of strong winds which are common in Manitoba the boom maintains a stable distance from the ground. This reduces drift and increases application accuracy. “If you don't achieve good wetting, you won't get any effect. It's that simple.”
The high clearance of up to 2 m is also a key factor for Sierens: “Our rapeseed crops can grow very tall. Many sprayers don't have enough clearance, so the rapeseed plants touch the underbody and get damaged. The Leeb VL simply runs over them. That's worth its weight in gold.”
Reliable technology
But it's not just with regard to clearance that the Leeb VL impresses. Other details also make a difference in everyday use, e.g. cleaning: “We produce seed, so the sprayer has to be clean every evening. Cleaning is automated.” This is ensured by the continuous inside cleaning system (CCS) – an innovative water circuit that simplifies cleaning. For the farmer, fast, thorough and, above all, safe cleaning is a real advantage.
The farm uses a Leeb VL with a tank capacity of 6,000 l. An 8,000 l tank is now also available which, in combination with the clearance of up to 2 m, is an absolute highlight on the market. Due to the four-wheel steering and compact design, the machine can also handle tight turning manoeuvres on smaller fields. The cabins of the Leeb self-propelled sprayers have also been updated and now provide greater comfort during intensive use and impress due to the state-of-the-art and functional design. Armrest and joystick have been specially adapted for plant protection applications.
By now, these advantages have completely convinced Joe Sierens, even though he was sceptical before deciding on the VL: "I even wanted a return option – now I would never give it back and I'm already working with my fourth self-propelled Leeb sprayer. I think we have to keep up with technology. It's constantly changing. And a new technology brings about improvements. You just have to keep to it. There are costs involved in remaining up to date – but there are also costs involved in not doing so," the farmer says.
On the Canadian farm, the Leeb VL has become an indispensable machine that ensures precise application even in difficult conditions and meets the highest quality requirements in seed production. Precision and ease of use make it a reliable solution for the requirements of the farm.