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Manure Tank
Rolls Along The Ground

Dutch farmer Johan Sterken has reduced ground compaction to a minimum with his innovative liquid slurry tank that rolls along the ground.

The rolling tank is actually an 8-ft. wide, 6-ft. dia. flotation tire that's been modified to carry a load of liquid manure. When full, it rolls on the ground.

Sterken "self-propelled" his Terra Care system by attaching a Valmet tractor unit to the front frame of the slurry unit. The front axle is removed from the 90 hp. tractor, improving the turning radius of the rig. An articulation joint with two cylinders where the tractor joins the trailing unit steers.

Sterken says the biggest problem remaining is that his doesn't have enough capacity. It holds 1400 gal. (5.3 cu. M.) but he has been unable to find a bigger tire. He's currently adding a 2.5 cvu.m. holding tank to the drawbar which will increase total capacity to 8 cu.m. He might also add a second tire to the rig and possibly a larger holding tank, increasing total capacity to 16 cu.m.

A fill hose enters the end of the tire through the special-built bearings.

Sterken is gearing up to produce the machine, which is expected to cost 20% more than a conventional self-propelled tank.

Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Johan Sterken, Terra Care, Otmansweg 3, Ommen, Nederland (ph 011 31 529 453176; fax 011 31 529 453176; E-mail: joh.sterken@plannet.nl)

Photo and story excerpted from Classic Tractor Magazine, Burnhill business Centre, 50 Burnhill Rd., Beckenham, Kent. BR3 3LA United Kingdom

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