Not even ploughs are escaping the world of electronic wizardry, with Lemken’s Juwel 8 packing a healthy dollop of technology to ease the task of setting up the machine and provide the option of on-the-move adjustment. No more than a gimmick? Or a step in the right direction? We attempt to find out in this practical test.
For Lemken the Juwel 8 is the first of a new generation of mounted ploughs, marrying electrohydraulic technology with longer lasting DuraMaxx wearing metal and a number of other novel features.
And those new features begin to make their presence felt right from when hitching up. For example, ploughmen familiar with the similar spec Lemken Opal 8 will encounter a taller headstock with a greater distance between lift arm couplers and top link holes. This is to accommodate the trend towards higher hp tractors with larger capacity linkages and to ensure the top link is pointing upwards. There’s also a three-pin electric socket and a simple, optional LED cab controller — the first hints of an ‘electro’ system that’s sure to become the trademark of this most modern of ploughs. All six hydraulic hoses are clearly labelled with durable decals and colour-coded caps.
Still up front, the 120mm diameter turnover shaft is taken from the Opal 8 but lacks the mechanical stops for setting the pitch. These are replaced by a controller in the headstock and an angle sensor so the plough knows its current pitch.
Finding a home for the various electronic gubbins means the two handy cubbyholes have had to vacate their integrated position in the headstock. There’s now just the one toolbox on the side of the headstock, but thankfully it’s still big enough to accommodate a selection of wearing metal and regularly used tools. The supplied spanners have also moved to a more awkward position on the right of the headstock.
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