German Rauch equipment is handled by Kuhn Farm Machinery in the UK. Topping the spreader range is a 7,000-litre unit that takes a radically different approach, so we couldn’t resist the chance to see what it can do
IAconventional trailed spreader normally has a moving floor built into its hopper. Not this Rauch, though. Its red hopper is a simple, well-based trailer, backed by an auger that takes material from the centre and freights it to a separate, linkage-mountedspreader located aft of the wheels. And the Rauch is big: its capacity is 7,000 litres and it stands 3.17m tall by 2.52m wide — just check out its size against the 185hp Fendt 818 in the picture below. UK models can travel at up to 40km/hr and attach to the tractor by a cranked drawbar.
Hydraulic requirements depend on the model, with the pto-powered option needing just two double-acting spools. The hydraulic drive test combination was a little more demanding, asking for the two double-acting spools (one for spreader operation, one for the transfer auger), plus a load-sensing control line and flow/return hoses for the motor. All these find relatively safe storage on the spreader drawbar; but while there’s a self-explanatory sticker for what goes where, we’d still appreciate colour coding and positive/minus markings on the hoses themselves. Add in a brake line, lights and a cable for the electrics and it’s clear that this spreader needs a capable tractor up front, plus time to get it ready to go.
