When fertilizing vineyards and orchards, loading capacity must be balanced against the space available. A high-capacity machine allows you to organize work more efficiently and reduce interruptions for refilling, but its dimensions must also be suitable for travelling between rows.
Athena Fruit, Eurospand’s trailed inter-row fertilizer spreader, is designed to meet both requirements. It offers a maximum capacity of 4,500 litres and a working width of just 1.4 metres, combining a high loading volume with a compact design.
In addition to its capacity, Athena Fruit features fully hydraulic drives, electronic weighing and several distribution management options. This combination is designed for farms that need to fertilize vineyards and orchards, including large plots.
Up to 4,500 Litres for Large Areas
When fertilizing extensive areas, refilling frequency affects the organization of the working day. Hopper capacity is therefore an important factor to consider alongside application rates and distribution methods.
With a maximum volume of 4,500 litres, Athena Fruit provides a substantial fertilizer reserve for inter-row operations. Actual operating autonomy depends on the material used and the application rate: hopper volume should not be confused with the weight of the fertilizer loaded.
The machine is designed to spread:
- Granular mineral fertilizers.
- Pelleted organic fertilizers.
- Seeds.
This versatility makes Athena Fruit suitable for consideration in fertilization programmes involving products with different characteristics.
Compact Dimensions for Vineyards and Orchards
High capacity is not the only feature that distinguishes Athena Fruit. Eurospand specifies a working width of just 1.4 metres, designed to allow operation even in narrower rows.
When choosing the right configuration, you should still compare the machine’s dimensions with the available space on your farm, taking into account row spacing, existing vegetation and manoeuvring areas.
Athena Fruit also comes with a standard hydraulic steering drawbar, a feature to consider alongside the machine’s overall dimensions and compatibility with the tractor.
The aim is to strike the right balance between loading capacity and suitability for the working environment, rather than choosing a machine based on hopper volume alone.
Hydraulic Drives: No PTO Shaft Required
One of Athena Fruit’s distinguishing features is that its working components do not require a power take-off (PTO) shaft. All drives are hydraulic, eliminating the need for a PTO drive shaft.
The machine’s design therefore differs from that of fertilizer spreaders powered through a PTO transmission. Before choosing a configuration, it is important to check with your dealer that the tractor’s hydraulic system is compatible with the required setup.
Athena Fruit also features a camera that indicates the product level and signals when the conveyor belt needs to be activated. This helps operators monitor the supply of material to the dosing area during operation.
Agitator-Free Vibro System and Stainless-Steel Components
Athena Fruit comes standard with the agitator-free Vibro System.
Product handling is a key consideration for a machine designed to spread different types of fertilizer, from mineral products to pelleted organic fertilizers. For this reason, in addition to capacity, it is worth evaluating the entire feeding, metering and distribution system.
Athena Fruit also features:
- Standard stainless steel filtering grids.
- Stainless steel dosing and distribution components.
- A rubber conveyor belt with a stainless-steel sliding bed.
- Stainless steel protective covers and mudguards.
These features should be included in the technical assessment, alongside the machine’s recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures.
Electronic Weighing and Flexible Control Options
Electronic weighing is available on all Athena Fruit versions. The range includes hydraulically and electronically controlled solutions, with DPAE configurations and the option of ISOBUS electronics.
This allows you to choose the level of control best suited to your farm’s operations and tractor equipment.
It is important to distinguish between standard features and optional technologies. The presence of an electronic weighing system does not mean that every machine automatically includes all available electronic functions. The configuration should be defined during the selection process.
Targeted Fertilization with Ultrasonic Sensors
An optional kit featuring two ultrasonic sensors is available for precision fertilization.
The sensors detect the presence of plants and activate spreading near them, avoiding fertilizer application in areas where it is not required.
This solution is worth considering when you want to adjust fertilizer delivery according to the presence of plants along the row, rather than spreading continuously.
From Localized Application to Full-Field Spreading
Athena Fruit is designed for inter-row fertilization, but it can also be adapted for full-field spreading thanks to its removable rear cover.
This feature expands the machine’s potential applications. The chosen setup must still take into account the material being spread and the required distribution pattern.
Eurospand also offers a range of accessories, including a kit for localized fertilization along vegetable rows, left- and right-hand deflectors for field-edge or central-row fertilization, and a foldable hopper cover.
How to Choose the Right Configuration for Your Farm
Before configuring Athena Fruit, gather some information about your intended applications:
- Which fertilizers will you use, and at what application rates?
- How much space is available between rows?
- What hydraulic and electronic equipment does your tractor have?
- Do you need localized, central-row or broadcast spreading?
- Will you need to travel on public roads with a road-approved version?
Athena Fruit is available with or without European road approval. If you plan to travel on public roads, check with your dealer which version and braking system are suitable for your intended tractor combination
Capacity and Technology for Inter-Row Operations
Athena Fruit combines a capacity of up to 4,500 litres with a compact design, hydraulic drives that eliminate the need for a PTO shaft, the Vibro System and electronic weighing.
Its value lies not only in the amount of material it can carry, but also in the ability to configure the machine according to the fertilizers used, the row layout and the farm’s operational requirements.
Discover Athena Fruit on the Eurospand website and contact your dealer to identify the configuration best suited to your vineyards and orchards.