ADB-380 Fertilizer Applicator

🌱 Precision Band Application — Zero Waste

Fertilizer is placed in concentrated bands along the crop row — not scattered across the entire field. Studies show banded application delivers 20–40% higher nutrient use efficiency compared to broadcasting. You use less fertilizer for the same crop response, saving money on inputs while reducing environmental run-off and groundwater contamination.

🗃 1,050 kg Total Hopper Capacity

Three hoppers at 350 kg each give a total 1,050 kg capacity — enough for extended working runs between refills. At a typical potato fertilizer rate of 250–400 kg/ha, a full load covers approximately 2.5–4 hectares before refilling. This minimizes downtime and keeps the operation productive across large fields.

🔄 Fast 8–10 km/h Working Speed

The ADB-380 operates at 8–10 km/h — significantly faster than most soil preparation implements. At 75 cm row spacing, this covers approximately 1.8–2.3 hectares per hour of banded fertilizer application. Combined with the 1,050 kg hopper capacity, the machine maintains high productivity across large potato and vegetable acreages.

⚡ Only 75 HP — Fits Compact Tractors

At 600 kg empty with no PTO load, the ADB-380 requires just 75 hp. Compatible with John Deere 5E, New Holland T4, Case IH Farmall A, Kubota M6, Massey Ferguson 4700, Fendt 200 series, and virtually every compact or mid-range tractor operating on row-crop farms worldwide.

💰 Lower Fertilizer Cost Per Hectare

Banded application uses 20–40% less fertilizer than broadcasting for the same crop yield. On a 100-hectare potato farm applying 350 kg/ha of NPK, this can save 7,000–14,000 kg of fertilizer per season. At current fertilizer prices, the ADB-380 can pay for itself in fertilizer savings alone within the first season.

🔧 Independent Row Control

Three separate hoppers with individual metering allow each row to be independently controlled — shut off individual rows on headlands, apply different rates to different rows, or disable a row when operating on irregular field edges. This precision control prevents double-dosing on overlaps and eliminates waste on partial passes.

🌏 Combine With Ridging for One-Pass Potato Management

The ADB-380 is designed to be used in sequence with a potato furrower or ridger. Apply banded fertilizer into the furrow, then ridge over it in a follow-up pass — or combine both operations if your tractor can support a front-mounted fertilizer applicator with a rear-mounted ridger. Either way, the fertilizer is placed exactly where the developing tubers will access it, maximizing nutrient uptake and yield potential.

🥔 Potato Farming — Banded Fertilizer Before or During Hilling

The primary application: applying NPK base fertilizer in bands along potato rows before planting or during hilling. Banding places nutrients directly in the root zone — 20–40% more efficient than broadcasting. Combined with a ridging pass, this one-two operation feeds and hills the crop simultaneously, delivering maximum yield potential with minimum fertilizer expenditure.

🌽 Vegetable Production — Root Zone Nutrient Placement

For carrot, onion, garlic, leek, and other row-planted vegetables, banded fertilizer application delivers nutrients exactly where the root system develops. The adjustable row spacing (60–100 cm) accommodates all common vegetable row widths. Targeted placement reduces fertilizer use, minimizes salt damage risk to young seedlings, and improves nutrient uptake uniformity across the field.

🍚 Tropical Root Crops — Sweet Potato, Yam & Cassava

In tropical regions, sweet potato, yam, and cassava growers use the ADB-380 to apply fertilizer in bands along wider-spaced ridges (90–100 cm). The 1,050 kg total capacity handles the higher application rates often required in tropical soils with low natural fertility. Banding is especially effective in high-rainfall tropical environments where broadcast fertilizer is quickly leached away.

🌱 Soil Amendment & Liming — Targeted Application

Beyond fertilizer, the ADB-380 can apply granular lime, gypsum, micronutrient blends, or other dry soil amendments in bands along crop rows. This targeted approach places amendments where they have the greatest impact on root-zone pH and nutrient availability, rather than spreading them uniformly across areas that may not need correction.

🌎 Cooperative & Development Farming

For cooperatives and agricultural development projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the ADB-380 provides precision fertilizer application at an accessible price. Its 75 hp requirement fits within standard cooperative tractor fleets, and the 20–40% fertilizer savings over broadcasting make a significant economic impact for smallholder growers operating on tight input budgets.

Q1: What is the advantage of banded fertilizer vs. broadcast spreading?

Banded application places fertilizer directly in the crop root zone, resulting in 20–40% higher nutrient use efficiency. You achieve the same or better crop yield with less fertilizer, saving money on inputs and reducing environmental run-off. Broadcasting scatters fertilizer across inter-row areas where no roots exist — a significant waste.

Q2: What fertilizer types can the ADB-380 handle?

The ADB-380 handles all dry, free-flowing granular materials: NPK compound, urea, ammonium sulphate, granular lime, potash, gypsum, micronutrient blends, and dry organic fertilizer pellets. The metering mechanism is adjustable for different granule sizes. Liquid fertilizers are not compatible.

Q3: How many hectares can one full load cover?

At a typical potato rate of 300 kg/ha, a full 1,050 kg load covers approximately 3.5 hectares. At a lighter vegetable rate of 150 kg/ha, coverage extends to approximately 7 hectares per load. At a heavy liming rate of 500 kg/ha, approximately 2 hectares per load.

Q4: Can I use the ADB-380 together with a potato furrower?

Yes. The ADB-380 is specifically designed to complement potato furrowers and ridgers. The most common workflow is: pass 1 with the ADB-380 to band-apply fertilizer into the furrow, then pass 2 with a potato furrower to ridge over the fertilizer band, placing nutrients directly in the developing root zone.

Q5: Can I shut off individual rows?

Yes. Each of the three hoppers has independent metering control. Shut off any row on headlands, irregular edges, or partial passes to prevent double-dosing or waste. Each row can also be set to a different application rate if needed.

Q6: Does the ADB-380 require PTO or hydraulics?

The metering mechanism is ground-driven or gravity-fed — no PTO or hydraulic connections are typically required for the standard configuration. The implement mounts on a standard Cat 2 three-point hitch. Contact us to confirm the exact metering drive configuration for your order.

Q7: Is the row spacing adjustable?

Yes. The hopper and distribution assemblies mount on adjustable clamps along the toolbar, allowing row spacing from 60 to 100 cm. Standard configuration is 75 cm for potato; tell us your crop spacing when ordering and we will pre-set the machine to your requirement.

Q8: How do I calibrate the application rate?

The metering mechanism has a calibrated adjustment that controls flow volume per unit of distance traveled. Calibration is performed by collecting output from each hopper over a measured distance and adjusting until the target kg/hectare rate is achieved. We provide detailed calibration instructions with every machine.

Q9: Do you ship the ADB-380 internationally?

Yes, we export worldwide. Production takes 15–20 days. The ADB-380’s compact size and 600 kg weight make it economical to ship. We handle all export documentation and offer CIF or FOB pricing. Please contact our team for a quotation.

Q10: What maintenance does the ADB-380 require?

After each use: flush hoppers and metering mechanisms with clean water to remove fertilizer residue (fertilizer is corrosive). Inspect metering mechanism calibration. Check distribution tubes for blockages. After each season: inspect all bolts, clamps, and hitch pins; check hopper walls for corrosion; apply protective grease to bare metal surfaces. The simple design means minimal mechanical maintenance.

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