This story began almost 100 years ago, in a time, when mineral fertiliser was still spread manually on most farms. So in 1915, the founder of Amazone, Heinrich Dreyer, invented a new worm auger spreader and applied for a patent on it. Compared with either the slit or chain fertiliser spreaders, which were al-ready in use at that time, this worm auger spreader, called by the model name "Michel", proved to be easier to pull and more precise. Offered in different widths from 1.5 to 4 m, it could, in the field, evenly distribute all the usual fertilisers, irrespective of whether dry or wet. In addition, due to relatively low production costs, it was also affordable for smaller farms and thus quickly conquered wider agriculture.


The "Michel" worm auger spreader featured working widths from 1.5 to 4 m. Today, the twin disc spreader programme includes working widths of up to 54 m

Sales developed so successfully that, in total, more than 250,000 worm auger spread-ers of the most versatile versions were sold. Even during the 1960's, more than 10,000 units left the assembly line. However, the demand slowly receded and then, in 1986, production was stopped completely. But, in the meantime, the ZA twin disc spreader, developed by Prof. h.c. (SAA Samara) RAAS Dr. Dr. h.c. Heinz Dreyer, had replaced the worm auger spreader as its successor.

The ZA developed into an even larger success story that again made AMAZONE unrivalled for many years in the sector of fertiliser spreaders. Since 1958, Amazone has sold far more than 700,000 ZA fertiliser spreaders. The successful main principles of the ZA fertiliser spreaders included the spreading discs being driven in opposing directions, allowing, a mirrored, evenly precise spread pattern to both the left and right hand side of the direction of travel.