DIY precision planters

The unit comprises eight Kinze 3005 row units, each fitted with Ag Leader’s high-tech SureSpeed metering and SureForce downforce regulation systems and mounted to a customdesigned three-point linkage tool bar, with 15 to 20-inch rowing spacing for different crops.

The unit comprises eight Kinze 3005 row units, each fitted with Ag Leader’s high-tech SureSpeed metering and SureForce downforce regulation systems and mounted to a custom-designed three-point linkage tool bar, with 15 to 20-inch rowing spacing for different crops. SureSpeed is an integrated 1.7 or 3-bushel hopper, singulation, metering and powered delivery system that achieves precise seed placement at any operating speed from 2 to 19 km/h, placing the seed in the furrow at the same speed as the tractor. SureForce automatically adjusts the downward or upward pressure in each row unit to maintain a consistent planting depth across varying soil types and planting conditions, using dual-acting hydraulic actuators that produce up to 295kg of downforce and up to 115kg of uplift. Both systems are controlled using the Ag Leader InCommand display, which also controls the tractor’s auto steering system.

The unit was constructed by long-standing friend, Spencer Marshall, who also operates a precision planting business each summer. The machine’s row units were sourced from the US, the SeedCommand equipment from Un Earth Ag in Rotorua and the display and steering systems from Advance Agriculture in Gore.

“All told, the planter cost about $225,000 to construct, excluding labour; more than you’d pay for a conventional planter, but there is nothing like it in the country,” Hamish says.

Finished in mid- November, the planter was immediately put to work planting a 2.7ha swede crop on Hamish’s 400ha family sheep and deer farm. The crop yielded about 20 t/ha, with test runs at speeds of up to 17 km/h achieving the same placement accuracy as the more usual drilling speed of 8 or 9 km/h. Hamish went on to plant 325ha of forage crops across 36 Southland and West Otago farms over a hectic eight-week period last summer.

“To be honest, it was a bit stressful trialling a new machine,” he says. “We have a few issues but two of them were my fault. Everyone held their breath for a few weeks, but the crop emergence was perfect.”

After working in the US, Spencer Marshall returned to NZ just as fodder beet was starting to take off. It had had to be precision planted but as the nearest contractor was 50km away, he saw an opportunity and set up his own contracting business in 2016. Today, Precision Direct Drilling plants more than 800ha of forage crops throughout Southland and West Otago each summer.

After working in the US, Spencer Marshall returned to NZ just as fodder beet was starting to take off. It had had to be precision planted but as the nearest contractor was 50km away, he saw an opportunity and set up his own contracting business in 2016. Today, Precision Direct Drilling plants more than 800ha of forage crops throughout Southland and West Otago each summer.

Spencer notes, “I specifically wanted a trailed machine for greater visibility in front of the tractor, a large hopper and the ability to direct drill a range of crops”.

Once again, each row unit is equipped with Ag Leader’s SureDrive electric drive and SureForce hydraulic downforce systems. SureDrive automatically adjusts the speed of the planter’s existing meter to maintain a constant planting rate around turns and precise end-ofrow shut-off. Each row unit is completely independent in terms of its metering and downforce.

“You can waste a lot of seed, particularly when you’re not working in a nice, squared-shaped paddock, so I estimate I’m easily saving 10% in seed costs for my clients.”