increase font size
Laid out on the floor with the discharge sock tied off, a drill can be driven over the sheet, the hopper emptied and the machine moved out of the way.
While a 3.0m x 3.0m sheet of heavy-duty PVC might not seem to be cutting edge technology, sometimes the simplest ideas can often be very effective.
The Agricontract SeedSock expands on that basic PVC sheet, featuring lifting loops in each corner and a flexible discharge spout in the middle. It is said to make emptying a seed drill or fertiliser spreader hopper a whole lot easier.
Laid out on the floor with the discharge sock tied off, a drill can be driven over the sheet, the hopper emptied and the machine moved out of the way. The sheet is then gathered up and lifted using pallet forks or a hook attachment on a telehandler or front-end loader.
The 1.4m long outlet ‘sock’ at the centre of the sheet can be untied and the seed residue released into a sack or bulk bag.
Arable farmer Olly Harrison – known primarily for his YouTube videos and farming nearly 2,000 acres in the NW of England – came up with the idea, when he noted the time taken during drilling when changing from one seed variety to another.
By chance, his neighbour manufactured bouncy castles, so was well equipped to manufacture a bespoke “sheet” that could withstand the rigours of life on the farm.
He says that a lot of drills are awkward to empty and usually involve dumping seed on to a concrete floor, then sweeping and shovelling it into a sack. The SeedSock makes the job a whole lot quicker and easier by discharging on to a sheet that turns into a temporary container when lifted off the ground.
Other uses can include emptying a fertiliser spreader hopper after a mechanical break-down or preparing a “home -brew” cover crop seed mixture on the floor, like mixing concrete with a shovel, then loading it from the SeedSock into a drill. The large sheet can also be used to cover empty hoppers or seed or fertiliser on a trailer as weather protection.
The SeedSock is fully tested for CE/UKCA approval with a maximum load rating of 400kg SWL.
The arrival of new F8 and F9 designations for its 8000 and 9000 series forage harvesters, signals a swag of upgrades from John Deere, highlighted by topping the 1000hp mark for the first time.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson recently secured this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year title in Invercargill.
Ashburton-based Carrfields has signed an agreement with Manitou to take over the distribution and retail rights for Manitou Agricultural Equipment covering the lower North Island and the South Island, effective August 1, 2025.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
Samasz distributor FarmShop has introduced the new XDF Series Front Mowers, said to be refined for local conditions and to improve cutting precision and wear resistance.
A landmark New Zealand trial has confirmed what many farmers have long suspected - that strategic spring nitrogen use not only boosts pasture growth but delivers measurable gains in lamb growth and ewe condition.
It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
RaboResearch, the research arm of specialist agriculture industry banker Rabobank, sees positives for the Alliance Group in its proposed majority-stake sale to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
The ACT Party's call for a better deal on the Paris Agreement on climate change is being backed by farmer organisations.
A 50% tariff slapped by the US on goods from India last month has opened an opportunity for New Zealand wool carpets exports to North America.
OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having…
OPINION: The Gene Technology Bill has divided the farming community with strong arguments on both the pros and cons of…
