Thursday, 05 December 2019 11:33

Air drill offers speed and capacity

Written by  Mark Daniel
Amazone's new Precea precision air-seeder. Amazone's new Precea precision air-seeder.

The German manufacturer Amazone claims its new Precea precision air-seeder is accurate and user-friendly even at operating speeds of up to 20 km/h.

The new series comprises the rigid-framed 3000 model with 75 cm row spacing, the telescopic 4500-2 model with spacing from 45 cm to 80 cm and the Precea 3000-A unit that mounts to the company’s KX or KG rotary cultivators for one-pass seedbed prep and sowing.

Available in New Zealand from next spring, and said to be ideal for sowing maize, the Precea uses a new pressurised seed metering unit. Seed flowing from the hopper is pressed against holes in the singling disc, with excess seed stripped off by three adjustable fingers to eliminate doubles. An optical seed monitor indicates misses or doubles to allow adjustments, or an optional SmartControl system adjusts the singling process automatically.

The standard mechanical Speed Shaft drive system allows operating speeds up to 12 km/h without any compromise in accuracy. Meanwhile, the optional ElectricDrive system, controlled via any suitable ISOBUS terminals, can offer operating speeds of up to 20 km/h. 

This option also allows seeding rate adjustment via the terminal to deal with, say, marginal rows or areas that are under application map control. Additionally, individual rows can be shut off to create tramlines or in areas of short or tapering ground.

For soil engagement, all models use the PreTeC mulch seeding coulter unit, with soil opening achieved by a double disc unit that incorporates a furrow former. Once the seed has been placed with the aid of the catcher roller, V-pressure rollers close the furrow slot.

Coulter pressures can be adjusted to a maximum rating of 220 kg using the standard mechanical system or to a 400 kg rating using the optional hydraulic system. 

A range of soil-engaging options includes clod and star clearers to remove clods, stones, straw or crop residue from the seeding area. 

The 55L airtight seed hoppers can be quickly emptied without the need for tools and can be fitted with fill level sensors for low-seed warnings. Depending on model, the Precea can also be fitted with a 950 or 1250L fertiliser bin and optional filling auger.

Fertiliser is individually metered for each row and is actively conveyed by an air stream to the individually adjustable, double disc fertiliser coulters to ensure continuous fertiliser feed. 

All models can be equipped with a new micro-granular applicator with a 17L hopper for micro-nutrients, insecticides or slug pellets.

More like this

Bigger booms add more bang

At next week’s Agritechnica Event – in Hanover, Germany – Amazone will showcase several tweaks to its sprayer line-up, alongside the arrival of some new additions.

Easy-to-use terminal

Amazone's new AmaSpread 2 terminal is said to provide users with simple menu navigation of the ZA-V Profis Control weigh cell fertiliser spreader.

Seven-year guarantee against rust

Paintwork on a fertiliser spreader is exposed to heavy wear and tear due to the potentially corrosive nature of the products being spread, particularly if they are exposed to any moisture.

75k sprayers later

Cultivation and spraying specialist Amazone recently delivered its 75,000th sprayer unit.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter