Thursday, 19 November 2020 12:30

Front hopper seed drill eases sowing pressure

Written by  Mark Daniel
Pöttinger has expanded its range of Aerosem pneumatic seed drills, with the addition of 4 metre and 5 metre folding version units with a front hopper. Pöttinger has expanded its range of Aerosem pneumatic seed drills, with the addition of 4 metre and 5 metre folding version units with a front hopper.

Austrian tillage and seed drill manufacturer Pöttinger has expanded its range of Aerosem pneumatic seed drills, with the addition of 4 metre and 5 metre folding versions units with a front hopper.

A key benefit of the layout is said to be convenient operation, making settings such as working depth, coulter pressure and seed rate calibration easy to perform, as there are no access issues, which can be a problem with conventionally mounted seed hoppers.

The front hopper, available in 1700 or 2300 litre capacities, is fitted with an airtight cover. It features a service platform to provide better visibility into the hopper during filling.

The hopper can be configured with a standard single metering unit, or the newly developed dual metering unit. This new, Single Shoot metering system, lets you apply not only seed but also fertiliser into the seed slot in one pass, so offers maximum flexibility during the planting season. 

The coulter rail on the Aerosem FDD is mounted on the power harrow using a quick-fit locking system. It can be configured with an optional hydraulic lifting system for the coulter rail to increase ground clearance. The unit uses a short headstock to place the centre of gravity closer to the tractor, while the distributor head – mounted on the coulter rail – features a patented system to ensure it is always kept in a vertical position.
Seed distribution is controlled using the distributor head, which can be provided with individually controllable outlets (IDS) as an option. While using the fully-equipped version, the driver can easily adjust the tramline widths and tyre widths directly at the control terminal to set up a perfect tramline system.

At the same time, Pöttinger has also introduced its new LION 403 C and LION 503 C folding power harrows, with working widths of 4 or 5 metres and suitable for tractors up to 320hp.

The folding frame concept, with the headstock and entire folding frame mounted on the machine, results in a short and compact power harrow that is up to 30cm shorter than many others. This brings the centre of gravity is closer to the rear axle and better weight transfer to the front axle.

Both models fold to a transport width of 2.55 metres. An integrated levelling board, adjust automatically with depth control, retaining its set distance above the soil and distance from the rotor tines. A choice of rollers includes toothed, prism packer and rubber options, with a choice of diameters on the toothed and prism packer.

More like this

New parts distribution centre for Agco

Agco Corporation has unveiled plans to build a new Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) at Amnéville (Les Portes de l’Orne) on the outskirts of Metz in the Mosselle region, just 12km from its existing Ennery site.

Auto feeding system keeps cows well fed in paddocks

Dutch manufacturer Hanskamp, perhaps best known for its Cow Toilet that collects urine, has developed a mobile unit to automatically feed concentrates to individual dairy and beef cattle while they are out in the field.

Telescopic front-end loader

An interesting concept emerged at the recent EIMA show in Italy, where Italian company Aries - a front linkage manufacturer - showed its concept FL S3 Tele-End telescopic front-end loader for tractors.

AI-powered robotic feed pusher

While most New Zealand farmers operate with animals at pasture all year round, unlike their European counterparts, several operations in the South Island have invested in cow barns to beat the often-inclement weather.

How to make perfect silage

Creating perfect silage is both a science and an art, and it all begins with the right tools, according to machinery maker Claas.

Featured

‘Nanobubble’ trial trims irrigation water usage

North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson, is enjoying a huge reduction in irrigation water use after converting a pivot irrigator to drag perforated drip tubes across the ground instead of elevated sprinkler heads.

Editorial: Elusive India FTA

OPINION: Without doubt, a priority of the Government this year will be to gain traction on the elusive free trade deal with India.

Sport star to talk at expo

Rugby league legend Tawera Nikau is set to inspire, celebrate and entertain at the East Coast Farming Expo's very popular Property Broker's Evening Muster.

Road to grand final continues

The first FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional Final will kick off at the Helensville Showgrounds this Saturday.

National

Sweet or sour deal?

Not all stakeholders involved in the proposed merger of honey industry groups - ApiNZ and Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association…

Rise in fall armyworm numbers

Populations of fall armyworm are two to three weeks more advanced than they have been in previous seasons, bringing calls…

Tractor therapy

While many MPs have been busy taking holidays in maybe exotic places, for Andrew Hoggard it's back to his old…

A steep learning curve

A steep learning curve, a very busy year and thank heavens for tractor therapy. That's how Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew…

Machinery & Products

Batten Buddy - cleverly simple

Stopping livestock from escaping their environment is a “must do” for any farmers or landowners and at times can seem…

U10 Pro Highland a step up

A few weeks after driving the CF MOTO U10 Pro ‘entry level’ model, we’ve had a chance to test the…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Times have changed

OPINION: Back in the 1960s and '70s, and even into the '80s, successive National government Agriculture Ministers and Trade Ministers…

Hallelujah moment

OPINION: The new Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche has just had the hallelujah moment of the 21st century in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter