Friday, 13 August 2021 06:55

Greater seeding flexibility

Written by  Mark Daniel
The Lemken Solitair 9+ Duo seed drill offers the option of simultaneously spreading seeds. fertiliser and catch crops. The Lemken Solitair 9+ Duo seed drill offers the option of simultaneously spreading seeds. fertiliser and catch crops.

Just a year after the market launch of the Solitair 9+ pneumatic seed drill, manufacturer Lemken has introduced its new ‘Duo’ version with divided seed hopper.

This machine offers the option of simultaneously spreading seeds, fertiliser and catch crops. Available in working widths of three or four metres, the seed hopper on the Solitair 9+ Duo offers a capacity of 1,850 litres. This can be split 50/50 or 60/40, as a result, offering two application variants.

In the single-shot version, seed and fertiliser are combined downstream from the two metering units in each of the two hopper segments. From here, they are delivered to the double disc coulters via a single seed pipe and deposited in a seed furrow. This allows a starting dose of fertiliser to be added for winter sowing or a complete fertiliser application for summer sowing.

The double-shot system is said to provide greater flexibility, as the two components flow separately to a double disc coulter via doubled distributors using twin seed pipes. These can then be spread either in a single row, as with the single-shot method, or separately and alternately in two rows following a quick exchange of the tramline cartridge in the distributor.

In addition, the sowing depth of every other row can be adjusted separately via the pressure roller up to a difference of 5cm. This allows two different seeds to be placed at different, optimum seeding depths or inter-row fertiliser application during seeding.

In other Lemken news, the company has introduced the OptiStone automatic overload protection for its Juwel, Diamant and Titan ploughs. Comprising of a closed system of highly stable leg plates, which protects against dirt and foreign objects, a newly designed swivel bracket ensures high lateral tripping forces and optimal plough control in stony soils. When an obstacle is encountered, the new overload element can deflect up to 37cm upwards and 20cm sideways. The tripping forces can be continuously adjusted from the comfort of the driver’s seat to adapt to changing soil conditions.

If the system catches below a slab of stone or roots, it is additionally protected by a doublecut shear bolt to prevent damage to the plough.

The system also features high-strength radial spherical plain bearings to keep the plough bodies stable as the system deflects.

The plough bodies are firmly connected to the three-dimensional bearing points and therefore cannot unhitch – a clear advantage compared to the overload protection systems with four-point suspension commonly found on the market.

More like this

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this season.

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting the most from each pass of the paddock.

Kioti carves out a miracle among the big boys

Distributed by Power Farming Group, the Kioti tractor brand has carved a niche for itself over the past two decades by offering productive, reliable and well- priced machines in the sub-compact, compact and agricultural utility sectors, from 22 to 115hp.

Featured

LIC Space folds for good

Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.

Editorial: Time for common sense

OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Are they serious?

OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…

A hurry up!

OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter