McConnel showcased the multiple configurations of its new low-disturbance Seedaerator drill for the first time at Cereals 2014. Designed to enable more farmers and contractors to adopt a one-pass crop establishment system, the Seedaerator can now be configured to suit a range of different crop types and drilling methods.
Available with a wide selection of legs, coulters and additional options that enable fast and effective customisation to meet individual needs, the Seedaerator now offers unrivalled versatility and is effective as either a low-disturbance or direct drill.
Available post-purchase, the modules can be interchanged quickly and easily. Each module is designed to allow the drill to be tailored to meet specific requirements, or economically modified to suit different crops and changing seasonal conditions.
Five different modules are currently available and include:
- Front Disc Module – Attaching to the three-point linkage, the nine-disc module can be fitted or removed quickly and easily. Designed to slice through trash and cover crops, the discs minimise soil disturbance and ensure an even trash-flow.
- Twin Tank – Mounted behind the seed hopper, Twin Tank is a lightweight dual-product module that can be added to place micro-fertiliser or slug pullets with seed. The unit can also be used for companion planting of fine seeds. The metering unit operates in conjunction with the standard Seedaerator drill groundspeed radar but with its own in-cab control. This enables the unit to be easily retro-fitted to existing drills.
- Band Sowing Module – Sows nine 150mm rows, and can be specified with Standard, Dual Product or Narrow coulters. Self-cleaning press wheels can be adjusted to deliver consolidation from 40-140kg and ensure good seed to soil contact.
- Disc Drilling Module – An 18-row Direct Disc Drilling Module is now available. Each disc sows in a narrow 25mm band with 210mm press wheels delivering consolidation. These are adjustable to offer consolidation of between 40-160kg per coulter.
- Rear Tool Bar – This module can be supplied with one or two rows of tines or batter boards to create a uniform and even finish. Raising the rear harrow out of work leaves a clean trash-free area above the seed bands with any crop residue remaining on the undisturbed strips of soil between rows.
 |
| The Seedaerator with its range of optional modules. |
To further boost versatility, the cultivating front section of the Seedaerator can be fitted with a choice of Standard Wing, Low Disturbance and Wing Seeder legs.
The Low Disturbance legs are ideally suited to band sowing, and can be set to work at depths from 50-150mm. The Standard Wing legs are designed to offer low draught, deep soil shattering and can be set to operate at depths of 150 to 300mm. The new Wing Seeder leg,meanwhile, is fitted with a seed/fertiliser distribution outlet, enabling the leg to deep sow beans or place fertiliser.
Three coulter choices are also offered with a tungsten carbide leading edge and a soil-to-soil profile designed to minimise wear.
The Standard Coulter suits most drilling duties. Creating a 150mm wide band, it’s designed so soil throw is minimised to ensure excellent seed-to-soil contact. The new Dual Product Coulter is based on the standard design and enables seed and fertiliser to be placed at the same time. Finally, the new Narrow 60mm Coulter is also offered for drilling peas, OSR or beans at depths down to 150mm.
The other key features of the Seedaerator include:
- Fully mounted, three-point linkage mounting.
- 3.0m working and transport width.
- Easy-fit Front Disc Module option.
- Choice of Wing or Low Disturbance leading legs.
- Cleat pneumatic press wheels firm soil ahead of drill module.
- Interchangeable nine x 150mm tine coulters or 18-row Disc Drilling Module.
- Rear press wheels with adjustable ground pressure.
- Hopper capacity from 600-1,250kg.
- RDS metering control – including radar metering and variable seed rate
Designed to be operated behind tractors of 140hp-plus, the McConnel Seedaerator is said to offer an unrivalled balance between versatility and affordability.
“With its unique modular construction, the Seedaerator can be easily configured to suit a vast range of soils and changing conditions,” McConnel marketing manager Wayne Brown said. “This inbuilt versatility allows the full benefits of single-pass drilling directly into previous crop residues to be reaped in a wide variety of conditions so that regardless of the season the Seedaerator can save customers time, money and fuel.”
For more information visit: www.mcconnel.com.
