IT'S generally the one and two per centers that add up. At least that's the case for Bonnie Rock farmers Trevor and Scott Watson.
The pair purchased a Bourgault 18.2 metre (60ft) 3320 QDA seeding bar and Bourgault 6450 air seeder from Ag Implements, Mukinbudin, this year earmarked for a 7500 hectare cropping program.
The obvious reason was to stay out in the paddock longer and pick up a few bonuses such as improved trash handling and faster depth adjustment.
The latter is a hallmark of the 3320 QDA (quick depth adjustment).
Bourgault says the QDA is the only drill on the market that offers independent depth control and quick seed depth adjustment - allowing users to adjust the seed depth in a matter of minutes.
The QDA uses the proven technology of the 2:1 PHD seed opener assembly - where a change in frame height produces a change of half as much in seed depth.
To capitalise on this, the 3320 QDA is equipped with a hydraulic cylinder and shim assembly on each front castor wheel and rear carrier wheel.
To set the seed depth at the frame, these cylinders are extended to lift the frame, shims then slide in or out of position.
Once the shims are set, the cylinders are retracted back into operational position.
The 3320 QDA provides 10 shims with each shim equalling 3 millimetre (1/8in) of seed depth adjustment for 32mm (1/((xBC))¼in) of total quick depth change range.
Seeding depth can still be set on the PHD seed opener assembly to optimise the quick depth range and for adjustment of individual openers operating in wheel tracks.
This technology provides a consistent seed depth even when seeding at an angle to the previous year's furrows.
"It's about a two minute walk-around to change the shims on the rams," Scott said.
The Bourgault Paralink design maintains the opener's attack angle, regardless of its position.
This feature allows you to select the seed opener that works best for your conditions and farming techniques.
In this case the Watsons opted for Maxi Point blades and boots for deep banding with the design avoiding fertiliser blockages which was a problem with their old bar.
The narrower blades also minimising seedbed disruption.
"We were very happy with the way we set up the bar because we got very even germination and the bar easily handled 2 tonnes per hectare barley residues," Trevor said.
"There were patches of 4t/ha wheat crops which we breezed through."
The bar was set on 30 centimetre (12in) spacings and at 10 kilometres per hour operating speed good soil throw was achieved to incorporate trifluralin.
"We didn't get any Treflan damage," Scott said.
The 3320 has full in-cab control of packing and tine force, with one click of the pressure control toggle to adjust system pressure by 345 kPa (50 psi).
Ken Wilson
Farm Weekly's machinery writer.
Farm Weekly's machinery writer.
