Amazone has launched a number of speciality machines in time for seeding.
According to the company, the new GreenDrill 501 universal seeder is ideal for the one-pass sowing of 'catch crops', fine seeds and undersown crops, when used in combination with a trailed cultivator.
Mounted on a trailed cultivator, such as the Catros compact disc harrow, the GreenDrill 501 utilises a hydraulic blower fan to transport the seed from the metering unit to the sowing coulters.
However, if mounted on a cultivator-drill combination there is no need for the blower fan.
Amazone said a range of metering rollers are available to suit different seed sizes.
Seed-drill combo
Claas Harvest Centre head of product Paul Birbeck said Amazone had also released its next generation of seed-drill combinations.
Mr Birbeck said the Avant 02 6002-2 system combines Amazone's new FTender front-mounted hopper, a six metre folding rotary cultivator and 40 parallelogram-suspended TwinTeC double disc coulters.
"The KG unit produces a perfect seedbed," he said.
"With 20 rotors, it intensively crumbles the soil and thoroughly incorporates organic matter.
"The 'on-grip' tines pull themselves down into the soil, so that the cultivator maintains an even working depth even in difficult conditions."
Mr Birbeck said seed is transferred from the FTender front-mounted hopper, which is available in 2200 or 1600 litre capacities, to the segmented distribution head through dual pipes.
The seed is then transferred to TwinTeC coulters, set on a a 15 cm row spacing.
Mr Birbeck said working depth can be adjusted from 0 to 6 cm using the universal operating tool, while the coulter pressure can be adjusted hydraulic from within the cab.
"The harrows can be set aggressively for heavy soils or in trailing mode for areas where there are straw residues," he said.
"Each harrow has five height positions, enabling it to be reset as it wears."
Back to basics
Mr Birbeck said for operators looking to get back to basics, a simplified model of its Cataya 3000 Special seed drill had also been released.
Fitting the Amazone range of rotary harrows and cultivators, Mr Birbeck said the model bucks technology in favour of time-proven simplicity.
"Amazone is well-known for delivering high performance and innovative solutions for mundane jobs, such as cultivation and seeding," he said.
"While most Cataya units are fitted with state-of-the-art single or double-side electrically-driven seeding units, some farmers just want a simple and reliable driving mechanism.
"The Cataya 3000 Special meets this need perfectly."
Mr Birbeck said the 3m drill is fitted with a large diameter wheel that provides even, uninterrupted metering.
"A sticker provides the recommended sprocket transmission ratio and gearbox settings for specific seed rates," he said.
"The shutter slides can be rapidly changed from normal seed to fine seed and vice versa.
"The integrated outlet funnels in the seed hopper reduce bridging and residues."
