SEED DRILL Horsch has simplified the drawbar and integrated hydraulic lines into the frame on its Sprinter NT tine seed drill in response to the feedback of Australian customers
Simpler tines Horsch has upgraded its Sprinter NT tine seed drill, adding features that the company says have been based on customer feedback in the Australian market. The German manufacturer’s popular piece of direct seeding equipment has received a new drawbar system, an extra set of tyres on each wing and upgrades to its air package and hydraulic lines. Jan Moens, service and training manager of Queenslandbased Horsch distributor Muddy River Agricultural, says the upgraded model has been “well received” since its introduction into the Australian market. “The Sprinter NT is something that Horsch really makes specifically for our market,” he says.
“The last couple of years have really snowballed and [with] the more Sprinters you have out in the field, you come across things you discuss with the supplier and say ‘okay, maybe we can change this and that’. “We still have a five wing machine but instead of one set of wing wheels per side we have now changed to two, so we have an extra set of flotation tyres on the wings. “In combination with that, we’ve gone to a more simplified drawbar system, an A-frame with pivoting wheels on the front. “Some small modifications have been made, like a lot of the hydraulic lines have been integrated in the frame to make it look smarter and the air package has been upgraded a bit by using higher distribution towers. “Transport width has also been reduced dramatically to less than 6m.” The Sprinter NT, which has been in the Australian market for about eight years, is designed for high hectare output and has multiple size configurations. It is available in 12m and 18m working widths while the tines, which are arranged in three rows, can be spaced 10” (25cm), 12” (30cm) or 15” (38cm) apart. There are no pins or bushes in the tine assembly, meaning the seed is placed in the furrow and firmed in the soil by press wheel. The Sprinter NT can also be paired with any of the 12,000L, 17,000L or 21,000L carts.
Lemken has released the Solitair 23+ front hopper
SEEDING New seeding equipment from Lemken will do more for smaller tractors and more precise seed placement
Hop to it GENERATOR Kubota expands diesel generator range
Next generation Kubota’s two new generator models – the GL Series compact diesel generator and SQ Series (super quiet) diesel generator – have been designed with new features and can be easily transported and maintained. Kubota says the GL series is efficient and provides safe backup power as the 2021 summer storm season approaches. “As we approach the season, it’s important to stock up on generators,” says Kubota spokesperson James Tibos. “Sadly, we’ve seen the full impact storms can have on power supplies and Kubota’s GL series ensures back-up electricity at the push of a button.” While boasting a generous fuel tank that allows for extended operation time between refuelling, the GL Series offers improved fuel economy and reductions in both emissions and noise levels, says Kubota.
Kubota’s upgraded generators, including the SQ series models, are available in its 2021 spring catalogue
With factory-fitted circuit breakers and residual current device, the GL Series benefits from a redesign, making singleside maintenance and servicing a possibility. Designed with durability in mind, the SQ series generators offer operators a 24-hour operation time and the ability to withstand Australia’s harsh conditions. The new models have waterproof recessed button receptacles, as well as a new emergency stop button and residual current devices for each outlet, a battery isolator, a larger fuel tank and a limit switch that shuts down the engine when the door opens. “The SQ Series is Kubota’s largest diesel generator and gives you incredible power that you can rely on, day in, day out,” says Tibos. “They are the perfect partner for any application where prime power is required and are ideal to help weather any storm.” Both the GL and the SQ seriese also feature Kubota’s Deep-Sea 4520 Start Controller, which provides operator information in a back-lit, easy-to-read manner. The generators are listed in Kubota’s 2021 spring catalogue.
Lemken says its new Solitair 23+ front hopper and OptiDisc 25 coulter bar will offer greater versatility and increased precision to buyers. The front hopper and coulter bar are now inclusive of ISOBUS technology, making adjustments easier and seeding more efficient through the MegaDrill control on the tractor terminal, allowing seeding without overlap of up to four width sections. Lemken’s Solitair 23+ front hopper, when combined with the Zirkon 12 and OptiDisc 25 coulter bar, delivers a better distribution of weight compared to rear-mounted systems and, along with its compact, agile drilling combination, allows smaller tractors to be used for efficient drilling operations. Both seeds and fertiliser are suitable for the Solitair 23+. The OptiDisc 25 coulter bar will also be available in five and six metre foldable versions, and three and four metre rigid versions, in addition to the four and 4.5m folding versions already available on the market. The new folding variants feature an additional transport system for road use capable of taking loads of up to 3.5 tonnes off he rear axle and can lock and unlock in just a few steps. At the heart of the OptiDisc 25 coulter bar is a proven parallelogram-controlled double disc coulter, which, along with depth control rollers, ensures seeds are placed precisely at the pre-set depth with both mulch and conventional tillage. The Solitair 23+ front hopper is available now, while the four and 4.5m OptiDisc 25 coulter bars are currently available and the five and six metre models will be available from January 2022.
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