Sowing technology requirements - looking to the future

How will crop cultivation requirements and legal regulations evolve in the future, and what role can seed drill technology play?
A few decades ago, mechanical metering and Suffolk coulters were standard kit for sowing cereals. Since the introduction of disc coulter technology with pneumatic seed drills, the technology has developed significantly. With farmers, seed drill manufacturers, agronomists and contractors working together, sowing technology has been subject to ongoing development to offer professionals future-safe systems for the best working results.
Topics such as climate change, erosion control and legislation (fertiliser directives, etc.) are just as important as cost efficiency, machine utilisation and low maintenance requirements. The next stage has been about evolving the latest technology to harness the advantages of digitalisation and relieve some of the pressure on farm operators. The term Agriculture 4.0 not only refers to the use of farm management software and vehicle guidance systems, it is also increasingly important in seed drill technology.

Map for planning seed rates

Agriculture 4.0

Precision farming offers advantages when planning future strategies to increase yield, efficiency and cost effectiveness. Not only does it take into account varying soil conditions and yield during operation by adapting the sowing rate (seeds/m²), it also enables the lowest possible reliance on herbicides and fertilisers (site-specific cultivation). An important role here is played by being able to control the working width in sections as well as control individual outlets and adjust the metering speed. This leads to optimum plant distribution density in varying soil conditions and also to savings in seed material and resources. Plants with a uniform distribution density are stronger, which means less fertiliser and spraying is required.

IDS distributor system

The unique Intelligent Distribution System on PÖTTINGER's AEROSEM & TERRASEM pneumatic seed drills gives you the flexibility of section control and custom tramline settings. Tramlines are configured at the push of a button on the control terminal without having to reposition hoses. Using IDS, you can control all the outlets via the BUS system. This opens up completely new capabilities in coulter pipe and tramline switching. The following functions can be selected:

• Tramline widths

• Track widths

• Special tramline switching

• Dual tramline systems

• Half width switching

With IDS, there are no limits to the freedom you have when working. IDS is perfect for contractors and machinery rings.

IDS – Intelligent Distribution System

Uniform emergence thanks to precision metering and seed placement with DUALDISC double disc coulters

SEED COMPLETE

At the virtual headland line, each metre (section) is switched off in succession. On a machine with a working width of 3 m, there are two (row spacing 15 cm) or three (row spacing 12.5 cm) sections. The first section is switched off when the control system closes the relevant 8 rows (1 metre). Then the second section is closed, and so on. This function is made possible by the IDS distributor head, which is unique worldwide. The metering rate is adapted automatically according to the number of rows currently in operation. By reducing the overlap in wedge-shaped fields and at the headland, homogeneous development of the crop is ensured. This results in more even emergence, and you save seed material.

Section Control

SECTION CONTROL

Metering wheel configuration using the PÖTSEM app

Choosing the right metering wheel for each type of seed to ensure the correct seed rate is done either directly at the control terminal or simply and easily by using the PÖTSEM app, which is available for iOS operating systems on smartphones, tablets and desktops.
The metering wheels can be exchanged quickly and easily between normal seed and fine seed without the need for tools. Driven by an electric motor, the metering unit with matching metering wheel offers a wide speed range and optimum sowing accuracy. It is also possible to change the metering wheel while the seed hopper is full.

PCS - Precision Combi Seeding

All-in-one - for more flexibility, more machine utilisation and less soil erosion

PCS (Precision Combi Seeding) integrates precision seed drill technology into a pneumatic seed drill for cereals, offering another option to dedicated single seed drills. This is made possible by a partitioned seed and/or fertiliser tank in combination with a hydraulic separation system and a modified coulter system. This leads to greater flexibility and cost effectiveness.

A seed drill for 4 applications

• Cereals

• Maize without fertiliser

• Maize with fertiliser

• Maize with companion crop

The benefits of the PCS system are clear.

• Reduction in investment costs by combining a pneumatic seed drill with a precision seed drill.

• Multiple uses for the machine combination

• No separate precision seed drill required

• Wide range of applications - reduces fixed operating costs per hectare.

• Expansion to range of applications - high flexibility

Improving the environment and energy situation

• Minimises erosion by leaving behind a surface without marks

• A companion crop in the form of grass seed is sown simultaneously as erosion protection in a single pass

• Fewer passes - combined maize drill

• More efficient and saves more fuel

• Dressing dust goes directly into the seed slot and is covered immediately

Duplex Seed

Intelligent maize drilling in double rows: DUPLEX SEED

If your AEROSEM is equipped with PCS, you can also sow maize in double rows: with 12.5 cm spacing within the double row, double seed spacing and 75 cm between each double row. This intelligent system brings about numerous advantages:

• Maize in double rows provides each plant with perfect distribution density conditions

• Up to 30 % more space between each seed - more light - more nutrients - increased photosynthesis

• Up to 70 % larger area per plant - more water - improved root penetration - less competition between plants

• Reduces the risk of erosion

• Better shade on the ground - fast row integration

• Up to 5.5 % increase in yield.

The partition seed hopper on PCS-configured AEROSEM seed drills allows the simultaneous application of fertiliser and seed. The fertiliser can be deposited either in the row of maize row or next to the rows. The maize seeds are right next to the nutrients, which gives the plants a boost during germination compared to wide-spread fertiliser application.

Precision seed placement with DUAL-DISC coulters

The AEROSEM's various coulter systems meet the high demands of perfect seed placement. The seed drill is available with single-disc coulters or with DUAL DISC double-disc coulters. A coulter pressure of up to 25 kg can be applied to single-disc coulters, with to 50 kg on double-disc coulters. The pressure is set centrally. The coulter system can be configured with optional pressure and depth control wheels to additionally press the seeds to seed slot level in moist soil. The large diameter DUAL DISC coulters cut right through surface trash to form a uniform and tidy seed slot. The maintenance-free coulters and coulter arms ensure convenient operation with little servicing needed.