Feed pad with rubber matting hailed as game changer
For Otago farmers Michelle and Rogan Borrie, a newly constructed feed pad on one of their three farms has been a game changer.
A key benefit of the layout is said to be convenient operation, making settings such as working depth, coulter pressure and seed rate calibration easy to perform, as there are no access issues, which can be a problem with conventionally mounted seed hoppers.
The front hopper, available in 1700 or 2300 litre capacities, is fitted with an airtight cover. It features a service platform to provide better visibility into the hopper during filling.
The hopper can be configured with a standard single metering unit, or the newly developed dual metering unit. This new, Single Shoot metering system, lets you apply not only seed but also fertiliser into the seed slot in one pass, so offers maximum flexibility during the planting season.
The coulter rail on the Aerosem FDD is mounted on the power harrow using a quick-fit locking system. It can be configured with an optional hydraulic lifting system for the coulter rail to increase ground clearance. The unit uses a short headstock to place the centre of gravity closer to the tractor, while the distributor head – mounted on the coulter rail – features a patented system to ensure it is always kept in a vertical position.
Seed distribution is controlled using the distributor head, which can be provided with individually controllable outlets (IDS) as an option. While using the fully-equipped version, the driver can easily adjust the tramline widths and tyre widths directly at the control terminal to set up a perfect tramline system.
At the same time, Pöttinger has also introduced its new LION 403 C and LION 503 C folding power harrows, with working widths of 4 or 5 metres and suitable for tractors up to 320hp.
The folding frame concept, with the headstock and entire folding frame mounted on the machine, results in a short and compact power harrow that is up to 30cm shorter than many others. This brings the centre of gravity is closer to the rear axle and better weight transfer to the front axle.
Both models fold to a transport width of 2.55 metres. An integrated levelling board, adjust automatically with depth control, retaining its set distance above the soil and distance from the rotor tines. A choice of rollers includes toothed, prism packer and rubber options, with a choice of diameters on the toothed and prism packer.
