8 November 2013, 00:00
Lemken is eager to find new approaches when it comes to making agricultural technology more efficient. Here, precision seeding technology gives the Lemken engineers an opportunity to completely rethink a topic that was not previously in the product range. The result of this deliberation is the Azurit precision seeder, which will be presented for the first time at the Agritechnica as a prototype.
In terms of placement quality, Lemken seed drill technology sets standards with its double disc coulter and depth control wheels and uses this same philosophy as a model for precision seeding. Lemken also understands the ideal spatial distribution of crops. Current technology, which places seed in a row with 75 cm row spacing, is not optimal for the plant. Accordingly, the goal was to create a seeding unit with better longitudinal distribution. Conventional fertiliser placement in a row beside the seed row was also to be improved.
With Delta Row on the Azurit, the Lemken engineers found the key to an optimised spatial distribution of the plants. The seeds are not placed in a single row, but rather staggered with two double disc coulters per seeding unit in an open row at intervals of 12.5 cm. The distance between the seeding units remains at 75 cm, so that there are no changes for the operation of the harvesters. Variable spacing of up to 37.5 cm can also be selected.
Seeding in the open row is achieved using a new electrically driven singling unit with two synchronised perforated discs. They distribute the seeds alternately onto both coulters. The staggered seed placement increases the distance between two plants providing up to 70 % more surface area available for water and nutrient supply.
The seed is conveyed "on demand" from a central seed hopper to the singling unit. It can be rapidly filled, and with its position over the three-point linkage, it creates a good position for centre of gravity on the Azurit.
The double disc coulters of the preceding fertiliser unit place the fertiliser 5 cm deeper, exactly in the middle of the open seed row (Delta Row). A trapeze packer roller closes the fertiliser groove and shapes the seeding furrow. Azurit does not have its own fertiliser tank. Instead, it is connected behind a Compact Solitair, or other fertiliser tank, to provide a measured quantity of fertiliser to the Azurit fertiliser coulters.
The depth control wheel is installed at a central position between the double disc coulters and ensures precise placement depth. Two press wheels arranged in V-shape per seeding unit then close the seed row. The angle and pressure can be adjusted for different conditions.
The Azurit is intended for seeding maize, soya bean, sunflower and rapeseed with travel speeds up to 15 km/h. It is still in the test phase, and the current field trials under conventional and conservation conditions, as well as the feedback from customers on the presented prototype, are being integrated into the further development.
Source: FH Münster