The new Cirrus 03 trailed sowing combinations
For years the Cirrus family has been a well-known addition to the AMAZONE seed drill programme. In 2014 the series 02 will be replaced by the series 03. Amongst the many new developments and functionalities of the Cirrus 03, they also feature a modern, slim tank design.
At first the new Cirrus 03 range will span three rigid models in 3 m, 3.5 m and 4 m working widths (Cirrus 3003, 3503, 4003) and a folding 6 m model (Cirrus 6003-2). The hopper capacity of the standard machine is 3,600 l. On top of these are the new Cirrus 03-C models with a pressurised tank which offer ‘single-shoot’ fertiliser distribution in the seed row. These grain and fertiliser machines feature a twin-tip hopper with a volume of 4,000 l. Depending on the need, these combination models can be filled with seed and fertiliser or also just with seed.
For small field sizes, the new Cirrus 3003 Compact is of particular interest. With its volume of 3,000 litres, it is somewhat smaller-dimensioned but, however, it still impresses with its enormous manoeuvrability thanks to the 550 mm smaller wheelbase centre distance.
Even the travel to the field has a new quality. With the Matrix tyres, newly developed for the Cirrus 03, the filled machine can be safely driven on the road at 40 km/h. This is especially important for medium-sized farms which do not have the capacity for in-field filling, this is a new output increase and will 100% conform with German road traffic regulations. Homologation to 40 km/h in other European countries is in preparation. The coupling to the tractor’s lower links keeps the known manoeuvrability of the Cirrus – new though is the telescopic drawbar for individually matching the drill to the relevant tractor tyres and track width.
The metering and distribution of the seed is achieved via state-of-the-art AMAZONE components. The noise level of the hydraulically-driven blower fan is especially low and the metering units are positioned for easy access. The proven metering heads offer half-side shut off, depending on the tramline rhythm.
Once operating in the field, it becomes obvious that the more aggressively positioned serrated discs up front provide a very good mixing effect. The driver can hydraulically adjust the working depth of the disc element from the tractor cab. As an addition to this standard execution, a Crushboard for levelling the soil in front of the disc element can be fitted and that is also hydraulically adjustable.
At the heart of the machine, and the guarantee of an even, quick field emergence, are the new Matrix tyres. With their dimensions of 400/75 R17.5, these tyres feature a diameter of 880 mm and a width of 410 mm (4 rows each with 12.5 cm or 3 rows each with 16.6 cm). The combination of the big diameter, together with the new profile, provides a very good turning effect – and thus a reduced pulling power. This is a characteristic which is, above all, very important for trailed seed drills that are equipped with passive soil tillage tools and driven at fast forward speeds.
Keeping to the principle that has been established for many years at AMAZONE, the Matrix tyres provide the reconsolidation in strips. The reconsolidated strips are only separated by narrow ridges which do not harm the smooth run of the new RoTeC pro disc coulters and these, at the same time, provide more fine soil for the seed. The heterogeneous soil structure, created by the tyres, provides the optimum growth of the plants under all conditions.
With the Matrix tyre, AMAZONE makes use for the first time radial design tyres with steel inserts in the tread. With the Matrix tyre, AMAZONE makes use for the first time of radial design tyres with steel inserts in the tread. Due to the radial design with its higher deflection effect, the profile has a true soil contact across all the rows creating perfectly even growth conditions. In addition radial tyres, thanks to their design, have the benefit that they offer very good self-cleaning, even at the standard 3.5 bar pressure. Scrapers on the tyres are not necessary; ridge clearers in between the rows provide an even operational performance.
For locations which are less sensitive to germination conditions, the Cirrus 03 can alternatively also be equipped with simple AS cross-ply tyres of a similar dimension (15.0/55-17). The self-driving effect from its short cleats is very good and thus the machine is also easy to pull. Compromises arise in the targeted reconsolidation, especially in dry years, as the AS tyres cannot create the seed/soil contact in comparison to the Matrix tyres.
Especially for Cirrus 03, the proven RoTeC+ coulters have been further developed to become the RoTeC pro coulters. In order to cope with the ever-increasing sowing speeds, the RoTeC pro coulters feature an especially strong coulter bearing point. The defined placement of the seed on the bottom of the furrow has been also further optimised. The seed is guided directly down to the target point and a change of design to the furrow former ensures an even, more uniform depth placement.
In addition, two alternatives are available for the seed embedment: The Exact harrow S operates, especially in wet conditions, for a long period trouble-free. Under dry conditions, however, the Roller harrow is the ideal solution to try and improve the soil contact of the seed. Also, for the new Cirrus 03 models, the pressure on the harrow rollers can be set independently from the coulter pressure.
Even the accessory list for the Cirrus 03 is impressive. This, above all, includes the new AMATRON 3 terminal with GPS-Switch for switching off the drill in 3 metre sections. Where there is already an existing AMATRON with a GPS-Switch licence for field sprayers and fertiliser spreaders available, these can also be used for the Cirrus 03. On request, the rigid Cirrus 03 models can be equipped with the lower priced and operator-friendly AMADRILL+ terminal.
An additional useful aid is the new seed pipe monitoring. Directly behind the distributor head, sensors inside the seed pipes monitor the seed flow. Especially important on long operating days, the monitoring is an elegant solution to check the operational results – and without leaving the tractor cab.
Source:
AMAZONEN-Werke H. Dreyer GmbH & Co. KG