Duncan AS5300 seed drill: Machine spotlight

Recent rain has injected confidence into the seed drill market with farmers previously sitting on the fence now turning their thoughts to pasture renovation this autumn.

Those looking for a reliable, uncomplicated, easy to calibrate, robust all-round machine need to check out the 5.3m Duncan AS5300.

The New Zealand manufactured Duncan AS5300 was designed primarily for under sowing crops or pasture renovation, and has proven popular with Australian growers for its simplicity, durability and accuracy.

The AS5300 is built tough, boasts low running costs and enough working width to cover the ground quickly. Its high and low seeding ratios and small and large seed cogs cater for all seed and fertiliser varieties.

It is fitted with an Accord type seed meter with a variation of sowing rates at the touch of a button.

Southern NSW growers had the opportunity to see the Duncan AS5300 in action during field days hosted by Giltrap Ag and Hutcheon & Pearce at Albury.

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The 42 run demo model had a 5.3m working width that folds up to 3.1m for transport. It was set on a six inch (15cm) row spacing and was pulled by a 140hp John Deere 6140M tractor.

It sowed ryegrass seed at 25kg/ha into moist soil at a depth of 5cm travelling at 10km/h.

The seeder also comes in a 6.1m model requiring a 180hp tractor.

Row spacings can be set on five, six or seven inches (12-17cm), depending on the application.

Duncan Ag was acquired by Giltrap Engineering in May, resulting in a broader product range for Australian growers.

Giltrap Ag Victoria East, Southern NSW and WA area manager, Neil Busacca, said the AS5300 is gaining momentum with growers wanting larger machines with working widths over 3.5m.

Busacca said the AS5300 can sow fertiliser, coarse grains and fine seeds out of both hoppers.

The machine features electric metering via ground following radar coupled with a RDS electric drive system.

Busacca said the ease of calibration is a big plus on the ISOBUS compatible AS5300.

“The full inboard computer system is easy to calibrate from inside the tractor and automatically works out the correct seeding rate,” he said.

“It is ideal for clover, ryegrass, lucerne and some cereals – it’s a general purpose machine,” he said.

“There is a fine seed wheel on the metering unit allowing for fine seed and low rates as well.

“You simply weigh the seed or fertiliser on the tray provided, enter the data on the monitor and it automatically adjusts itself.

“The ground drive machines with the mechanical systems are simple as well  - they are calibrated by hand but it works and it’s easy.”

The seeder comes standard with two heavy duty, powder coated 1000-litre seed and fertiliser bins mounted over the frame aiding penetration in hard soil and allowing for tighter turning.

A grating is positioned inside the hoppers to stop fertiliser and seed clumps from blocking the pipes.

The distributor towers are located inside the hoppers for a compact look.

Large non-slip bin loading areas with safety rails and a folding ladder are located at the front and rear.

“There is an option of a bin extension to 1250 litres – they are easy to get to if you are using an auger or one tonne bags,” Busacca said.

“The bins are easy to clean through the bottom or top – any debris of a certain size will be stopped by the grates.

“When seed levels get low in the bin, an alarm will alert the operator in the cab.”

The bin level sensors monitor material levels in both hoppers while other sensors are located on the fan to monitor speed and oil flow, as well as the metering shaft and transport wheels.

The demo machine had fluted opening disc coulters with a trailing Duncan T boot, followed by covering adjustable tine harrows.

It featured a 25mm coil tyne giving ground penetration combined with contour following and trash clearance.

“We have found this set up works well with the tungsten tip at the front of the boot, especially with the leading coulters, it makes the points longer-lasting,” Busacca said.

“The fluted coulters work better in sticky soil or heavier trash conditions.

“This tine set-up is the same from the entry level Eco Seeder to the 6m folding machine. We find they are strong, durable and result in a good strike rate in all conditions.

“The tine harrows are easily adjusted to suit the conditions and are good for leaving the seed bed nice and level.

“The harrows go into transport mode once sowing is finished.”

A large gauge at the front of the machine monitors hydraulic downward wing pressure, keeping the machine level and sowing depth even in undulating terrain.

The seeder boasts easy manual depth adjustment on the rams using shims.

The AS5300 has an automatic activated wing locking system for safe towing, and it folds up to a transport width of 3.1m.

A long, strong draw bar makes it easy when turning the 5.5-tonne seeder during transport.

“The heat exchange kit is an option and is ideal in conditions where there is a lot of moisture  - it uses heat from the hydraulics to dry the air flow passing over the seed and fertiliser,” Busacca said.

An optional self-loading auger or crane can lift either half or one tonne bags and turns sowing into a one-man operation.

Factory options include a third box for metering fine seeds into the air system, a rear tow bar, a double-wheel contour following rubber tyre roller for compacting and closing the slots, bin mounted cameras and a hydraulic ram on the draw bar.

Busacca said customers benefit from strong support including technical advice and spare parts provided by the warehouse and dealer network.

Albury regional contractor, Andrew Sargeant, uses a 3.5m Duncan AS3500 and was keen to see the updated model demonstrated.

Sargeant said the Duncan machines were robust, reliable, accurate and simple, making them ideal for pasture work in his region.

“The 3500 is a similar principal to the 5300 with the same 6-inch spacings, coulters, 1400-litre air box, a small seeds box and a third air box as well,” he said.

“The Duncan machines are simple and accurate – the calibration is second to none in terms of once you have set and calibrated it, it is true all day long.

“Take your time to calibrate and once it’s set, there are no problems at all."

When it comes to durability, Sargeant said he’s never had any issues with the unit and there are minimal greasing points that he had to worry about.

“I’m sowing 1500-2000 acres (607-809ha) a year of rye grass, lucerne, vetch, oats and will wear a set of points out – coulters I use only when I need to.

“Germination is terrific – I use the Duncan harrows and a roller on behind as I find it levels the ground out for soil to seed contact if it is dry and cloddy.”

He added he has no bridging problem with the air seeding system where the seed might move from side to side in the seed boxes.

“These all run to a central hopper so you can sow right out to the last couple of kilograms of seed.

“Then open the central trap door, blow it out with an air hose, close the trap door and start your next seed box.

“In terms of cleaning, it only takes 30 seconds to have it ready to go for the next lot of seed.”

Sargeant has a third small seeds box with air scatter plates on a separate variable seed controller.

“It operates on the ground radar and varies between speeds so the faster you go, the faster it seeds,” he said.

“The fish scatter plates broadcast the seed out the back of the machine into the Duncan harrows and the seed is then rolled in.

“Fertiliser is set at 100 per cent air and the secondary seed box can be adjusted accordingly from 100 per cent down to 5 per cent air, so you are not pushing seed through the air lines and getting seed bounce.”

Sargeant uses a 115hp tractor to pull his 3.5m Duncan seeder.

“Make sure you have a lot of oil flow with the tractor – I’m running the minimum of 110l/min otherwise you will not run the air and hydraulics,” he said.

“Don’t dump the machine in the ground, work it in slowly."

Sargeant said the dirt and trash builds up around the tynes and flows nicely, and he has never had a blockage over 3000 acres (1214ha).

“There are no AS5300 models in this area so I was quite keen to see it demonstrated,” he said.

“I am looking to go bigger but it will depend on the season – the hay season has been down 50 per cent on normal years but stock prices are still OK.

“We have sown millet and if we keep getting these summer rains we will be in front.

“Last year I put a lot of fertiliser in and obviously with the dry season it didn’t work, so this year I’ve cut back on fertiliser.

“If we get summer rain and it grows then I will top dress.”

The Duncan AS5300 is priced from $156,590 plus GST. For further details, contact Neil Busacca on 0429 112 211.

Width (over wheels): 3100mm

Working height: 2780mm

Transport height: 3110mm

Machine length: 6460mm

Unladen weight:5300kg

Row spacing:125mm

Sowing width: 5250mm

Box capacity per bin: 1000 litres

Main tyre size: 19/45-17 18 ply

Wing tyre size: 11.5/80-15.3 14 ply

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