Precea precision seeder breaks cover

AMAZONE’s new Precea air seeder series will be available in Australia and New Zealand for the spring sowing season and is ideal for planting maize, according to local distributor, CLAAS Harvest Centre.

The series comprises the rigid-framed 3000 model with 75cm row spacing and the telescopic 4500-2 model that allows row spacing from 45cm to 80cm.

A third option, the Precea 3000-A configuration, enables the seeding unit to be mounted to AMAZONE’s popular KX or KG rotary cultivators, enabling one-pass seedbed preparation and sowing.

The Precea features a new pressurised seed metering unit in which the seed flows out of the seed hopper and is pressed against the holes of the singling disc.

Excess seeds are stripped off by three adjustable fingers to eliminate ‘doubles’. An optical seed monitor indicates ‘misses’ or ‘doubles’ on the terminal in the tractor, allowing the operator to adjust the singling process.

An optional SmartControl system adjusts the singling process automatically.

CLAAS Harvest Centre Product Manager for AMAZONE, Craig Hopkins, said the mechanical Speed Shaft drive system, fitted as standard on all models, allows operating speeds of up to 12km/h without any compromise in accuracy.

“AMAZONE’s innovative Flex-shaft drive outperforms comparable systems by up to 25 per cent,” he said.

“All the components are lubricated for life so the drive is also very maintenance-friendly.

“By comparison, chain drives tend to oscillate at high speeds and can have a negative effect on longitudinal distribution.”

AMAZONE said the optional ElectricDrive option, which can be controlled via any ISOBUS terminal such as AMAZONE’s AmaTron 4 or AmaPad 2 units, enables operating speeds of up to 20 km/h without compromising on accuracy.

“The seeding rate can be easily adjusted on the terminal to increase the seeding rate in marginal rows or specific areas in the field using application maps,” Hopkins said.

“Individual rows can also be shut off to create tramlines or along wedge-shaped fields or tapering headlands.”

All models feature the PreTeC mulch seeding coulter unit.

Soil opening is performed by a double disc unit, including a furrow former. Once the seed has been embedded in the soil by the catcher roller, the V-pressure rollers follow to close up the furrow.

Placement depth and the opening angle of the V-pressure rollers can be easily adjusted. The pressure of each coulter can be adjusted to a maximum 220kg using the standard mechanical system or to a maximum of 400kg using the optional hydraulic system.

A range of soil-engaging options, including clod and star clearers to remove clods, stones, straw or crop residue from the seeding area, are available.

Hopkins added the 55-litre airtight seed hoppers can be quickly emptied without the need for tools.

“They can also be equipped with a fill level sensor, so that the driver is warned early of low seed reserves,” he said.

Depending on the model, the Precea can also be fitted with a 950 or 1250-litre fertiliser bin and optional filling auger.

“Once again, fertiliser application rates can easily be changed via the terminal or automatically using application maps,” Hopkins said.

“Calibration is carried out on the operator terminal or using the TwinTerminal on the machine.

“Alternatively, fertiliser metering can be mechanically driven and adjusted manually.”

Fertiliser is individually metered for each row and is actively conveyed by an air stream to the double disc fertiliser coulters, ensuring continuous fertiliser feed and avoiding blockages.

The fertiliser coulters are also individually adjustable for depth.

All Precea models can be equipped with AMAZONE’s new micro-granular applicator, which enables the accurate metering of micro-nutrients, insecticides or slug pellets.

The unit, which has a 17-litre hopper mounted behind the seed hopper, has three different metering rollers and can distribute inputs directly or above in the seed row.