VIDEO: Baldan SD-CXP 5000 single disc seeder arrives in Oz

Baldan’s new single disc combine has burst on to the local agricultural scene to offer good seed placement and consistent seed depth across different soil types, wile preserving soil moisture.

Boasting new openers and a poly seed box in the 2017 model, the Brazilian-made Baldan SD-CXP 5000 is a versatile machine ideal for pasture renovation and cereal crops.

It provides options of sowing depths when chasing soil moisture coupled with minimal soil disturbance.

The Baldan SD-CXP 5000 is imported by Serafin Machinery in Griffith (NSW), and is proving popular with rice, canola, oats, barley, wheat and bean growers.

Serafin sales manager, Rodney Dunn, says the row spacings are narrow enough for pasture renovation yet wide enough for cereal crops.

“It fits the bill for most farmers looking for a single disc combine,” Dunn says.

“The original SD we imported was popular through central NSW – primarily producers with cattle liked the single disc option for the combine to penetrate compacted soils.

“We are starting to see more customers around Griffith sowing rice, along with inquiry from the WA dairy industry and cattle farmers from Queensland.

“It has the ability to sow from 12mm to 100mm deep.”

Serafin has been the sole importer of Baldan machines since 2006 with simplicity driving customer satisfaction.

Customer feedback has been used to make modifications to the row units since 2010.

Dunn says a Series II is already in the pipeline for an autumn 2018 release featuring increased seed box capacity.

“The fertiliser system is new, the frame design has been improved and the front castor wheel has been beefed up to handle the extra weight,” Dunn says.

“Poly boxes are becoming more popular for combines worldwide for corrosion resistance.”

Serafin is importing the 4.5m wide unit, but has plans to import a 3m machine.

“The 3m width is easy to transport and is a popular size for dairy farmers to sow bays right up to fence lines,” Dunn says.

Bigger and thicker discs

The SD is fitted with 6mm thick 20-inch discs, on a 190mm spacing, with rubber press wheels.

“The first model SD was originally fitted with 18-inch by 5mm discs – we had customers requesting a longer life out of their discs so we moved to a bigger rolling diameter and thicker disc,” Dunn explains.

“This results in a 30 to 40 per cent increase in disc life for an extra cost of $A10 per disc.

“The beauty of the single disc seeder is the seed can be sown early at the right depth in dry conditions with minimal soil disturbance."

The poly seed and fert box is a new addition and the SD-CXP also comes with a steel small seed box.

Sturdy design for precision seeding

A depth control wheel is fitted next to the cutting disc, while the press wheel work in the furrow to give perfect seed to soil contact.

The cover wheel is individually regulated by an independent spring to close the soil over the top of the seed without compressing the soil.

“The rolling bar concept and single spring on each unit effectively means each unit is treated on its own merit,” Dunn says.

“Each unit will have its own depth adjustment resulting in a good, even seed placement in even the most challenging conditions.

“The rolling bar is hydraulically controlled by a ram that is fed from an adjustable valve at the front of the machine, so the amount of down pressure can be increased or reduced on each opener, depending on the soil conditions and sowing depth.”

The Baldan comes fitted with a “Speed Box” gearbox featuring 62 combinations of speed to regulate fertiliser distribution.

“Instead of changing gearing on the side of the machine, it is done through the Speed Box – it’s robust and is an easy way to change fertiliser rates,’’ Dunn says.

“A digital hectare metre is tripped once seed or fertiliser is applied. When the machine stops driving, it stops calculating.”

Maintenance made easier

There are no grease nipples on the fertiliser systems so on a 24 row machine, the operator is saving 24 grease nipples.

“With the actual opener, maintenance involves a 120-hour service of two grease nipples while the depth adjustment handle is greased once a year,” Dunn says.

“The main seed metering system requires a daily grease.”

The ease of changing discs has also been improved, with a bolt-on depth wheel and the disc removed from over the lever axle arm, minimising down time.

The Baldan is shod with Pirelli 11.5 x 15 tyres front and rear.

Tractor requirements are up to 150hp with average ground speeds of 10 to 12km/h.

Serafin sells around 500 to 1000 row units a year and has a large range of spare parts available.

The 2017 Baldan SD-CXP 5000 was debuted to the public at the AgQuip and Henty Machinery Field Days.

Dunn says clients have cited increased germination rates, crop emergence and vigour with the new Baldan unit.

Satisfied customer

Yenda seed grower, Kevin Cauduro, invested in a Baldan to sow rice and cereal crops, and has used it across 116ha this season.

He switched from a triple disc to a single disc to chase moisture conservation and even germination.

“I like where the wheels are set – it can sow right to the edge without having to try and ride the bank,” Cauduro says.

“The advantage is, it is very minimal disturbance of the soil so we can preserve as much moisture as we can.

“It has good, even dispersement of seed throughout, it covers over nicely and presses down, and we get the available moisture for germination, so in a marginal year it will be an advantage.”

Cauduro adds he is happy with the Baldan’s fertiliser placement.

He sowed oats at 75 to 80kg/ha with DAP at 125kg/ha at ground speeds of around 8km/h and a depth of 40mm with a 195hp tractor.

“It is allowing us to sow in a timely fashion and chase the moisture,” Cauduro says.

“We give the paddock a quick mulch, get rid of the straw, sow the crop straight after the rice and use that profile of moisture.

“I’m not looking at reduced fuel costs – it’s more the conservation of moisture.

“The seed is pressed into the moisture and the other cover wheel has pushed the soil back over the seed for a good germination and little disturbance of the ground.

“We get good penetration into hard soil compacted by sheep – the single disc enables us to push a lot of weight to achieve penetration at consistent depth.

“That results in an even germination rate.”

Cauduro says hopper clean out was easy and there was no cross-contamination of seed.

“We are aiming at 5t/ha yields, so we are trying to push it with higher sowing rates up around 80 to 90kg/ha,’’ he says.

Options on the Baldan include different press wheels, depth gauge wheels and closing wheels.

The Baldan SD-CXP 5000 single disc combine is priced at $A82,000 + GST.

Baldan SD-CXP 5000 specifications

Rows: 24

Working width: 4m (with 3m coming early in 2018)

Transport height: 1.8m

Disc spacing: 190mm

HP requirement: 120hp

Disc size: 20” x 6mm

Disc type: SB2013

Axle width: 2.3m

Tyres: Ag tyres front and rear

Steering type: Front castor