New single-disc air drill from Sunflower provides superior seed placement, even at high speeds in varying soil conditions

AGCO, Your Agriculture Company (NYSE:AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, introduces the all-new Sunflower® 9800 Series Single-Disc Air Drill. Simply the most universal seeding tool available, the SF9800 Series Single-Disc Air Drill is designed to seed into the entire range of soil conditions from no-till with heavy residue to soft fluffy conventional till without requiring adjustments to the openers.

"Producers asked us to help them become even more efficient by offering a machine that works equally as well in no-till, minimum-till or convention-till conditions," explains Tom Draper, Sunflower seeding and tillage product manager. "True to Sunflower's heritage, we were up to the challenge. The all-new 9800 Series Single-Disc Air Drill is built to ensure producers are able to cover more acres per day quickly and efficiently. And, although these machines deliver some of the most innovative features in the industry, they're some of the simplest to understand and easiest to operate."

Designed with fewer moving parts to minimize maintenance down time, and engineered for easy operation with simplified seed-depth control, these innovative air seeders are available in 30-, 40-, and 50-foot widths, to fit well into any size farming operation. The Sunflower 9900 Series Air Carts, offering up to 525 bushel capacity for fewer fills, were designed specifically to work with the 9800 Series.

The single disc opener of the Sunflower 9800 Series air drill employs a very simple design with fewer moving parts which reduces the number of wear points and the amount of servicing required as compared to competitive products. The unique closing wheels effectively manage the soil behind the single disc opener to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.

"The single-disc opener is one of the most important aspects of this extraordinary seeding tool. It helps establish a consistent, unobstructed seedbed regardless of the soil and residue conditions," adds Draper.

The unique configuration of the single disc openers is one of the most important aspects of this new air drill. Unlike similar competitive models, the gauge wheels have been moved further away from the disc blades, allowing the dirt coming off the discs to lift and flow back against the trailing packer to be re-leveled over the seed furrow. This new design helps optimize soil-to-seed contact by firming the soil and preventing crop residue from being tucked into the seed furrows. Furthermore, moving the soil in this way eliminates open seed furrows and leaves a six-inch blackened strip to encourage soil warming.

The position of the gauge wheels on the SF 9800 Series also has shown to eliminate sidewall compaction, or "smearing," of the soil. This condition seals the furrows sidewalls and prevents side-to-side root development, ultimately affecting a plant's ability to reach full yield potential.

Seeding depth of the row units is determined by the height of the drill frame and can be adjusted between 0- and 3-inches on the 9800 Series. Depth-control collars located in each cylinder help hold the frame at exactly the desired height, while the packer tires hold the discs at the precise seeding depth. Changing the seeding depth requires only a few adjustments to the lift cylinders, and the down-pressure adjustment of the press wheels can be made on-the-go from within the tractor cab, eliminating the need for downtime to make adjustments. A digital display in the down pressure control box allows the operator to monitor down force on toolbars.

Maintenance is simple with just two 25-hour grease zerks on each transport tandem. A proven bearing system in the disc and packer-hubs requires greasing once a season providing years of trouble-free service. Finally the machine is designed to accommodate optional mid-row banding of dry or anhydrous ammonia fertilizer.

For more information on the Sunflower 9800 Series Single-Disc Air Drill, see your local Sunflower equipment dealer or visit http://www.sunflowermfg.com.

08.10.2011