RED DEER – Ezee-On has introduced its own version of an independent shank seeding tool.
The new parallel link design has active packing pressure of 70 to 200 pounds per sq. inch.
It delivers this locally through twin springs and regionally through hydraulic pressure set in the cab by raising and lowering the drill frame.
“It has been in development for a few years, but now we have a drill that will be ready for release in the spring of 2011,” said Gary Bergen, who engineered the product for the Vegreville, Alta., company.
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“It’s our first non-C shank seeding unit. The company wanted the ease of maintenance and simple designs they are known for, but in a precision drill.”
The basic setting for each shank is set at the factory, which means resetting isn’t necessary at the frame and individual hydraulic rams aren’t required.
“The seeding depth is set in quarter inch increments with a pin you pull out and set in a notch,” Bergen said.
“It makes it easy to reset to a new depth. Lots of producers don’t change their settings between crops or for different soil conditions because it’s a pain. We made it simpler and we expect farmers will find it that way, too. If they want to change, they can do it quickly.… A cam on the frame sets the relationship to the (shanks).”
The company continues to develop the load sensor application that will manage hydraulic down pressure on the frame, Ezee-on sales staff said Nov. 11 at the Agri-trade farm show in Red Deer.
Bergen said the new drill’s packing pressure management strategy is still being finalized.
“There are several good solutions and (products) available to us,” he said.
The distance from frame to packer is one of the shortest in the market, reducing the sweeping effect of the shank during turns when the unit is in the ground and ensuring the packer is on track with the seed boot.
A durable, nylon-graphite bushing holds the shanks and eliminates greasing the main draw point on the frame.
On-row packing is performed by pneumatic or semi-pneumatic tires.
The tine-type shank has a two bolt mount and was based on Atom Jet units, but the company says most of the Dutch Industries openers are a good fit for the Alberta machines. The shanks have a 500 lb. spring trip for safety.
Dual castors on the five section frame keep the machine level and running flat.
The 70 foot wide, five-flex drill unit folds to 20 feet wide in transport and is 17 feet tall, making it short enough for many shed door openings.
Ezee-On staff said the initial machines will be 70 feet wide in the field, but narrower versions are expected in the future.
The drill will be available in 10 or 12 inch spacings and is set up over three ranks.
