When the optimal window of time for seeding and sowing crops is short, and there’s plenty of ground to cover, Australian growers rely on high-performance seeding equipment to expedite their field planting processes and improve the quality of their yields.
When choosing the right equipment for the job, Motion’s Russell Randal says it’s important for farmers to take into consideration the scale of an operation, the type of crop, the topography of the land, and what their budget is.
“Depending on these factors, there are various types of planting machines that have different intended uses and advantages,” said Randal.
“If the land requiring tilling in preparation for planting, traditionally tillage equipment such as a disc or a chisel plough can be used to turn the soil. However, with advantages in modern planting technology, no-till equipment has gained popularity.”
For example, Randal explains that no-till air drilling machines can be used in tow behind tractors for precise rapid planting that tills, by opening a slit in the soil, dropping in seed and closing the seed trench, all while managing residue efficiently in the field.
“No-till air drill carts are particularly economical and conveniently build healthier soil to reduce erosion while reducing money spent on fuel and labor.” he said.
“And many of these machines include sensors and software now for monitoring seed to soil contact.”
For larger scale operations and equipment budgets, Russell says integrated planters and drawn row units will allow farmers to cover more acres with their massive, rowed arms that turn soil and use hydraulics and vacuum air to disperse seeds quickly and efficiently.”
All these types of equipment require specialised parts, components and maintenance to run smoothly, which is where Motion comes in.
“We carry a range of bearings and housing units that are specific to the agriculture segment which we supply directly to farmers or to equipment service and engineering companies that concentrate on maintaining and improving the performance of planting equipment,” said Randal.
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