SIMBA HORSCH OFFERS TRIO OF 3m DRILLS
Simba Horsch will expand its range to offer three different three metre drills by early 2010.
The existing Pronto DC3 is being joined by a new Sprinter 3 drill that will make its debut at this autumn’s Tillage events, and then by the new mounted Pronto EX, which is currently completing field tests ahead of a planned launch at LAMMA 2010.
This means the company will have the most complete range of drills it has ever offered, especially in the four metre sector of the market, with the trailed ProntoDC (disc coulters) and Sprinter (tines) drills, running from 3m to 12m, complemented by a new 3m mounted drill. In addition, many of these drills can be supplied with split grain/fertiliser hoppers.
The new 3m Sprinter features ten drilling tines mounted at 30cm spacings in two rows, as opposed to its predecessor’s 12 coulters at 25 cms on three bars, a change that reduces the power required to pull it.
By using a slightly wider design of Duett coulter, the drill still covers 75% of the seedbed using the “band-seeding” method popularised by Horsch.
Simba recommends a tractor of around 120hp be used to pull the drill, although reducing the number of ground-contacting parts should enable it be pulled in lower gears or at lower revs, so operating costs like fuel usage and tractor engine wear are reduced.
Alternatively the lower power requirement could enable faster working speeds to be achieved, and exploited to increase output.
The new drill also features a 3,000 litre hopper and an “in-line” packer roll fitted with larger diameter tyres, which provides lower rolling resistance, as well as improving road transport. A full width front packer is also available as an option.
The Pronto EX is currently in field tests across the UK, which will determine which set of ground contacting parts will be offered as the standard unit in UK and which will be options, says Simba’s Steve Burcham:
“The field tests will continue through the autumn so the drill performs in as many soil types and with as wide a selection of seeds as possible.
“The drills have two rows of cultivating discs as standard, but behind that a range of levelling and drilling components are available. We have already tested a version with a finger harrow running ahead of the drilling coulters, but will test a range of other pressing and drilling elements before deciding which elements will comprise the standard equipment for the UK and which will be offered as options”.
