Precise sowing with Flexi-Coil

Sowing broadacre crops will be more precise and efficient with the newly released Flexi-Coil PD5700 precision hoe drill.

WA machinery dealer Peter Hutton found this out when he attended the 2011 Flexi-Coil Shaping the Future Conference in the Barossa Valley last month.

Peter, of Hutton and Northey Sales at Merredin, was one of several WA dealers who experienced the PD5700 for the first time at the conference.

He said the slab frame design was a popular concept coming out of North America, particularly Canada.

“With the PD5700, Flexi-Coil can truly claim to be one of two manufacturers offering parallel link design,” he said.

“It also maintains the opener depth from top to bottom of the tine working range, preserving optimum seed placement.”

Peter said the single shank design offered advantages over other manufacturers with a twin shank set up.

The machine’s single-shank design delivers both seed and fertiliser in one shank, so it has half the number of shanks versus models that use separate shanks for seed and fertiliser.

This has significant advantages, including improved residue flow, decreased risk of plugging and dragging, better performance in heavier, tougher residue and a better paddock finish.

The single shank has adjustable breakout from 120kg to 250kg (265 to 550lbs) to suit variable paddock conditions. The press wheel packing pressure can also be varied providing the ultimate in seed to soil contact.

Accuracy was another element that impressed Peter.

“Each carrier module is controlled by hydraulics with individual openers, which aids accuracy and improved productivity,” he said.

Peter said the most outstanding feature was the narrow transport width. Available in a choice of three working widths, the PD5700 can unfold to 15.2 metres (50 feet), 18.3 metres (60 feet) or 21.3 metres (70 feet).

All three models are available in 25.4cm or 30.5cm (10 or 12 inch) row widths and are capable of operating with tow-between and tow-behind air systems.

“This machine design is quite radical in that it provides a low profile in both width and height,” Peter said.

“It’s a feature that will influence many buyers.”

According to Flexi-Coil Australia manager Steve Mulder the PD5700 was particularly ideal for farmers with a lot of ground to cover because it offered wide working widths and its patented, rearward-folding frame gave it a narrow transport width of 5.44 metres (17 feet, 8 inches).

He said unmatched by any other air drill in the industry, it provided unsurpassed safety and manoeuvrability in transport and allowed growers to cover more ground in less time while sowing.

“Growers often mention the need to reduce costs and they choose bigger machinery to get the job done faster with fewer passes, which saves labour, fuel and time,” Steve said.

“This new PD5700 precision hoe drill is a boon for farmers who want to make the most of the sowing season by placing seed and fertiliser in exactly the right spot every time and getting it done fast.

“It’s perfectly matched with Flexi-Coil’s 40 series and 50 series air carts, which are recognised industry-wide for their superior seed metering accuracy.

“Together, they give farmers the perfect precision seeding system and allow them to ensure every seed counts.”

Peter is optimistic about the future sales of the Flexi-Coil PD5700 .

“Flexi-Coil was the premier product in the 90s and the early part of this century,” he said.

“I think this machine will retrieve a large part of the market share for Flexi-Coil.”

All that’s needed now is a bit of rain.

“People are looking for an average season, if not an above average season, to generate cash flow,” Peter said.