Express TD – Perfect placement of the grain
Many farmers still consider HORSCH to be a manufacturer of agricultural machinery for large farms. But the technical solutions also fit for medium-sized working width – a fact that is well proven by the three point mounted seed drills introduced last year
For a long time HORSCH has been discussing launching a threepoint version of the well-proven trailed Pronto seed drill. 2009, On the occasion of the 25th company anniversary, the Express was finally presented. For season 2010 we used an Express 3 TD. Similar to the trailed version, cultivate, consolidate, seeding and consolidation is made in one single pass. To achieve this, track eradicator tines are used first, followed by a disc system (identical to the Disc-System of the Pronto), and finally there is a FarmFlex packer with a wave-like profile that carries the major part of the seed drill’s weight while working. But even this combination was brought to its limits because of this year’s extreme conditions. The soils of the test farms were saturated with water and, thus, very cloddy. We had, however, no problems to sow on light and medium soils (after maize for silage) after one pass with the cultivator, but on heavy soils – where the clods could no longer be overcome with a rolling machine – it was necessary to make one pass with a rotary harrow.
The high working speed that was possible with the Express was fantastic. Even under the conditions described, speeds of up to 15 kilometres per hour were no problem at all. From a technical point of view even higher speeds would have been possible – the more so as the seed drill was attached to a Fendt 828 Vario most of the time, a tractor that really is high end for three metre working width with regard to horsepower. But in this case, the driving comfort would have decreased rapidly. According to HORSCH approx. 130 hp is the minimum power required by the Express. As long as a corresponding additional weight is added to such a tractor, this power requirement is absolutely realistic.
There are also some similarities to Pronto. The system is controlled by the DrillManager ME. This control unit is used for all HORSCH seed drills. It controls and operates all functions of the machine. The included terminal is complex, but not complicated. The individual steps are marked with symbols and easy to follow. As the metering unit is driven by an electric motor, we were able to change the seed quantity even while driving by means of the terminal – a really fantastic solution if you know the soil where you are sowing and if you want to adapt to its various conditions while sowing.
If other seeds are used, the metering roller can be changed easily in just a few minutes. Before sowing the system only has to be calibrated once. As far as possible, this is made automatically and you do not have to carry out several calibration tests. This saves time.
The tramline system of the DrillManagers is very convenient, too. Various tramline rhythms can be programmed easily. The most popular tramline settings can be preset via the terminal. When sowing the tramline, the seed quantity is reduced automatically. Thus, a returning of the seed to the hopper is not necessary.
TurboDisc coulters are, then, placing the seed into the soil. They can move upwards and downwards within a range of about 15 centimetres. Despite the extreme conditions of this test and the high speeds the depth control was precise and even. Of course, the high pressure of the individual coulter (up to 120 kilograms) also contributes to the excellent precision of the seed placement.
Conclusion of the „Agrartechnik“
The pneumatic seed drill Express 3 TD has derived from the Pronto. The high and fully developed technical standard now can also be applied to the three-point linkage. The seed can be placed exactly even at high speeds. The DrillManager facilitates many working steps and even allows for changing the seed quantity while driving.