Kuhn Farm Machinery has revealed the new Apex trailed disc drill for operators requiring direct and min-till drilling versatility, designed with the input of farmers and contractors.
Initially, two models will be available: a 6m Apex 6000 RC and an 8m Apex 8000 RC, both with a 5,600-litre split seed hopper. “The APEX has been designed to deliver the highest quality crop establishment and precise seed placement for even germination and crop emergence. It’s a dedicated direct drill with superb seed delivery and placement that can also sow in cultivated ground,” says Ed Loder, Kuhn’s arable product specialist.
Kuhn has introduced new Isoflex seeding units on the Apex range, spaced at either 16.7cm or 20cm, for precise control of the seeding depth and seed delivery.
A narrow-angle single disc opener is positioned alongside a large gauge wheel, offering accurate depth control and holding debris in place to prevent these from entering the seed furrow.
High clearance
The Isoflex units are set on a parallelogram linkage, with a 330mm range for consistent seed placement regardless of terrain, and manual depth control via a T lever on each unit. A high front clearance of 460mm allows cover crops to pass under the drill without the risk of blocking.
A maximum of 250kg of hydraulic pressure is possible, which is adjustable down to 80kg, to maintain furrow opening and seeding depth. The seed is delivered into the furrow via a unique seed boot, positioned alongside the opening disc, which is tapered to its base to prevent the furrow becoming wider.
Seed is blown to the front of the boot to ensure accurate placement and prevent seeds being blown out of the furrow on entry. The seed boot has been designed to maintain good contact with the disc to avoid blockages and improve the lifespan of the two parts.
At the rear of the Isoflex units is a large diameter notched closing wheel with an adjustable angle to maintain seed to soil contact for uniform germination and emergence in different soil types. Forward speeds of 12kph are possible whilst maintaining seed placement.
The pressurised hopper is split into two 2,600-litre sections, with dual Optiseed metering units per side, leading to four distribution heads feeding two seeding lines. This allows half-width shut-off as standard but also the option to place two products on alternate rows; two products mixed into the same seeding lines, or one product on alternate rows for wider spacings. This is useful for placing fertiliser alongside seed, intercropping or cover crop seeding, all while reducing overlaps to save seed costs, suggests Kuhn.
An additional 400-litre hopper with Optiseed can be integrated into the drill’s design. Kuhn’s Optiseed metering units, as fitted to its TF 2300 C front tank, provide up to 20 different metering cassettes, changed tool-free at ground level, depending on the seed.
Control of the drill is through Isobus operation from the tractor’s terminal or a CCI screen for versatility with other tractors. A side platform for hopper access improves filling safety and an integrated emptying system transfers unused seed from the hopper into a bag rather than unloading onto the floor.
