Front tanks for working with seed drills, planters and cultivators are all the rage just now – and Horsch has added to its singular Partner 1.6 FT with larger-capacity models and different seed/fertiliser configurations.

First up, there is now a twin-compartment version of the existing 1,600-litre tank, enabling seed and fertiliser to be applied simultaneously, and then double-tank 1,700-litre and 2,100-litre variants.

A 2,500-litre setup with three compartments and metering units is another newcomer, adding further flexibility to the products being handled.

See also: Direct drills revisited – Horsch Avatar 6.16 SD

Prices range from £18,235 for the current 1,600-litre single-section Partner 1.6 FT to £21,425 for the 2.1 FT double and £24,340 for the 2.5 FT triple tank.

Partner perks

Two reasons for adopting front tank technology are especially attractive – it reduces the capital cost of sowing equipment when two or more drills of different types are needed on-farm, since one hopper is shared by all.

Plus, it spreads the all-up weight of the outfit across two tractor axles rather than concentrating it on one, saving the need to further the load by adding counter-balancing front-end ballast.

For some growers, being able to rig up a cultivator to place fertiliser prior to drilling will also be an attraction.

On the other hand, reduced holding capacity resulting in more fill-ups is one downside; another, potentially, is that it takes longer to de-kit the tractor when it is needed for another operation, although Horsch fits quick-couplings to minimise the time taken to separate the transfer pipes.

Common features across the Partner FT range include pressurised compartments to ensure a positive flow of product to the seeding toolbar or cultivator, and large, full-width openings for easier filling.

All Partner FT tanks can carry steel ballast if needed, or a RollPack or TyrePack soil packing option to perform some useful seedbed consolidation between the tractor wheels.

Having a divided compartment adds considerably to application flexibility – seed and fertiliser, two different seeds for companion cropping, or two different fertilisers placed from a cultivator.

The Partner 2.5 FT is equipped with three compartments in a 60:30:10 configuration, enabling microgranular fertilisers or slug pellets to be added to the mix.