An overpressure metering system, badged Airspeed, has joined the spec list of Horsch’s latest Maestro precision drill models.

This gives buyers a choice of singulation setups across the range, with the company already offering its Airvac vacuum metering on the new generation of CV and RV drills.

Airspeed uses a shot system and catching roller for precise singulation and accurate plant spacings at high speed.

See also: Contractor’s view: Horsch Maestro maize drill

As the name suggests, Airvac applies a vacuum to singulate seed at sowing speeds of up to 12kph and offers more flexibility in terms of crop type and sowing conditions, says Horsch.

Range of crops

Both systems can work with a range of crops including maize, sugar beet, soya and oilseed rape. Using the system to sow beans and peas will be possible in the future.

Only the metering discs need to be changed when switching between crops, and a grain sensor provides information about the accuracy of singulation.

As both systems are driven electrically, section control and variable rate on individual rows can still be used.

The seeding units on new Maestro models also have a revised clamping system attaching them to the main frame, which is claimed to provide better stability and higher hydraulic coulter pressure.

This should make it easy to alter the number of rows from 12 to eight, which is apparently becoming a key requirement for customers.

Fertiliser is applied via a single disc coulter attached to the row unit and its depth can be controlled separately, which will be particularly helpful on heavy, sticky soils.

Updates to the Maestro range mean it now includes five models.

The CV, SV and RV use the Airvac arrangement, while the CX and SX will be equipped with Airspeed. The old SW version has been dropped. The singulation systems are the same price, with an eight-row trailed Maestro CV or CX on 75cm row spacings starting at £58,000.

New-look line-up

The Maestro CV and CX can now use a central hopper for seed and fertiliser, known as Main Tank Supply (MTS), or a large fertiliser hopper and individual seed tanks as before.

The capacity of the central tank in MTS configuration is 3,000 litres for fertiliser and 800 litres for seed.

If the fertiliser-only central tank is used, the capacity is 3,000 litres, with 70 litres of seed in each row hopper. A nine-row variant joins the previous eight- and 12-row options.

Meanwhile, the SW will be replaced by the SV with Airvac metering and SX with Airspeed. The single grain seed drills will be available in widths from 9m to 18m and with 12 to 36 rows. 

Seed capacity

The 9-12m models have a new 8,000-litre seed and fertiliser wagon, while the larger versions feature a 9,000-litre wagon with a seed capacity of 2,000 litres.

Both use the MTS system, with the rows supplied with seed from the central hopper to reduce filling time.

The Maestro RV model is an eight-row mounted unit with one seed tank per row.

Fertiliser supply is carried out via a front-mounted pressurised hopper.