Tempo

Vaderstad has entered the precision planter market for the first time with the Tempo, a high-speed trailed planter available in 6- or 8-row variants that has apparently taken more than five years to develop.

Capable of drilling seed at speeds of up 13kph comfortably (the technicians said they had gone as fast as 21kph during testing), it uses an electrically-driven pressurised seed meter combined with pressurised seed transport to ensure that seed is placed precisely regardless of speed, slope or vibration.

A weight transfer system that can exert a maximum pressure of 325kg means that the Tempo can be used on both conventionally tilled land and in no-till conditions, says the company. Trailing gauge wheels mounted on a walking tandem axle reduce any chance of inconsistencies in planting depth and a press wheel directly behind the seed tube guarantees good seed-to-soil contact.

Both the fan and a separate alternator are pto driven, meaning that tractors of as little as 130hp can pull it at speed.

On-the-go seed rate adjustment, individual row shut-off and sensors on each meter mean that the operator can monitor and adjust the accuracy of drilling at every stage, says Vaderstad.

It’s also possible to apply fertiliser at the same time as drilling, with the 1,700 litre hopper feeding directly to frame-mounted fertiliser coulters designed to be driven at speed and to place compounds 5cm to the side and 2cm below the seed.

It’s available in different row distances, folding can be either hydraulic or manual and the rig is mounted on transport wheels for travel.

Carrier X

Two mounted foldable versions of Vaderstad’s popular Carrier cultivator have joined the trailed line-up. Both are fitted with an x-shape disc arrangement immediately following the rear left-hand tyre, which cuts into the soil enough to stop the machine from being dragged sideways by the tractor. This enables the operator to use GPS without the danger of the following implement not travelling straight behind the tractor, says the Swedish company.

The Carrier X comes in three working widths: 4.25m, 5.25m and 6.25m and folds to a 2.4m in transport. Either steel or cage rollers are available at the rear, steel being better for heavier conditions and the cage the lighter weight alternative. Both extend slightly wider than the working width to give an even finish.

To adjust working depth, everything can be done from the cab using an easily visible depth gauge in the middle of the machine.

More models join the Swift line-up

Vaderstad’s Swift cultivator is now available in 4m and 4.4m working widths suitable for tractors around the 150hp mark. These two new models join the company’s larger 5.6m, 7.2m and 8.7m versions launched earlier this year. The Swift has a hp requirement of between 30-40hp per metre of working width and consists of four rows of vibrating tines mounted on two frame axles. A variety of shins and points depending on the soil type can be fitted and the space between each is 19.3cm.

Vaderstad has used a floating working position so that the wings and centre section follow the soil contours independently while a support wheel on each wing section helps soil contouring and ensures uniform working depth.

Designed as a two-pass machine, the frame of the cultivator has been deliberately left open to avoid straw blockages and tines are followed by rotating levellers and following harrows or crossboard tines and it can work to a depth of 15cm.