Amazone's new EDX 6000-2C.
 Amazone has extended its EDX precision air seeder range with three new mounted machines. Joining the two existing trailed EDX models, the new drills mean the company now offers five variants of the high-performance machines to suit all applications.
    The EDX 6000-2, EDX 6000-2C and EDX 6000-2FC precision air seeders are all three point linkage mounted and all in 6m working width. They have been designed for seasonal outputs from 400-700ha and are also suitable for operation in smaller sized and awkward shaped fields. The trailed EDX 9000-TC and EDX 6000-TC precision air seeders - in 9m and 6m working widths - that were introduced to the market in 2007 and 2009 respectively are better suited to larger-sized fields.
    The technology behind the EDX includes Amazone's new Xpress grain singling and placement system that allows operational speeds of up to 15 km/hr, while other technical innovations help to reduce the setup and non-productive times. Thus, in comparison, the EDX system manages work rates of about 30-50 per cent higher than a conventional precision air seeder while maintaining the placement quality. Experience with the EDX 9000-TC has produced average outputs of 110ha/day. The output of the new mounted machines is about 4ha/hr.
    The range of applications for the EDX range includes sowing maize, sunflowers and rape following either conventional or min-till cultivation systems.
    The three new mounted machines have been designed for specific applications: the EDX 6000-2 is for sowing without under-root fertiliser application; the EDX 6000-2C has a rear-mounted fertiliser application below the seed; and the EDX 6000-2FC has a front-mounted fertiliser hopper.

 The EDX 6000-2FC is equipped
with a front fertiliser hopper.

    The EDX 6000-2C, with its compact design and integrated fertiliser hopper, can be equipped with row spacings of 70, 75 or 80cm and has all the functions closely grouped together at the rear of the tractor. The integrated hopper contains almost 1,100 litres of fertiliser and the centralised seed hopper holds 360 litres. The front-mounted fertiliser hopper for the EDX 6000-2FC acts as ballast on the front of the tractor allowing the machine to be also equipped for narrow sowing without any problem and is available with row spacings of 37.5, 44.9, 50 or 55 cm. Here the centralised seed hopper has a capacity of 400 litres and the front  hopper, which is available from choice, either with a front mounting frame or carried on a front tyre packer, is capable of holding 1,500 or 2,000 litres.
    With the Xpress grain singling and placement system, the singling is no longer carried out separately for each row, but via an air pressure system and one or two central singling drums. After the singling process, the seeds are then passed through a tube into a separate placement zone, the so-called Xpress 'catcher' system with furrow former and catcher roller. Behind the two leading cutting discs, the furrow former makes a rectangular shaped profile furrow. The following catcher roller covers right up to the edges of the furrow so that the seeds cannot roll out of position but are safely caught and pressed into the furrow bottom, even in unfavourable soil conditions, ensuring excellent placement quality even at these higher operating speeds.
    Thanks to the either one or two large, centralised seed hoppers, the EDX precision air seeders offer filling, emptying and change over of seed variety times that are noticeably quicker. At the same time the large capacity seed and fertiliser hoppers mean that refill times are reduced. On the EDX 900-TC, for example, the capacity on-board is sufficient for about 25ha.
    The stripper fingers do not need to be adjusted on every individual seeder unit; rather they are set via the centralised singling drums simultaneously for several rows. As an option, Amazone even offers, via the Amatron+, electric remote control of the stripper finger adjustment. Hence the driver can monitor and adjust the position of the stripper fingers comfortably and easily from the tractor cab without having to stop or to leave the tractor. The adjustment of the fertiliser and sowing coulters is also done centrally via two individual hydraulic pressure systems that offer optional electric remote control. 
    All functions of the EDX precision air seeder machines are actuated via the Amatron+ terminal. This terminal simultaneously monitors the speed and the fill levels on the machine and keeps the driver informed with actual performance data. Naturally, Amatron+ also provides a job management system that is easy to use.
 
For more information visit: www.amazone.co.uk.