Lemken will launch a new drill combination at Lamma 2011 designed to offer the perfect solution to farmers needing to work equally efficiently in min-till and plough-based crop establishment.
    The company says that non-powered cultivator drills have much to offer in terms of forward speed and operating cost. As such sales of machines like the Lemken Compact-Solitair, have increased in recent years, often used in a minimum tillage establishment system to reduce overall establishment cost. However an increase in grass weeds, on many farms, has occurred where the plough is removed completely from the system. For this reason, most farmers now agree that the plough must be used at least rotationally across the farm.
    The problem with using a mixture of min-till and plough-based establishment is that few drills are equally suited to both systems. While trailed cultivator drills can cope on ploughed land if drilled early in good weather, late drilling on wet ploughed land is not always their biggest strength. Adding to the problem is that most agronomists will advise farmers that the best way to control black grass is to delay drilling until at least the second week of October.
    The Solitair seed drill has always been available for use in combination with a Zirkon power harrow, and is ideally suited to work behind the plough, particularly if the land is wet. Customers like the double-disc and press-wheel coulters that provide a very consistent seed depth, critical if certain pre-emergence grass weed chemicals will be used, and although Suffolk coulters are available, they are rarely purchased.

Lemken's Solitair seed drill can now be easily moved between the Heliodor disc harrow and Zirkon power harrow.

    From March 2011, the Solitair 3m and 4m rigid drill can also be mounted on Lemken's Heliodor compact disc harrow. In this configuration, the machine offers the opportunity for higher forward speed, and reduced running costs, compared to the power-harrow based option. However, retention of the double disc and press wheel coulters, ensures consistency of seed depth is not compromised.
    This new option means customers are able to purchase three Lemken machines, and mix and match them to the given situation. Both the Heliodor disc harrow and Zirkon power harrow can be used as standalone machines when needed. Furthermore, each can be used as the base machine for the Solitair seed drill.
    Where high-speed output, possibly in a min-till situation, is needed, the drill can be mounted on the Heliodor. If a more aggressive cultivation is required, the drill can be removed from the Heliodor and mounted on the Zirkon power harrow. A simple pin attachment ensures that the change can be made in less than 10 minutes.
    A 3m Heliodor disc harrow with marker arms and Solitair 8 seed drill is expected to be priced from £32,669.

For more information visit: www.lemken.com.