Fertilization changes
Sowing machine responds to various construction plan
At the Sima in Paris, seed drill specialist Monosem is introducing the TFC2 precision seed drill. The machine combines well-known sowing technology in a new frame. This makes it possible to sow a greater diversity of crops precisely with one machine. Conversion takes you half an hour.
Precise sowing of several crops at different row distances with one machine. For instance; corn, sugar beet, beans and soy. It is a question that Monosem is getting more and more. This is also the case in the Netherlands. To shorten the conversion time and simplify the process, it introduces a new frame. It is mainly the row distance that changes when changing crops. You can do that in half an hour.
Mechanical or electrical
The frame is made up of a tube profile that measures 12,5 cm in diameter. It has a maximum working width of 6,5 meters, which is 3 meters during transport. There is a choice of two sowing elements: The NG Plus 4 or Monoshox Plus M. The elements are optionally electrically driven. The outer sections of the machine can move in height to follow contours, such as a sloped edge. In the mechanical version, each element has its own chain drive, via a central sowing shaft, which is driven by running wheels. In the electrical version, the machine has its own generator and battery for the power supply. That's not how it comes down to the tractor dynamo. You operate the electrical version with a terminal from Müller.
Shock absorber
When converting the row distance, which can be varied between 75, 50 and 37 cm, you can also adjust the support wheels at the front. Because the wheels are mounted at the front, the sowing units can be pushed closer together. You can hang a maximum of 16 elements on the 16,5m frame. Both elements can handle seed such as maize, sugar beet, beans, rapeseed, sunflowers and rapeseed. The big difference is the Monoshox damper. This shock absorber is mounted in a parallelogram in order to set the desired coulter pressure. A more stable coulter running increases the accuracy of the seeding result.
cable drive
In addition to a drive chain and electric motor, the company is also showing another novelty: CableDrive. A flexible steel cable with two couplings. The maintenance-sensitive chain and sprockets are replaced. This saves maintenance and results in precision. The oil bath in which the steel cable runs will last a lifetime. The system comes from North America, where it has been used for some time. It therefore looks suspiciously like what John Deere – the owner of Monosem – uses. However, Case IH also applies it, for example. With the standard version you have to manually release the drive. Option is an electric clutch that shifts row by row using a GPS signal. From 2018, the manufacturer will deliver a first limited series.
More (field) beans
Most of the machines that importer Farmstore sells in the Netherlands are used for sowing maize. 'In some springs – such as 2016 – we see that the sowing season for sugar beet and maize overlap. It is then difficult when everything arrives on one machine', remarks representative Chris van de Lindeloof. 'We do notice that contract workers are sowing an increasing diversity of crops. Mainly protein crops such as (field) beans, but also soya. This machine responds to that.'
sowing beets
'Monosem also has specialized beet and chicory sowing machines in its range. Sowing with a pneumatic machine always involves compromises. The advantage of the TFC2 is that the elements are heavier and therefore remain tighter to the ground. They are very suitable in conditions with a lot of crop residues, in non-turning tillage. This is especially important for our customers in Limburg.'
Fertilizer in line
Monosem supplies two front tanks from its own facility for the application of granular fertilizer. They have one (STD) or two (DUO) outlets for moving several hundred kilograms of grain per hectare. The tanks are available with a mechanical or electrical drive. The duotank has two distribution units, one for each outlet. Farmstore will notice a tipping point in the market for the coming season. 'About eight out of ten machines sold use granular fertilizer', says Van de Lindeloof. 'In previous years, the trend was mainly for liquid fertilizers in line. Contractors in particular are enthusiastic about this. They only have to fill very little and do not have to wait for the customer to supply the fertilizer. Another trend that is playing is the administration of granulate. You are then talking about a few kilos per hectare, which are applied with separate granulate spreaders.'
John Deere
In November 2015, John Deere announced the acquisition of the French family business Monosem. However, in Paris, from February 26, the machines are not yet green-yellow. There is a good chance that Deere will even present its own precision seed drill. 'You notice something of the takeover, especially behind the scenes,' says Chris van de Lindeloof. 'Since April 2016, Monosem has a new director. It comes from John Deere. The head of the R&D department also comes from JD. Monosem will keep its own identity for at least another five years.'
The CableDrive drive system introduced on the Sima. It replaces a chain and sprockets and is maintenance-free for life.
Niels van der Boom
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.