Dividing the weight of a seed drill by carrying the hopper up front and the coulters out back produces a more balanced and manoeuvrable outfit than when everything is concentrated on the rear linkage.

Mostly seen with wide working widths, Pottinger has extended the concept to a 3m rigid frame version of its Aerosem F so that smaller growers can enjoy the same benefits.

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The drill has previously been available only in folding 4m, 5m and 6m sizes paired with an Amico F tractor front-mounted hopper – newly equipped with its own control unit to make the calibration procedure easier.

Now, in addition to the 3m size, the seeding bar can be bought without the Amico unit to accommodate growers who already have a suitable hopper or prefer the features of another manufacturer’s product.

Soil-working components

The Aerosem F is equipped with 350mm diameter dual disc coulters arranged at opposing angles to create a V-shaped slot.

Each pair is mounted on a rubber-cushioned trailing arm that also carries a manually adjustable press wheel.

Altering the sowing depth is done using a ratchet wrench across all coulter sections at the same time, and this tool is also called on to tweak coulter pressure, which can be applied at up to 60kg to help achieve consistent depth in different seed-beds.

The seeding bar is designed to work in combination with a cultivator of some sort, mounted close behind the implement’s finishing roller.

Pottinger’s new 3m Aerosem F can be used in combination with a Fox 3000 D short disc cultivator or a Lion 30- or 40-series power harrow on 150-200hp tractors.