Case IH Seeding Equipment Enhancements Make Every Seed Count

 

From performance to precision and from durability to convenience, these advancements deliver high-efficiency seeding

 

Enhancements for 2018 help ensure the Case IH air seeding product line continues to lead the industry in productivity and agronomics.

 

“Seeding equipment steadily grows in popularity,” said Trent Nowosad, Case IH marketing manager for seeding equipment. “When it comes to meeting cropping challenges with maximum flexibility, seeding provides the versatility that allows producers to quickly react to changes in crop selection. Our goal is to constantly offer improvements that help producers achieve high-efficiency seeding.”

 

The Case IH Precision Disk™ 500T single disk air drill features an on-board mounted 70- or 100-bushel tank with seed metering, four-section overlap control and unmatched maneuverability. New for 2018, producers can add tank-mounted weigh scales. Tank weighs are accessible through the Case IH Advanced Farming Systems AFS Pro 700 display or other compatible displays. A display on the rear tank platform also provides on-the-go weight readouts. 

 

“More and more, producers rely on a diverse crop mix — from wheat and other cereal grains to specialty crops and soybeans. And then, there’s the rapidly growing interest in cover crops,” Nowosad said. “Access to accurate real-time tank weighs are critical to help monitor seeding rates.”

 

Optional tank lights also are available for the Precision Disk 500T single disk air drill to help extend the workday while improving operator safety.

 

For high-capacity air seeding, the Precision Disk 500 air drill and Case IH Precision Air™ 5 series air carts lead the way. Tow-behind or tow-between configurations and capacities ranging from 350 to 950 bushels form the perfect match for today’s larger drills and higher-horsepower tractors. Precision Air 5 series air carts feature an innovative modular metering control system that accurately places seed and fertilizer. The air carts also feature an AFS AccuSection™ modular metering control system for more efficient crop input use.

 

“Consistent high-efficiency seeding starts with the row unit,” Nowosad said. “We designed our row unit to cut and handle the heaviest residue. Precision Disk air drill row units feature a parallel-link system. The upper and lower arm ensure even depth placement across varying soil conditions.” In-cab down pressure adjustment and down force springs provide consistency at each row unit. The result: superior depth control at higher speeds.

 

But soils and conditions can change dramatically across the field or from pass to pass. And that can throw off seed placement and seed-to-soil contact.

 

New for 2018, to help ensure optimal performance across the toughest field conditions and soil types, is a grease point for the packer arm on the Precision Disk 500 and 500T row unit. This change improves packer arm movement in the most challenging situations. A new extended-wear gauge wheel option provides added durability and longevity. And for greater convenience, the front hitch on both models now also includes a handy hose holder that stores hydraulic lines and electrical connections when the drill is not hitched to a tractor.

 

The latest software update provides a better user interface for improved ease of operation.

 

“This new software update brings greater consistency across our seeding products,” Nowosad said. “The interface for our Precision Disk air drills now has a similar look, feel and functionality to that of our Precision Air 5 series carts.”

 

An optional wireless flow blockage monitoring system — available for the Precision Disk 500, Flex Hoe™ 400 and Flex Hoe 700 air drills — uses acoustic sensors to “listen” for the sound of seed and fertilizer flow.

 

“This new system requires less wiring than traditional blockage monitoring systems,” Nowosad said. “A user interface via an iPad app displays all manifold runs and provides an alert if a run becomes blocked.” This interface provides real-time continuous blockage status updates and tracks blockage history by manifold and individual run to help pinpoint issues.

 

To help meet the demands for high-capacity seeding and better utilize today’s high-horsepower tractors, Case IH is expanding its Flex Hoe 700 lineup with an 80-foot width offering.

 

“High-Efficiency Farming is about making the best use of time, resources and inputs,” Nowosad said. “This new, wider Flex Hoe 700 will help producers seed more acres, more efficiently, every day.”

 

The new Flex Hoe 700 features a fold-back design for safe, easy transport and storage; 10- or 12-inch trip spacing configurations; rubber or steel press wheels and optional high-flotation tires.