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AIR SEEDERS

Seeder Outlets icon

Typically used for reseeding and overseeding pastures, the pneumatic Air 8 (8 outlets) and the Air 16 (16 outlets) are usually fitted to an OPICO Grass Harrow.

Designed to accurately meter and distribute grass and small seeds evenly across the full width of the grass harrow which opens up the soil, creating a tilth for improved seed to soil contact. 

The seed roller metering is driven by a land wheel on the Air 8 and by an electronic GPS receiver on the Air 8E and Air 16E. The 8 outlet seeders have an electric fan whilst the 16 outlet has a hydraulic fan. Hydraulic fan upgrades are available for the Air 8 and 8E models.

The grass seeder seed rate can be varied from 1 to 80kg* per hectare, according to the type of seed being sown and whether reseeding or overseeding. Where oversowing only specific areas of a field, electronic seeders can also be switched on or off during the harrowing operation.

Sowing should always be followed with rolling to ensure good seed-to-soil contact is achieved.

Applicator Spread Width icon
FETF 2024 - GRANT ELIGIBLE

Air Seeder (400L)

FETF 2024 Grant Eligible Banner

FETF207 - Air drill for establishing cover crops

Eligible Items: Air Seeder (400L)

Item must:

  • be a pneumatic (air) drill
  • be designed to be mounted on existing drills or soil tillage equipment
  • have electronic metering
  • be able to drill small cover crop seeds
  • use either pipes, coulters or spreader plates to place the seed
  • have a minimum 3m drilling width
  • have a seed hopper with a minimum 300L capacity

Percentage paid towards item: 60%

Percentage based on RPA expected average cost of item

Full details

The FETF application window is open!

If you're interested in this machine, the first step is to apply for the eligible machine before the 17th April. Secondly, once you have your application approved, and you’ve accepted your offer, the next step is to purchase the item/machine.

If your application for the above machine is successful, then speak to your local OPICO dealer in good time, to ensure timely delivery before the end of the claim window. Find your local OPICO dealer here.

OPICO air drill for establishing cover crops

 


 

Harrowed vs non harrowed grass

The productivity of old or patchy leys can be rejuvenated and the life of the ley extended, simply by overseeding. This is especially useful where poor drainage or flooding has killed off grass in certain areas of a field, or where livestock have poached ground near gateways and troughs. In addition, the field does not have to come out of use.

With few effective clover-safe herbicides around, many farmers have adopted the approach of ridding the leys of perennial weeds like docks and thistles first, and only stitching-in clover once a clean grass ley has been established. Using the OPICO Grass Harrow, bare ground is exposed onto which the broadcast clover seed can land and establish.

 


 

Typically a first year reseed is expected to give 25% more yield than an old ley, although improvements of 40% have been known. Furthermore the modern grass varieties in seed mixtures have been bred to utilise nitrogen better, and have higher yields and digestibility than older grasses.

In soil conditions where it is difficult to establish new leys, aggressively cultivating the surface and heavily overseeding with a OPICO Seeder in consecutive seasons can give a reliable alternative.

After the usual ground cultivations, always roll the field at least once to obtain a good firm seedbed before harrowing and seeding and then roll again after to ensure good soil to seed contact.

OPICo Grass Harrow and Air Seeder mounted to a Massey Ferguson tractor in cultivated field

 

BEST PRACTICE

 

Field of grass

For leys to reach their full potential for yield and quality, an integrated approach to grassland management is essential.

As well as harrowing, this includes: maintaining good drainage, avoiding soil compaction, reseeding with grass and clover mixtures appropriate to livestock and purpose, timely weed and pest control and tailoring fertiliser applications to compensate for soil nutrient shortfalls.

Grass is a very valuable crop and treating it as such can dramatically reduce seed costs.


 

FEATURES & BENEFITS

Precise Seed Metering

Unlike most other types of seeders, the OPICO Air 8, 8E and Air 16E grassland seeder uses individual metering rollers for each seed outlet enabling extremely accurate seed metering and guaranteeing the same amount of seed is fed to each outlet.

This is crucially important when using low seed rates and small seeds.

Seed metering rollers for OPICO Air Seeders

Four types of metering rollers are available. Two of these quickly interchangeable seed rollers are supplied as standard - the coarse (green) and fine (blue), the third or fourth can be purchased as an extra.

Forward speed related metering

OPICO Air Seeder land wheel and GPS receiver

Mechanical seeders come with spoked land wheel drive to give constant forward speed related metering. The electronic machine uses a GPS receiver.

On some tractors it is possible to connect to the tractors own GPS system. Forward speed related metering means accurately maintained application rates on high draft machines and in awkward shaped fields where ground speed may vary.


 

Pneumatic Seed Delivery

Hydraulic fan on OPICO Air 16E Pro

A hydraulic fan or two 12v electric fans provide the airflow to deliver the seed down the pipe to the correct position on the machine.

Electric fans have a full wiring looms and switch unit in the cab. There is an optional air flow alarm to warn the operator in case of blockage or malfunction.

Hydraulic drive units (left image) include a fan speed sensor and alarm to warn the operator if the fan is not turned on when seeding or if there is a malfunction.

RATE CONTROL

The amount of seed applied is controlled by the speed of the metering roller and is adjusted until the desired seed rate is achieved. The Air 8 mechanical drive seeder has a clever step-less gearbox to ensure reliability in work and seed rate.

The Air 8E and Air 16E (electronic) seeders have a speed sensing motor that is constantly checked and adjusted by the computer control box to give you a constant seed rate at all times.

A stepless gearbox and lever are used to adjust the seed rate.

Electronic Versions

Electronic in-cab control box for OPICO Air Seeders

The control box in the cab allows setting and adjustment on the move, and records the area that has been travelled and how much seed was put on that area.

Calibration

Calibration tray for OPICO Air Seeders

On all machines this is performed by removing the metering roller cover and using the calibration tray.

Drive Mechanism

Drive mechanism on OPICO Air Seeders

Toothed, non slip drive belts are used to transmit power to the seed roller and agitator. Agitator disengagement for delicate seeds is done by simply reversing the agitator drive pulley.

AIR SEEDER MODELS

Whether you are over-seeding or re-seeding pastures OPICO have a seeder to suit the job. The Air 8 seeder is designed to fit directly onto an OPICO Grass Harrow..

The seeder accurately meters and distributes the seed evenly across the width of the machine whilst the Grass Harrow opens up the soil and creates a tilth and then covers in the seed resulting in the ideal environment for seed germination.

The 8 outlet Air 8 has a twin electric fan, and the seed roller metering is driven by a land wheel. A hydraulic fan upgrade is available for the Air 8 model. 

  • Spread width up to 6m, hopper capacity 180 litres (400 litres optional)

  • Individual metering roller per outlet – even seed distribution

  • Green “coarse” and blue “fine” seed roller supplied as standard - other rollers available

  • Powder coated and anodises – built to last

  • Twin electric fans - easy fitting and control

 

Model No. Working Width Seedbox Volume Seed Outlets Weight
1739002 Up to 6m 180L 8 123kgs

Complete with NEW control box featuring low level sensor, fan alarm and belt drive sensor.

When ordering please state width of machine seeder is to be fitted to.

40kg per hectare when fitted to 6.0m working width.

80kg per hectare when fitted to 3.0m working width.

 

Options & Accessories

Part No. Description
1739590 400L seedbox in lieu of 180L seedbox
17930161 Step and loading platform fits 3m, 4.5m, 5m & 6m harrows
1793556 Electronic hectare meter
1763262R Acoustic and visual fan alarm
1739108* Hydraulic fan for Air 8 - factory fit (requires speed monitor when fitted on mechanical seeder)
67963269† Speed monitor for Hydraulic fan fitted onto Air 8 Mechanical seeder

* Hydraulic fan requires 0-20 l/min oil supply and free flow return (speed monitor is required for all hydraulic fan upgrade kits for mechanical seeders). Please order this in addition.

† Speed monitor is required for all hydraulic fan upgrade kits for mechanical seeders.

The 8 outlet Air 8E has a twin electric fan, and the seed roller metering is driven by an electronic GPS receiver. A hydraulic fan upgrade is available for the Air 8E model.

  • Air 8E spread width up to 6m, hopper capacity 180 litres (400 litres optional)

  • Individual metering roller per outlet – even seed distribution

  • Green “coarse” and blue “fine” seed roller supplied as standard - other rollers available

  • Powder coated and anodises – built to last

 

 

Model No. Working Width Seedbox Volume Fan Type Seed Outlets Weight
1739002E Up to 6m 180L* Hydraulic* 8 123kgs

Complete with electric in-cab control, variable seed-rate, low level hopper sensor, calibration control and hectare meter + fan alarm.

When ordering please state width of machine seeder is to be fitted to.


40kg per hectare when fitted to 6.0m working width.

80kg per hectare when fitted to 3.0m working width.

 

Options & Accessories

Part No. Description
1739590 400L seedbox in lieu of 150L seedbox
17930161 Step and loading platform fits 3m, 4.5m, 5m & 6m harrows
1793556 Electronic hectare meter
1763262R Acoustic and visual fan alarm
1739108* Hydraulic fan for Air 8 - factory fit (requires speed monitor when fitted on mechanical seeder)
67963269† Speed monitor for Hydraulic fan fitted onto Air 8 Mechanical seeder

* Hydraulic fan requires 0-20 l/min oil supply and free flow return (speed monitor is required for all hydraulic fan upgrade kits for mechanical seeders). Please order this in addition.

† Speed monitor is required for all hydraulic fan upgrade kits for mechanical seeders.

OPICO Air 16E Pro Grass Seeder

The 16 outlet Air 16E Pro has a hydraulic fan to distribute the seed on machines up to 12m wide, and the seed roller metering is driven by an electronic GPS receiver.

The Air 16E Pro suits applications where wider working widths, faster working speeds and/or higher seed rates are required.

The larger hopper, hydraulic fan and larger metering mechanism are designed to deal with high output applications.

  • Air 16E Pro spread width up to 12m, hopper capacity 400 litres

  • Individual metering roller per outlet – even seed distribution

  • Green “coarse” and blue “fine” seed roller supplied as standard - other rollers available

  • Powder coated and anodises – built to last

 

 

 

Model No. Working Width Seedbox Volume Fan Type Seed Outlets Weight
1739008* Up to 12m 400L Hydraulic* 16 160kgs

When ordering please state width of machine seeder is to be fitted to.

* Hydraulic fan requires 0-20 I/min max oil supply and free flow return.


40kg per hectare when fitted to 12.0m working width.

80kg per hectare when fitted to 6.0m working width.

 

Options & Accessories

Part No. Description
1739590 400L seedbox in lieu of 180lt seedbox
17930161 Step and loading platform fits 3m, 4.5m, 5m & 6m harrows
1793556 Electronic hectare meter
1763262R Acoustic and visual fan alarm

* Hydraulic fan requires 0-20 l/min oil supply and free flow return (speed monitor is required for all hydraulic fan upgrade kits for mechanical seeders). Please order this in addition.

† Speed monitor is required for all hydraulic fan upgrade kits for mechanical seeders.

AIR SEEDERS BROCHURE

Check out our latest brochure by clicking the image below, download is available. 

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