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Report concludes that effective air-seeder openers are specific to farm needs

A new report summarizing the testing of seven air-seeder openers showed that each opener had strengths in different areas. According to the AgTech Centre, producer purchasing decision should be based on their particular farm needs.

"We completed seven individual reports and one overall summary, but you won't see a side-by-side comparison," says Blaine Metzger, a project technologist with the AgTech Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta. "Each opener was best under different circumstances. We tested each opener under the same conditions and drew conclusions based on their performance. The farmer can now decide what works best for their operation."

The openers all fit on pneumatic seeders, the most popular type of unit used in direct seeding operations. While technology in openers tends to change slowly, Metzger has seen numerous advancements in technology since the last evaluation four years ago.

"One of the advancements since the last time we looked at openers has been an effort to reduce draft," he says. "This improves fuel efficiency which in today's market can be an important cost savings."

Metzger finds the introduction of hydraulic trip systems to be one of the most compelling changes to opener technology over the past several years. "The hydraulics can seed in most conditions, they were very impressive," he says. "They make adjustments simple and the opener used in the tests lowered draft significantly and the penetration was very good if set properly. With one turn of the knob they can penetrate hard, compact soil with ease."

All the openers were tested over a two year span in three different trials. First the AgTech Centre conducted field studies where each opener was tested on a 12-15 acre plot to get an idea of wear and a general sense of how it worked in the field under actual seeding conditions. After seeding, Metzger and his team took measurements of seed and fertilizer placement, soil disturbance and observed the crop throughout the season.

"All of the openers we tested had no trouble getting through the stubble, and there were no issues with plugging," says Metzger. "Three of the seven openers tested placed the seed and fertilizer at the same depth. By not having to go deep to place the fertilizer below the seed, they reduced draft and the opener was more efficient."

During the off season they tested indoors at the Alberta Soil Bin Test Facility, a related research site. Here they looked at seed and fertilizer placement, speed, packing draft, and vertical side forces under the exact same conditions. They then took the seeders back into the field attached to a draft cart built by the AgTech centre. They tested the draft and vertical side forces, measured trash clearance, soil disturbance and compared the findings to the soil bin results.

Four of the seed openers were part of complete systems made up of opener, shank and trip, and a fourth trial measured displacement angles, degree of trip motion and movement of the full assemblies while tripping.

"We found the amount of soil thrown around the opener was very important," says Metzger. "The less soil thrown means improved seed/soil contact which is better for seed germination. Some openers throw high amounts of soil to the next furrow but then the rear furrow can be exposed. If there are problems in this area you need to compensate with closers and other options for your drill."

The openers tested were the K-Hart 3611, 2612 Double Disk, Dutch Paired Row, Dutch Low Draft Paired Row, Gen 300 T2, Agri-Tech Shark Edge-On Shank Adapter and the Straw Track Seed Master.

Each of the individual evaluation reports and the overall report are now available electronically from the AgTech Centre or from the opener manufacturer. Print copies are also available from the AgTech Centre. Please visit the Ag Tech Centre's booth at the FarmTech Conference in Edmonton January 24-26, 2007.

The AgTech Centre is part of Alberta Agriculture and Food's Technical Services Division and has a mandate to support all aspects of agricultural sustainability.

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