Spartan II air drills hit Australian paddocks

GREAT Plains’ Spartan range has been upgraded and modified to suit Australian conditions, writes DARON JACKS.

Great Plains’ Spartan II air drill.

GREAT Plains’ Spartan air drill range was upgraded in 2016 and the next generation model the Spartan II is now available in Australia in two models — the 6m Spartan 607 and 9m Spartan 907 model.

The US tillage specialist says the most significant change to the Spartan is a complete rework of the drill’s seed tower configuration. The previous design had four towers arranged along the width of the seeder.

The new patented system uses two towers that are mounted on the centre section. Primary and secondary hose diameters have increased by 20 per cent for improved seed distribution and air flow.

Great Plains says the shortened hose lengths from meter to tower, and faster variable-rate shut-off from the cab, reduce spillage around headland turns.

Other improvements have been made with seed calibration located at the rear of the machine, easier access to weight brackets, improved on-road handling, and a new variable-rate hydraulic drive.

The triple-disc design has a fluted coulter mounted vertically at the front that prepares a 3cm to 5cm-wide seed bed.

This is followed by 380mm x 4mm offset double disc blades that place seed at the bottom of the furrow with a precision planter-style seed tube designed to eliminate seed bounce.

Senior Product Manager for Kubota Australia, Great Plains’ national distributer, Lars Pasedag said the Spartan machines have been tailored to meet the seasonal needs of Australian farmers and producers.

“These machines are ideal for those in the pasture-renovation or cereal-growing markets, as they offer no-till sowing in a 3m-wide transport width and precise depth control with rear-wheel set-up,” Mr Pasedag said.

“The double shoot opener means seed and fertiliser can be applied flexibly to customers’ needs, creating a more productive and efficient process.”

QUICK SWITCH

Software update to improve sowing accuracy for faster on and off-switching at the headland.

METERS GAINED

New metering unit from the 9m Spartan II for improved sowing accuracy. Now standard with five metering shafts for varying seeds and fertilisers.

SET-UP STREAMLINED

Simplified hydraulic valve block to streamline the hydraulic set-up of the machine.

REDESIGN

The tower system on the new Spartan II 607 has been completely redesigned with the new arrangement cleaner, tidier and practical.

NEW SHUT-OFF VALVE

New Venturi half-width shut-off valve to reliably switch between full-width sowing and shutting off the left half or right half of the drill.

Prices start from $249,500 (+GST)

DETAILS: greatplainsaustralia.com.au