Unlike previous versions of Kuhn Farm Machinery’s Espro min-till seed drills, the folding 6m 6000 RC offers seed placement and fertiliser application in one pass. In common with other trailed machines in the range (includes the 3m rigid 3000 and the 4 and 6m foldable 4000 R and 6000 R), the 6000 RC uses two rows of cultivating discs followed by a single row of 900mm diameter offset press wheels. The new drill differs in that it has an additional row of single disc coulters behind the working discs, which deliver fertiliser or a second seed variety directly in front of the press wheels and equidistant from each of the two main rows of seed. Kuhn says placing fertiliser to this level of precision ensures the seed receives the necessary nutrients during the early stages of growth whilst also minimising the risk of the young plants being scorched by coming into direct contact with the fertiliser. The RC is fitted with a 5500-litre, twin-compartment hopper which is divided on a 60:40 (fertiliser:seed) basis. Two separate metering and distribution systems provide several potential modes of operation including the ability to sow: one seed variety from both compartments; seed and fertiliser from the separate compartments; two main crop varieties; or a mixture of two seed varieties with each sown to a different depth.
An optional set of front press wheels with in-cab pressure adjustment can also be added to provide a level soil surface ahead of the working discs and to prevent the machine from sinking into lighter or wet soils. Espro 6000 RC start from £132,323.
