WORKSHOP: To drill maize crops efficiently and cost effectively, we decided to put together a combi drill using our new Lemken Zirkon 8 power harrow and a rather older Monosem drill.
But we had to make the following modifications:
● On the power harrow, add lower links that could couple to the drill.
● Extend the top link.
● Install a hydraulically powered pto unit to drive the maize drill.
● Fit a sensor on the hydraulic drive to check it’s turning.
● Add an over-run slip clutch between the hydraulic drive and the fan.
The link arms are attached to the front of the roller frame. Support cables connect the arms to the power harrow headstock. These cables then transfer the weight of the drill to the headstock, so the drill’s weight isn’t resting on the roller frame. When sowing cereals, we can easily remove the lower links and the cables and refit our grain drill.
The over-run slip clutch and the sensor are necessary, because we also rely on the large capacity pto-powered hydraulic pto unit to operate other machines. The sensor has an audible alarm, so the operator doesn’t forget to switch the hydraulic pto on. The over-run clutch cuts out the risk of peak loads and prevents the fan from suddenly stopping. If needed, the original pto shaft can be fitted to the maize drill and it used without the power harrow. Alternatively, you could use the auxiliary pto stub on the power harrow and adjust the fan speed if necessary.
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