Wanting to grow its tillage line, McConnel has jumped on the strip-till bandwagon with the entry-level Seedaerator. For now there is just a 3.0m model but if all goes to plan expect to see this increase to wider widths and higher-spec if it strikes a chord with arable famers.
There were rumours McConnel was developing a one pass strip-till drill for some time before the Shropshire firm finally unveiled last summer. The plan is to start with a simple entry-level model before growing the range with more features and wider working widths.
The machine itself, the Seedaerator, uses the now familiar layout of tines to loosen the soil ahead of coulters so only the ground intended for planting is moved, saving time, fuel and labour and minimising the chance of weeds on the unmoved ground germinating. It is a similar approach preached by a growing number of UK manufacturers and for farmers seems to satisfy their want to move some soil before drilling.
