Designed for growing requirements - Pronto 9 DC
#HORSCHtogether
Efficiency, individuality and precision – that's how Alexander Haselhoff describes the new Pronto 9 DC. He has been involved with the series as a design engineer for over 20 years. Now the 9-metre version is getting a comprehensive update.
When it comes to robust, precise and efficient seeding technology, the Pronto has always stood for maximum reliability. Alexander Haselhoff, design engineer at HORSCH, has been involved in the development of the Pronto series for over 20 years. As a design engineer, he does not only know every component, but also understands the requirements that farmers make on state-of-the-art technology today.
Update for the classic
"The first Pronto 9 DC was built in 2006. Over the years, we repeatedly adapted it, but at some point, the entire concept has to be revised in order to be prepared for future challenges because our customers' requirements are diverse. Everyone wants a machine that is specifically adapted to their farms and their soils. For us in R & D, this means: We have to take many features and equipment options into account to offer customers this diversity," Alexander Haselhoff explains. The new Pronto 9 DC has therefore been completely redesigned with the objective of offering more customisation options.
One of the most striking features is the new 6,000 l double hopper which is larger than the hopper of the previous model and further increases the machine's efficiency and work rate. It allows for a separate filling with seed and fertiliser (60:40) which does not only save time but also increases efficiency. The new Pronto can be combined with the well-proven TurboDisc system or the parallelogram coulters ParaDisc and ParaDisc Plus which ensure even placement even in changing soil conditions.
Development with a focus on practicality
“Today's customers want a machine that can be precisely adapted to their farms whether with regard to coulters, hopper systems or electronics. Making this diversity possible while still complying with the legally required transport dimensions was the biggest challenge,” Haselhoff says. A task that was successfully solved: The new Pronto 9 DC meets these requirements with legally compliant transport dimensions of 3 m width and 4 m height.
Alexander Haselhoff is particularly proud of the integration of the AutoForce system: “The penetration resistance of the coulters is measured automatically, and the placement depth is actively adjusted depending on the soil conditions. This ensures a constant depth even in changing conditions.”
To make sure that such solutions work in practice, sophisticated processes are required. This is why everything was geared towards efficiency right from the design stage: short distances, a small team and direct coordination with colleagues from the R & D, electronics and hydraulics departments ensure fast processes.
However, it is only in the field that it becomes clear whether the concept also convinces in operating conditions. After the design phase, the first prototype is built and put through its paces: “We test with key farms and test customers, but I also drive the machine myself to see what works and what still has to be optimised.” The data collected has to be evaluated and processed intensively. “This is important so that we have a machine for the pre-series that is as technically mature as possible,” the engineer explains. Once the prototype phase is finished, the changes are incorporated into the series.
The result is a machine that sets new standards for medium to large farms. Whether for conventional or mulch seeding, the new Pronto 9 DC offers significantly more efficiency, greater precision and maximum adaptability. A new universal seed drill that has been developed based on experience and intensive customer contact.