Optimised details and extended range
Due to its exact grain singulation the Maestro line is ideal for different crops and offers state-of the art and precise single grain technology. This is why HORSCH intensively works on its further development.
The objective is to exactly singulate every grain and embed it even more optimally – while the handling of the machine is still simple and save. A save, regular emergence is the basis for powerful populations.
The metering systems
The two metering systems are a special feature of all Maestro types. The AirVac and the AirSpeed metering device have a similar design and work according to the same singulation principle. The advantages for the customer, however, are different. The overpressure metering device AirSpeed is ideal for wide rows with a spacing of 70-80 cm and is often used for sowing maize or sunflowers with operational speeds of around 15 km/h. In crops like sugar beet, rape or legumes the operational speed is often limited by other factors like the seed size. Some customers often do not want to go this fast and, thus, use the vacuum metering device AirVac for a row spacing of 45 or 50 cm.
In the past years it became obvious that farmers achieved excellent results with the metering devices with changing seed qualities. Also with rather difficult seeds, e.g. longish and pointed sunflowers, it was possible to optimise the singulation quality during the development stage to a very high level.
The seed wagon concept and MTS system
The HORSCH seed wagon concept for the Maestro still is unique. In the range between 6 and 18 m all current row widths are available. The Maestro seed wagon scores with several advantages at the same time. In the field, the large hopper capacity for seed/fertiliser rests on tyres with a large diameter in the centre between the rows. Thus, compaction is avoided, and yield losses are reduced. The hydraulic system of the coulter wings has been designed in such a way that the weight can be distributed evenly from the middle of the seed wagon to all rows and that it is possible to generate a coulter pressure of up to 350 kg per coulter body over the whole working width.
With the MTS (Main Tank Supply) system and the seed wagon concept you cannot only put fertiliser into the central hopper but seed, too – thus, both can be applied simultaneously. The advantages of the central double hopper have already been proving themselves at the large Maestros for many years. This is the reason why the MTS system was also introduced for the smaller seed wagon models CV/CX for 6 m working width. Thus, the farmer can fill the hopper quickly and easily, e.g. with BigBags, and take more seed along. This increases the efficiency of the machine considerably.
The MTS systems currently are mainly used for solid fertiliser and seed. Next year, however, a pre-series machine with liquid fertiliser and seed in the central hopper will be launched to also provide machines for the European market. HORSCH, thus, reacts to the increasing interest for liquid fertiliser of some farmers who mainly want to apply the required nutrients as an underground fertilisation. The liquid fertiliser is additionally applied into the seed furrow and is immediately available to the young plant as a starter nutrient. Moreover, there are plans for a machine for three components, i.e. solid fertiliser, liquid fertiliser and seed.
Finally, we are testing a machine with an MTS hopper with a capacity of only 3,000 litre for seed without fertiliser. This will be particularly interesting for farms that do not want to or have to apply fertiliser respectively that sow a high ratio of legumes. Or also for organic farms.
