Hydraulically-driven air blowers developed to order

SUMO Ltd's Versadrill range of agricultural machines offer farmers and contractors the ability to cope with most ground conditions to achieve fast and efficient seed drilling. They permit direct drilling into land with stubble, or that is ploughed or pressed, in just one pass with diverse types and sizes of seed. Helping to achieve this, the company uses custom-engineered, hydraulically-driven blowers.

Features of the SUMO Versadrill include adjustable soil-loosening legs for depths of up to 300mm, which relieve soil compaction and aerate in a V-shape. This V-shape then, uniquely, has two rows of seed placed accurately via disc coulters (vertical blades to cut the soil) along each side to give the crop the best possible chance to both germinate and grow to maturity with free roots. The company's research has shown that there is no need to deep-loosen earth for every seed row, thereby helping to save fuel.

Seed is delivered to the disc coulters via a blower system. Initially seed is accurately weighed as it leaves the 2700-litre bulk hopper mounted on the Versadrill. It is then drawn down to pass through a venturi valve from where it is blown along a feeder pipe to a multi-leg distribution hub that delivers seed to each coulter via dedicated feed hoses.

Versatile and scalable

Using this technique, different models of the Versadrill can plant from 16 to 48 rows simultaneously. Seeds that can be handled by the SUMO machines range in size from oilseed rape up to broad beans.

The blowers employed by SUMO are supplied by Air Control Industries and are powered by an hydraulic motor that is driven by the Versadrill's hydraulic systems instead of the normal electric motor. In addition to being able to supply the blowers as impeller-and-housing assemblies, ACI has provided SUMO with a consultancy service combined with the ability to build units to match different requirements to promote high overall operating efficiency. This, in turn, is complemented by the fact ACI is a British manufacturer and can guarantee a rapid response support service when required.

Chris Byass, the Product Development Manager at SUMO, comments: "ACI has been very responsive to all our needs. The blowers are sized accurately to each Versadrill model following an analysis of performance requirements so energy consumption is minimised. Also, because we are a British company we are keen to buy British, particularly when we are confident that the supplier offers a product and service superior to the competition."

Contact ACI for more information about custom blowers.