Vaderstad, is a household name when it comes to cultivations, seedbed preparation and seed placement. This latest model is from the Spirit range and is one of the first seed drills in Ireland to feature E-Control, a wireless communication method enabling full access to the drills’ functions and data.

The drill we saw working was the R 300s from the Spirit series, this is the smallest drill available in the series with a working width of three meters. The Spirit models suit the Irish market well as they’re aimed towards uneven ground and loose soils, such that have been ploughed. Using a double disc configuration, they place the seed in reconsolidated soil. The other series of drills offered by Vaderstad, called the Rapid, are aimed at the heavy soils, using a single disc to slice the prepared seedbed.

Highly suitable for min till or direct drilling as high penetration forces are required, reconsolidating after the seed coulters.

The Spirit R 300S can be broken down into six zones, starting at the front of the drill

Wheel press pivot

Before drilling, the soil is consolidated by the tractor wheels as the drill is being pulled. The drill features a pivot packer to ensure reconsolidation between tractor wheels/tracks.

Seedbed preparation Moving down the central backbone of the drill’s design, which is claimed to make the drill easier to pull, are the track eradicators - a part of the Swedish company’s CrossBoard Heavy System Disc Aggressive.

This most aggressive front tool available, is perfect for working in tough ploughed or min till conditions with its 450mm diameter conical discs mounted in an X formation. The depth of this tool bar is fully adjustable from the cab.

Offset wheel press

To ensure a firm seedbed prior to seed placement, a second round of large packer wheels consolidates the soil between the front tool and rear mounted seed coulters. This setup proves itself in fields that may have been ploughed or cultivated deep, leaving soil loose as result. This is done by six 400/55-15.5 wheels mounted in a staggered configuration, which according to Vaderstad also leaves the drill easier pulled. A minimum power requirement of 100hp is recommended. The drill also features the light soil kit, which consists of rubber legs that evens out the soil ridges if present between the consolidation wheels.

Seed placement

After this further consolidation, the most important part of the process happens, the seed placement. The Spirit R has 380mm offset discs for accuracy. These discs move the soil to the side and place the seed at the bottom of the seed furrow.

Once the seed has been placed, the soil falls back behind the disc covering the seed with the fine soil. A key feature of this Spirit drill is its active coulter and wing pressure. Sensors in the hydraulic system mean the machine immediately knows whether it’s on a rise or in a dip within the field. Valves instantly compensate for both pressure drops and rises, ensuring the coulter pressure is maintained at the preset value. This ensures a constant seed depth across the whole working width of the machine.

Coulter packer wheels The 380mm packer wheels that follow the coulters are tubeless leaving behind a wide foot print giving perfect precision in closing the seed slot as well as ensuring the working depth is constantly maintained. These packers are spoked in design to keep themselves clean, allowing for no surface in which clay can stick easily. The TriForce rubber cushioning allows for greater movement when in dips and on rises.

Following harrow

The Spirit includes a centrally mounted following harrow that presses down on the soil under its own weight. This gives good sensitivity with adjustable pressure as well as work angle.

The harrow is positioned to run in-between the seed rows, so there is no risk of disturbing shallow-drilled seeds. The following harrow claims to create a loose evaporation barrier to preserve moisture and prevents capping after heavy rain. The Spirit R 300S may have the smallest working width within the Spirit range at three meters, while it includes all the latest features of the larger models.

Headland sequence control

An impressive feature of the Spirit R 300S is its automatic headland sequence control. The system automatically lifts and lowers the front tools and seed coulters in sequence when approaching the headland. When entering the soil again the system lowers front tools first then the seed coulters.

Even crop establishment is achieved by eliminating double drilling or overworked headlands.

E-Control

The novel E-Control interface takes farming to a new level in terms of intuitiveness and user-friendliness. The drill is wirelessly connected to the machine via a gateway which is mounted on the machine. The gateway creates its own wireless network so there is no need for Internet access.

An iPad is used as a method of display once stationed in the Vaderstad E-Keeper, this carries along with its many advantages, user friendliness, cost effectiveness and an easy update system, just to mention a few. All Vaderstad’s electronic solutions come under the family name Vaderstad E-Services. Gateway is the system’s control centre, storing information on the machine and then communicating with the iPad in the tractor’s cab. Statistics are logged along with the user’s current position.

The brains of the E-Services and the fan are located in front of the seed hopper.

The E-Keeper supplies power to the iPad as well as having buttons for navigation and handling, if use of the touch screen is undesired. Having no cables running from the drill to the tractor makes life easier for the operator. Vaderstad have developed a user friendly app, which controls all the drill’s functions on state of the art screens. Multiple screens allow for features such as half machine shut off, reducing double drilling, over time increasing on saving with seed and fertiliser. Lifting of the metering wheel can be done with the touch of a button as well as altering of seed application rate and fan speed. The depth of the front tools, seed coulters etc, can all be raised or lowered using the iPad.

Vaderstad E-Keeper and IPad, connected wirelessly to the drill via gateway. The drill's features are controlled effortlessly using the superb screens

The statistics screen displays drilling productivity e.g ha/h, forward speed, fan speed, run number between tramlines and kg/ha of seed applied. A log screen is also present, logging all alarm times, details and locations. A full manual of the drill’s user screens can be found in PDF format for quick, easy problem solving. The setup screen is where all details are entered such as tramline spacings, cereal type etc.

The iPad is also used for drill calibrations, where the iPad can be removed from the tractor and brought out to the drill to carry out this procedure.

Hopper and metering system

The drill’s fan and electrical systems are all integrated at the front of the 2,800 litre capacity seed hopper under cover, reducing fan noise and risk of dust intrusion. The modern plastic seed hopper construction makes it corrosion free. It empties easily, and has a low fill height. Precision is the main aim in the designing of the Spirit drill, beginning with the effective track eradicators ensuring equal soil structure across the entire working width, continuing right the way back to the seed coulters.

Vaderstad Spirit being pulled with the Case Maxxum 145

The metering system of the Spirit is completely corrosion proof and well suited to metering both fertiliser and seed. The flexible rubber Fenix metering rollers are gentle on both the seed and the motor. A radar unit ensures speed signals sent to the metering system function in all conditions, altering seed application proportional to speed. Vaderstad offer the ability to monitor each seed row via their seed monitoring system. This triggers an alarm if seed flow declines, reducing risk of clogged seed hoses.