"The Bullet"

Less horse power per hectare: The Bullet is a disc machine and the draft requirements are lower than that of atined implement. The draft requirements are about 55% of that required for a tined implement at the same speedand about the same as a tined implement at high speed,18-22kph. Since planting takes about half the time, thefuel bill is still slashed.

Plant in half the time: The savings in labour are obvious but also there are savings in tractor maintenance andthe added advantage of having time for other duties such as spraying.

Plant in optimum moisture conditions: The farmer can now afford to wait that extra day as it is not necessary toplant when the land is too wet. Further, there will be more hectares planted before land dries out again.Also if there is more rain on the way, more can be planted between the rains. The Bullet gives the farmer more options and increases the opportunity to take advantage of weatherconditions.

Slash your fuel bill: Huge savings are to be gained due to the low draft requirements of the bullet. The fuel bill for planting will be around 55% of that of a tined implement.

Eliminate trash handling problems: The development of The Bulletl heralds a new era in trash handling at closer to conventional row spacings. The discs are bevelled and are self sharpening to maintain optimum performance.

Superior Trash Handling AbilityReduced Capital and Operating CostsFlexibility of Operation Conventional & Tramlining

Growers, in general are now prepared to invest more in seeding equipment than they used to. Disc seeders were seen as expensive, as they were being compared to a modified scarifier, but this is not true compared to a modern tyne bar with parallelogram openers.

In the last few years we have seen a new cycle of disc seeders. Current models are generally stronger and have an improved design, which is more durable and capable of producing well-sown crops. After years of no-till and improved soil management, many soils are in a better condition and ready for good disc seeder results.

Soils with greater organic matter, less compaction and less likelihood of hard setting or crusting, will be more forgiving of seeder performance deficiencies.

The greater operating speed of disc seeders allows greater capacity for the same width compared with a tyne machine, or allows the ability for a narrower disc seeder to sow as many hectares per hour as a wider tyne seeder. This effectively discounts the purchase price and the bonus of being able to cope with heavier residue should encourage more growers to try a disc seeder. Cutting straw higher at harvest increases, possibly doubles, harvester capacity. This could lengthen a harvester's life or reduce the need to replace it with a higher capacity machine when expanding production.

A changed emphasis on capital expenditure patterns could lead to us seeing more high-tech disc seeders in use in the next few years.

More information can also be found on the Tobin Disc Drills website at: www.tobindiscdrills.com.au