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Magazine PROFI wrote about the OMEGA seed drill

OMEGA means the end. Does it also apply to the versatile seed drill by BEDNAR, or will the machine be able to make a flying start for seed germination?

As soon as the seed drill got down to work, it started pouring with rain. Employment in the field was out of the question in this case. Although we were able to examine all the machine details closely, we would have preferred to use the seed drill more intensively. We were interested in the OMEGA OO 6000 L seed drill with a working width of 6 metres which is comparable to the other models in this series. The OMEGA seed drill is also available with a working width of 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 metres.

Various sections for soil cultivation

As standard, the 6m model is aggregated by means of a tow bar with a triangle into the bottom arms of the 3-point tractor hitch. BEDNAR also offers other hitch options for an extra fee. In the basic model, the tractor must have a separate hydraulic circuit for each function. If requested, the individual hydraulic circuits can be used several times via the control terminal. A tyre packer can be placed in front of the disc working section. The tyre packer is fitted with wheels 27 × 8.5–15 in size and 710mm in diameter. Each side frame is fitted with five tyres and there are four tyres in the middle. Between the tyre packer segments there is space for the tractor track cultivator with an easily adjustable working depth and spring securing against stones. If requested, hydraulically controlled paddle levelling Crushbar can be installed in front of the Frontpack.

Disc section with a third working section

In its basic configuration, the OMEGA seed drill is equipped with two rows of discs. As an alternative to the typical notched discs with a diameter of 460 × 5mm, Agressive discs are available with a diameter of 460 × 5mm and with fine notches. The disc section is X-shaped, which prevents lateral thrust to the sides. Two discs are attached to one arm together and protected against overloading by means of four rubber segments. The working depth is changed hydraulically by means of clips. The outer discs can be adjusted to a greater depth manually as required and therefore there are no special outer discs on the machine. The disc bearings are maintenance-free and the discs work at a 17° angle. Behind the disc section, there is space for optional extras: for a row of coulters, as in our case, or for another paddle levelling bar. There are coulters with various profiles available – each coulter works in the same line as the seed coulter. The third row crumbles and mixes the soil. The depth of the coulter working section can be adjusted independently of the disc section and can also be used individually.

Fertilizer application as another option

Optionally, it is possible to apply fertilizer or seeds behind the second row of discs. In such a case, instead of the single-hopper system presented above, we need a system with a separated double-chamber hopper with two dispenser units and two distributing heads. Next to the disc section, there are steps installed so as to allow access to the narrow bridge over the disc section. The hopper is accessible from the front using the folding ladder. Behind each of the twelve packer wheels, two or three seed coulters are in operation depending on the selected row spacing. Offset placement of the individual tyres and their size (425/55 R 17) prevents blocking and soil accumulation. Each wheel is suspended and mounted individually – a good solution, e.g. when entering a curve.

For road transport, the central wheels are lifted upwards. The machine is then transported on two pairs of braked tyres.

Seeding technology

As one of the few manufacturers, BEDNAR offers solely pressurized hoppers. This ensures enhanced supply of seeds and increased accuracy of supply. The hoppers are made of plastic – with one or two dispenser units. For the single-hopper model, the hinged lid with a width of 2.06m is made of sheet metal. For filling purposes, the lid opens at a 90° angle which makes a good impression. The hopper level is indicated by two sensors: one is situated on the outside towards the top and its angle can be adjusted; the other one is placed in the lower third. There is no need for any other sensor to indicate when the hopper is empty.

The seeds are dispensed electronically by means of the central seed roller. Various seed rollers for different crops are stored in the storage compartment. BEDNAR has divided the pneumatic transport route under the dispenser into two parts – the fan is located in the front under the hopper. Each transport route empties into a separate dispenser head. In single-hopper machines, one half of the machine is supplied by one dispenser head. Magnetic flaps for tramlines are implemented by all the usual tramline systems. If requested, up to five rows of seed coulters can be deactivated on each side. When changing the tramline, the dispenser unit automatically reduces the speed. So as to avoid mistakes in seeding, each of the seed pipes is factory fitted with sensors monitoring the flow. The dispenser technology is controlled via the ISO-Bus terminal. During our visit we saw the Touch 800 terminal by Müller-Elektronik. With the appropriate activation and equipment, it is also possible to change parts of the working width via GPS. At first sight, the screen and control seemed to be really easy.

Calibration in the rear part

OMEGA offers something special for calibration of the seed rate: unlike with machines made by many other manufacturers, the farmer does not need to climb under the hopper but can carry out the process behind the seed coulters. First of all, it is necessary to shift the slide valve on the right side over the disc section. This moves the seed supply to the calibration hose. During this process, the left transport route closes by means of the electric servomotor on the terminal. At the end of the bypass in the rear of the machine, there is an easily accessible mount for the calibration bag with the relevant button. In addition to that, the calibration process can be switched on and off externally. This is followed by the usual weighing and the weighed values are entered into the terminal.

Seed coulters on a parallelogram

Seed coulters are available with row spacing of 12.5 or 16.7cm. In both cases, the seed coulters with 380mm double discs are mounted on a parallelogram. The individual seed coulter discs are mounted with minimum overlapping. Seeds are placed behind the maintenance-free disc storage. Scrapers between the seed coulter discs come as standard. Behind the disc seed coulter, seeds are pushed into the soil by 330mm pressure wheels with a width of 50 or 65mm. Maximum pressure applied to the seed coulter is 130kg according to the manufacturer. The pressure applied to the seed coulter can be adjusted by means of a handle or hydraulically. The same applies to the seeding depth. Irrigators can be adjusted by means of a perforated mechanism.

Everything else in brief

  • The seed drill is designed for a working speed of up to 17 km/h.
  • The OMEGA seed drill can be complemented with a seeding unit for intercrop seeding.
  • Behind the packer wheels, any rubs are levelled out by rubber segments.
  • For an ideal ground adjustment, the seed bar is divided into sections with a width of 1.5m.
  • The 9m OMEGA seed drill complies with the requirements for road transport dimensions.
  • In the double-chamber hopper models, the fertilizer or other seeds can be applied on every second row or behind the disc section.
  • The basic price of the OMEGA OO 6000 L seed drill is 71,400 eur (list price exclusive of VAT). With optional extras, such as the paddle levelling bar and Frontpack (8,850 euro), coulter working section (10,800 eur) and pre-emergent markers (3,400 eur), the price is 123,500 eur. The price of the seed drill configuration with extensive accessories is around the average price.

Summary

The versatile OMEGA seed drill by BEDNAR offers various comfortable and special technical features. They include the coulter working section or the option of calibration in the rear part. The price is fair. We look forward to experience from the 2021 test in the field. Even now, it does not look like the end, but rather like a flying start.

BEDNAR OMEGA 00 6000 L – DATA OVERVIEW

Working width 6 m
Seed hopper capacity 3 500 l
Diameter of Agressive discs with fine notches 460 mm
PROFI coulter diameter 380 mm
Seed coulter disc diameter 380 mm
Row spacing 12,5 / 16,7 cm
Pressure applied to the seed coulter 25 to 130 kg
Frontpack 27 x 8,5-15
Tyre packer wheel size 425/55 R17
Total weight 8 860 kg
Recommended output from 132kW / 180PS
Basic price 71 400 eur*
Total price 123 500 eur*

*Data provided by the manufacturer, prices exclusive of VAT

WORTH KNOWING

  • The price of the OMEGA seed drill with its extensive equipment is around the average price for this class of seed drills.
  • Extensive equipment available – from the frontpacker with its hydraulically controlled paddle levelling bar up to the coulter section with a row of discs and seed flow monitoring.
  • The seed drill operator's comfort made a good impression during our test.

Original article in PROFI magazine

It’s a pleasure to farm with us. [email protected] BEDNAR FMT s.r.o.

GALLERY / MEDIA

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