A NEW nine-row ‘bed planter’ is proving to be just the trick to producing the smaller, uniform-shaped tubers preferred by certified seed producers and crisp processors. Still a relatively new concept in Australia, bed planting increases planting density by up to 20% to improve water conservation and nutrient uptake, which in turn, restricts tuber size. Whereas a conventional cup planter places two rows per bed, the SPUDNIK 8069 plants three rows 45 cm apart whilst maintaining a 182 cm wide bed and 5.46 metre operating width.          

Landpower GRIMME Product Specialist, Haydon Martin, says there are already three such machines in Australia. “SPUDNIK markets a range of bed planters in five to ten row semi-mounted or trailed configurations and hopper capacities ranging from 3.6 to 9 tonnes,” he says. “All models share a simple, robust design for accurate planting and low maintenance. They incorporate the same row units found in GRIMME models but have a unique chain-fed feeder belt that delivers seed consistently to the seed bowl, which helps to reduce bridging in the hopper. A hydraulic shaker and adjustable seed-bowl level ensures optimal singulation. A large-diameter top pulley ensures smooth delivery of the seed piece into the planting element, regardless of ground speed. The planting shoe opens the furrow and ‘floats’ independently of the row unit, ensuring consistent seed piece depth. The smaller bottom pulley releases the seed piece from the cup into the furrow, where it is captured by soil flow round the shoe. The shoe has a replaceable bottom that is available with a high-chromium rod for better wear resistance. The covering discs then covers the seed piece with soil and forms the hill. The planting belt can be tensioned or released quickly without tools. The optional touch-screen terminal and nine-channel video input enables the operator to monitor and adjust all of the machine’s settings ‘on the go’. The cameras on each hopper show you if there’s any misses so you can adjust your speed,” Haydon says.

Sporting one of the more memorable brand names in the farm machinery industry, the SPUDNIK Equipment Company was established in 1958, soon after the Russian satellite Sputnik was launched into space. The US company was acquired by GRIMME, the world leader in potato, beet and vegetable planting, harvesting and handling technology, in 2003 after a successful joint venture for many years.