Top Chem and Underhaug will team up to present a number of their products at this year’s FTMTA show.
Top Chem LTD is well-known across Ireland for its unique range of dairy hygiene products. From dealing with dairy farmers, the company saw an opportunity in the market for direct seeding equipment.
A thorough study of seeding methods and manufacturers worldwide led them to the Norwegian brand Underhaug.
Two years after becoming its distributor, it believes the machine has a key role to play for farmers seeking to improve grass quality for both grazing and silage production.
The Underhaug Direct Seed Drill
The machine is available is four working widths from 1.5 to 3m and can sow all kinds of grass seed and most herb seeds.
On surface-cultivated grassland, it can be difficult to perform tillage – a direct seed drill is the answer. Stones just below the surface are not an issue – the spring-loaded seed coulters oscillate freely and slide easily over such obstacles.
The seed drill is also well suited for sowing special seed varieties in existing crops, such as clover in clover-poor meadows or herbs and other vegetable varieties for organic farming.
Why chose Underhaug?
Its unique seed coulters consist of ‘skids’ with two slots with sharp adjustable coulters with adjustable ground pressure.
The coulter pressure is adjustable from 10kg upwards by means of a spring on each coulter arm and hydraulic depth wheels.
Each skid has two longitudinal slots. A hardened steel knife in front of each slot can be adjusted up or down to achieve desired sowing depth.
The seed hopper features 4 feed rollers with 26 to 66 outlets depending on machine size that are driven via chain and land wheel.
The seeding rate is calibrated and set centrally with seed dropping straight into the rows created by the sharp coulters.
This system has proven to be better than regular coulters and avoids ripping up loose soil, stones, and plant residues.
Potato planter
Also on display, during the show will be Underhaug’s new potato planter
This is the semi-automatic potato planter from UM which in few minutes can be converted into a ridger. Thus – here are two quality implements in one.
Versatile
- The planter is well-suited for chitted seed;
- Capacity up to 3,3ac (1.5ha) a day at 70-80 cm. row width;
- Row width adjustable from 65 to 85 cm. in steps of 5cm;
- Spacing stepless adjustable from 25 to 40cm;
- Applicable for planting og all shapes and sizes of seed;
- Equipped with platform for boxes.
This potato planter is designed for those who:
- Grow potatoes on such a scale that purchase of an automatic planter cannot be justified;
- Have specialised in early production and use chitted seed only;
- Are responsible for the potato development on test farms and in agricultural institutes.
Ridger
In standard execution the planter includes a ridger with 450mm shares. The shares are individually adjustable and are equipped with an automatic stone release system.
The planting aggregate
For each row the is a feeding rotor which has 6 cells into which the potatoes are placed manually.
The rotors are driven by a chain connected to a stepwheel following behind the machine.
By means of this stepwheel it is possible to adjust the planting distance from 25 to 40cm. The planting aggregate is also available as a separate unit.
Visit Topchem/Underhaug at this year’s FTMTA show November 12 or November 14 in Punchestown at stand B29.