Claydon, the European market leader in direct strip seeding technology with its Opti-Till® System, will demonstrate a 6m model from the new range of Claydon Evolution mounted drills, at Cereals 2022. The company will also exhibit a 4.8m Evolution drill, its new 9m Straw Harrow, and a 4m TerraBlade inter-row hoe on Stand 800 at Cereals 2022, which will take place at Duxford, Cambridgeshire on 8-9 June.
“This year’s event represents a milestone for Claydon because it marks the twentieth anniversary of the invention of our first direct strip tillage drill, the V Drill, in 2002,” Jeff Claydon, CEO of Claydon Yield-o-Meter Limited states. “It dramatically reduced the cost and time taken to establish crops on our own arable farm in Suffolk and we have continued to develop the Opti-Till® System, a holistic approach to crop establishment which delivers consistent, high yielding crops at low cost for maximum profitability. The Evolution drills are the next step forward in the process of continuous development for Opti-Till® which is becoming even more relevant as input costs rise rapidly.”
NEW CLAYDON EVOLUTION DRILLS
Building on Claydon’s extensive experience of direct strip seeding technology, the nine new Claydon Evolution mounted drill models take direct strip seeding to the next level. Combining enhanced operational functionality with the tried and tested features which have made Claydon Opti-Till® the crop establishment system of choice for growers wanting to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve soil health, they will be available for delivery from autumn 2022. Prices will be between Claydon’s current Hybrid mounted drills, which they supersede, and the company’s Hybrid Trailed models.
A key benefit of the tried and tested two-tine technology which is at the heart of every Claydon drill is its ability to cope with extremes of weather which are becoming increasingly frequent. It delivers exceptional versatility in all climatic conditions, soil types and crops, yet moves soil only in the growing zone. The front tine removes compaction, aerates the soil, and creates drainage in the rooting zone, whilst the seeding tine deposits seeds in the surface tilth. Zonal cultivation means that the previous rooting and soil structure is not destroyed, allowing worms to thrive and soil biota levels to improve.
With working widths of 3m, 4m, 4.5m, 4.8m, 5m and 6m, Evolution models incorporate 9, 13, 15 or 19 tines and most feature a 1910-litre hopper, 160-litres more than the previous Claydon Hybrid mounted models. The 3m Evolution 3MF and 4m 4MRF have a 2700-litre tank, an increase of 600 litres, which is split 50:50 between seed and fertiliser. The larger hoppers reduce downtime and increases output, while second and third hopper options for applying multiple types, varieties and sizes of seed are available to further enhance versatility.
All models feature as standard a hydraulic fan, Artemis metering control, tramlining facility, front tine/7″ (175mm) A-share configuration, double rear toolbar and road lights. Typical daily outputs range from 20ha for the 3m Evolution which requires at least 150hp to 40ha for the 6m version which needs a minimum of 300hp.
The Evolution line-up, which includes a 5m unit and 4m rigid grain/fertiliser model, incorporates new features to improve operational functionality. Seeding depth adjustment is now controlled hydraulically, improved access to the metering unit allows easier calibration, while front-mounted discs which are operated hydraulically from the tractor seat can be specified for seeding into high residue situations.
Other features include quick-fit knock-on/knock-off coulter options for the standard leading tine and A-Share to low disturbance twin disc and tine options. Multiple seed tool options allow a wide range of crops to be drilled across different soil types and situations, while the quick-change facility allows fast, easy modification when required. A large, easily accessible toolbox incorporated into the step frame is also standard.
Options include GPS variable seed rate capability, pre-emergence marker arms, front disc toolbar, stone protection, micro fertiliser applicator, low-disturbance twin tine kit, slug pelleter, blockage sensors and a light and vision kit.
The strength and rugged design of the Claydon Evolution keeps running costs to a minimum with reliable operation and minimum downtime, enabling fuel-efficient farming and minimal soil disturbance in all sowing scenarios, without compromising crop establishment or yields. The drill operates accurately, reliably, and inexpensively across a wide range of situations, the simple, robust design and great flexibility allowing it to be used in the autumn or spring to establish any crop that can be air sown.
NEW CLAYDON 9M STRAW HARROW
The Claydon Straw Harrow is simple, robust, and effective. It achieves the high working speeds (15 to 25km/h) which are necessary to create a micro-tilth in the top 30mm of soil, as well as breaking up straw so that it decomposes rapidly. It does so quickly and cost-effectively, typically using just one litre of fuel per hectare.
The new 9m mounted version bridges the gap between the popular 7.5m mounted and 12.5m trailed models, providing larger farms with greater flexibility and output without incurring the higher cost of a trailed unit. It incorporates 75 double tines, each of which is attached to the frame by a unique fixing that enables it to pivot and absorb shock loads when working in stony conditions or turning.
The ‘wrap around’ design of the tines enables high-speed turning on the headlands, which avoids leaving heaps of straw behind that interfere with subsequent operations or crop development. Tine angle is hydraulically adjustable from the tractor cab for optimum tilth and straw flow, while huge inter-tine and under-frame clearances ensure that the implement will work without blocking. Five rows of heavy-duty 14mm-diameter tines are standard, but 16mm tines are a cost option for exceptionally tough conditions.
Incorporating the same rugged design as other Claydon Straw Harrows, the 9m mounted version features a box section frame manufactured from high grade steel, while the wing pivot pins are greaseable and bushed to ensure a long service life. Twin hydraulic rams on each wing section enable them to fold vertically and remain level in work, creating a uniform tilth across the full width of the implement even when operating at speed.
The typical/suggested output figure for the 9m model, which has minimum power requirement of 180hp, is 12ha/h when operating at 20km/h. Weighing 1850kg and suitable for use on a Cat 3 linkage, it folds to 2.99m wide and 3.55m high for transport. Light boards and protection guards are standard.
Claydon Straw Harrow are now available in 3m, 7.5m and 9m mounted versions, together with 12.5m and 15m trailed models. The company’s product range also includes the 6m TerraStar® light rotary cultivator for situations where more soil movement is required than can be achieved with a Straw harrow, together with TerraBlade inter-row hoes from 3m to 8m wide which provide a low-cost, mechanical method of controlling weeds in band-sown combinable crops.
