Bourgault Australia has released a Frame Mounted Seeder (FMS) range of narrow transport seeders.

These have sowing widths of six and eight metres and a transport size of only 3m wide by 4m high.

They are designed to meet the needs of a whole new market that is seeking access to the precision, strength and productivity of Bourgault seeding equipment that broadacre farmers have become used to over many years.

The FMS seeders are made specifically for Australian conditions and 6m and 8m prototype machines have been tested extensively on-farm by croppers.

More than 4000 hectares were sown using the prototypes in 2019 in a multitude of farming systems, for a range of crops and pastures and in varied conditions.

Valuable feedback was collected from farmers in regions stretching from Victoria to northern New South Wales.

At the end of the successful testing program, the FMS seeders went into production last year and many were used for planting in 2020.

The new FMS range incorporates many of the same components fitted on the larger models of Bourgault seeders.

This includes the PDM Pro™ hydraulic metering units that meet industry standards for accuracy.

With three speeds and a variety of metering augers, seeding rates from two to 200 kilograms per hectare can be achieved.

Both tyne and disc FMS models are available, using the same precision tyne and disc openers that Bourgault offers on its broadacre seeder bars.

The independent ParaLink™ openers, with hydraulic down-pressure, can be controlled either manually from the cab or automatically using Bourgault's PackMaster™.

PackMaster™ is designed with a load-cell on a press wheel to automatically adjust the hydraulic force to the openers. As the ground conditions vary, the hydraulic pressure is increased and decreased accordingly to maintain the required packing pressure.

Although the FMS seeders are new to the market, customers can be confident that the equipment has already been field-proven over several years.

Versatility is a key component of these new machines.

Standard is three-tank metering in 4800 and 7200 litre capacities, and there is an optional fourth Saddle Tank™ for small seeds.

This means seeding options are limited more by imagination than tank capacity.

During prototype testing, it was often found that the extra tank would allow another variety to be added to a pasture mix and this could increase the farmer's options.

Coupled with the ability to use double-shoot air-streams and Bourgault's Mid Row Banders™, spreader plates or coulters, there are seed delivery options for most situations.

To further increase productivity, all models can have an optional BulkBOOM™ crane for filling directly with bulk bags, or an 8-inch folding auger for minimal fill times.

The ability to fill all tanks quickly and easily was found to be a real benefit by farmers during testing, as loading options are typically very limited on a seeder of this size.

Large tyre options, either 750/60R30 or 800/60R32, provide a small footprint in the paddock and a stable platform for the seeder on the road - while also making provisions for 3m centres for controlled traffic farming systems.

Optional brakes provide added peace-of-mind when travelling on roads, or in hilly country.

The FMS seeders are designed to be practical.

Wide, sturdy platforms and easy-to-access metering units mean calibrating, loading and unloading the seeder is easy - with the tanks placed behind the bar away from the openers.

With the bar in front of the tank, visibility is optimised and this ensures the operator can see the job being done behind.

The strength of the frame is obvious at first sight and gives the operator confidence that this seeder will - for many years - be able to handle the tough conditions that Australian farmers know all too well.

Bourgault Australia has distribution centres on both sides of the country, with purpose-built facilities in Perth, Western Australia, and Albury NSW.

The company is committed to supporting its products, and customers can be assured that - with extensive parts warehouses on both sides of the country - parts and service support are easily accessible.