DD Direct Drill Technology
Achieve true zero-till with the Sumo Direct Drill
The DD system is based on the zero-till approach to farming. This system allows crop residues to be left in the field which the DD coulter will aid the incorporation of into the soil profile, this adds organic matter to the soil which aids structure and the health of the microbes and worms which live within the soil. Residues also provide cover for the soil at a critical time of the year and moisture is also locked into these areas and is ready for young crops to use.
This practice reduces the need for cultivations over time because as the soil structure improves, natural drainage, organic soil matter levels, weight carrying capacity and soil fertility improve, too. Farming in this way is proven to lower input costs, create a soil environment well-suited to strong yields, and protects the environment from carbon loss.
The incredibly simple drill coulter only loosens the minimum amount of soil for seed placement by only loosening the area in which the seed will germinate and the narrow spacing, between 187.5mm – 208mm, depending on the width of drill, gives the crop a higher competitiveness against weeds, thus reducing the need for herbicide appli- cations and/or mechanical methods.
Due to the minimum depth being disturbed the power required to operate this type of drill is less then min till methods, this then means smaller (and lighter) tractors can be used, also reducing the fuel, labour and machinery costs. With the reduction in soil disturbance, less weed germination will take place reducing the competition for the crop and less weed eradication (spray or mechanical operations) is necessary.
The DD is just as at home establishing, and drilling into, green cover. Green cover needs to be managed in a similar way to stubble in keeping the root structure undisrupted and trash evenly distributed.
Designed and manufactured in Britain, the DD features our own Orga metering unit capable of dispensing a wide range of seeds and fertilisers with varying rates.
A leading disc cuts through crop trash and cover crops to help stop the build up of debris around the coulter, aids incorporation of the trash / cover crop and starts the seed furrow cleanly by reducing surface tear.
The seed coulter leg is located near to the disc and the distance can be adjusted by a depth wheel on this, allowing for accurate seed and fertiliser (on selected models) placement. The seed coulter only creates the very minimum depth furrow required, reducing soil dis- turbance which is beneficial to the microbial & worm health, soil structure is improved by doing this and keeps the maximum amount of soil in cohesion with itself reducing the risk of erosion.
There is a seed tab following this coulter which stops seed bounce, ensuring that the seed is in the optimum place for germination.
The cleated wheel which is slightly behind the coulter leg fractures the side wall of the fur- row and starts to close the furrow over the seed.
Following at the end is a scalloped covering disc which covers the seed trench with the displaced soil and collapses any of the side wall of the seed trench which the cleated tyre has left ensuring good coverage of the seed. The amount of force which this covering disc exerts can be adjusted depending on the soil type and the consolidation required. The heavier the soil ie clay loam will require force to break the furrow side walls.
Good consolidation is crucial as for the seed to germinate the seed requires the contact to extract the moisture from the soil. This coverage and consolidation reduces the risk of slugs attacking the seeds as slugs can only travel through the gaps within the soil, they cant make their own way through the soil.
| Product Specification | MOUNTED DD 3 | TRAILED DD 4 | TRAILED DD 5 | TRAILED DD 6 | TRAILED DD 8 | TRAILED DD 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code | DD3 | DD4 | DD5 | DD6 | DD8 | DD9 |
| Working Width | 3.0m | 4.0m | 5.0m | 6.0m | 8.0m | 9.0m |
| Transport Width | 3.0m | 2.8m | 2.8m | 2.9m | 2.9m | 2.9m |
| Total Hopper Capacity (litres) | 1900 | 3600 | 3600 | 3600 | 3600 | 3600 |
| Row Spacing (mm) | 187.5 | 200 | 208 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Rows | 16 | 20 | 24 | 30 | 40 | 45 |
| Half Width Shut Off | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Double Seed Row | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Seed Row Width (mm) | 187.5 | 200 | 208 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Camera | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lights | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Markers | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Not available | Not available |
| Type | Mounted | Trailed | Trailed | Trailed | Trailed | Trailed |
| Tyre Size | - | 560/45-22.5 | 560/45-22.5 | 620/40-22.5 | 710/35-22.5 | 710/35-22.5 |
| Weight | 2700kg | 6785kg | 7797kg | 9050kg | 10330kg | 11448kg |
| Product Specification | DD 3 TOOLBAR | DD 4 TOOLBAR |
|---|---|---|
| Code | DD3T | DD4T |
| Working Width | 3.0m | 4.0m |
| Transport Width | 3.0m | 2.8m |
| Row Spacing (mm) | 187.5 | 200 |
| Rows | 16 | 20 |
| Type | Rigid | Hydraulic folding |
| Weight | 2670kg | 3920kg |
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