Claydon, European market leader in direct strip seeding with its Claydon Opti-Till^® System, will launch a new range of mounted drills at LAMMA 2022 (NEC Birmingham, 11-12 January 2022).

Building on the company’s 20 years’ experience of this technology, the nine Claydon Evolution models take direct strip seeding to the next level. With working widths of 3m, 4m, 4.5m, 4.8m, 5m and 6m, they incorporate 9, 13, 15 or 19 tines and most feature a 1910-litre hopper, with the 3m 3MF and 4m 4MRF having a 2700-litre tank split 50:50 between seed and fertiliser. Typical daily outputs range from 20ha for the 3m Evolution which requires a tractor of at least 150hp to 40ha for the 6m version which needs a minimum of 300hp.

Claydon Evolution drills combine new levels of operational functionality with the tried and tested features which have made Claydon Opti-Till^® the crop establishment system of choice for growers who want to reduce costs, increase productivity and improve soil health. All models feature as standard a hydraulic fan, Artemis metering control, tramlining facility, front tine/7″ A-share configuration, together with a double rear toolbar and road lights.

The Evolution line-up, which includes a 5m unit and 4m rigid grain/fertiliser model, incorporates a range of new features to improve operational functionality. Seed 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.

The 1910-litre hopper on seed-only Evolution models holds 160-litres more than current Claydon Hybrid mounted models, while Evolution 3MF and 4m 4MRF versions hold an additional 600 litres. This reduces downtime and increases output, while second and third hopper options for applying multiple types, varieties and sizes of seed further enhance versatility.

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 equipment.

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 strong, 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. The split hopper design of the 3m 3MF and 4m 4MRF models provides additional versatility, allowing fertiliser to be applied at the time of drilling.

CLAYDON LEADING TINE TECHNOLOGY

At the heart of all Evolution models is Claydon’s tried and tested two-tine technology which Suffolk arable farmer Jeff Claydon developed in 2002. A major benefit 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.

The young plant germinates quickly and develops strong roots, tapping into the moisture in the unturned soil to extract nutrients. Sowing in strips also allows more light into the crop and more air to infiltrate the rows, aiding healthy plant development. As the soil structure is retained it can support the weight of heavy following traffic, allowing post drilling operations to be conducted over a much longer period and with significantly less soil damage.

Effective in all conditions, from prolonged dry conditions to following periods of heavy rain, the Claydon Evolution minimises risk and provides sufficient capacity to exploit narrow weather windows. This allows all agricultural seeds, from herbs and grasses to cereals and maize, to be drilled at the right time, in the right conditions and produce the high yields required to make farming businesses more resilient.

Claydon Evolution drills are part of the company’s comprehensive range of tractor-mounted and trailed models from 3m to 8m wide. Claydon’s product line also includes Straw Harrows from 3m to 15m which reduce weed burdens and slug populations, the 6m TerraStar^® light rotary cultivator for situations where more soil movement is required, together with TerraBlade inter-row hoes from 3m to 8m wide which provide a low-cost, mechanical method of controlling weeds in combinable band-sown crops.

The new Evolution range will be available for delivery from autumn 2022 and will replace the current Hybrid range of mounted drills. It will be priced between the Hybrid mounted range it supersedes and the Hybrid Trailed drill range.