Review of seeders for precision seeding walk-behind tractors - operating principle, types and price analysis

Mounted seeder for walk-behind tractor
Currently, the mechanization of agricultural work is relevant not only for large agricultural enterprises, but also for small farms. For a small farm, it is optimal to purchase a walk-behind tractor and equip it with the necessary attachments, which you can buy in specialized stores or make yourself.

One type of such attachment is a seeder for a walk-behind tractor. This seeder makes it possible to sow most vegetable and grain crops quite easily, quickly, efficiently and with minimal energy consumption. Such equipment is an indispensable assistant in small agricultural farms. However, when choosing a seeder, you need to make sure that it can be installed on your walk-behind tractor.

Classification of walk-behind seeders

At the moment, walk-behind tractors of various types are produced, depending on specific economic needs. Based on the type of seed application, the following types of equipment are distinguished:

• Nesting. When sowing in rows, seeds are placed in nests.
• Privates. With row sowing, simultaneous seeding is also carried out.
• Dotted or precision seeding. Seed placement occurs in one row and at even intervals when sowing in a wide row.
• Square-nested. Using this equipment, it is possible to sow seeds in pre-marked squares or rectangles.
• Scattered. The equipment is designed to scatter seed material over the entire sown area.

Precision seeder for walk-behind tractor.
Also, seeders can differ in sowing crops or be completely universal. Universal seeders can be used for sowing both vegetable and grain crops. It is worth mentioning precision seeders, which are distinguished by a brush sowing device that guarantees the introduction of a certain amount of seeds into the soil.

In addition to the main technical characteristics, it is worth paying attention to the number of rows that can be sown. And if the equipment installed on conventional tractors can process up to twelve rows, then seeders for walk-behind tractors can sow no more than five.

Precision seeders - cost matches quality

The price of the unit directly depends on the availability of functions, dimensions, manufacturer and quality. If you decide to cultivate a plot of 10 acres in size, then a manual model of a seeder, costing about 6-8 thousand rubles, will not deplete your budget. It’s a different matter if we are talking about a multifunctional precision seeding seeder and several hectares of land. Here we are talking about a multi-row device, the cost of which ranges from 25 thousand or more. It all depends on the area to be sown and functions.

Additional equipment may be included in the kit, but may also be sold separately. A hopper for spreading fertilizers can cost 2,500 thousand or more, depending on its size and model.

Premium STV-2

Seeder STV-2
The motor-block double-row seeder of the Premium series - STV-2 is designed for introducing seeds of corn, garlic and other vegetable and grain crops, of various fractions, into the soil on previously prepared areas. This model simultaneously cuts furrows, introduces seed material and embeds it into the soil, and also compacts the rows. The seeder can be installed on walk-behind tractors with a power of 6 hp or more.

Specifications

Types of seeders according to the type of crops sown

Manufacturers of attachments have created many sowing units, which are universal and special. In addition, there are also combined ones, equipped with a loading hopper for seeds and a hopper for fertilizers.

Universal seeders work with both vegetables and grain crops; they can be adjusted to different seeding materials using a calibrator. Specialized sowing equipment may be intended for the following crops:

• cereals;
• herbs;
• bulbous (onion, garlic);
• vegetable;
• strawberries, etc.

Grain seeder

For sowing grain crops in small and medium-sized areas, grain seeders for dotted-type walk-behind tractors, as well as scattered models, are mainly used. They can be universal and special, mechanical, pneumatic and vacuum.

Grain seeder SV-9 "Yarilo"

Grain planters can have from 5 to 8 rows, while the performance of the walk-behind tractor should be from 6 to 15 horsepower. The distance between rows is set to 15-30 cm (depending on the planting crop). The planting depth is also set to 5-10 cm. The weight of such a planter varies, depending on the model, from 52 to 84 kg. Some seeders are equipped with a fertilizer hopper.

Corn seeders for walk-behind tractors belong to narrowly targeted equipment. For sowing corn, dotted seeders (precision seeding), row and square-cluster seeders are mainly used, ensuring maximum accuracy of grain planting, uniform flows of corn seed into the seed tubes, and the size of the grain does not affect the planting procedure.

Grass seeder

Representatives of grass seeders for walk-behind tractors are models STV-5, SM-6. This equipment is widely used for sowing a variety of grasses, grains and vegetables. The width of the hole in the hopper is adjustable.

Grass seeder STV-6

The operating principle is as follows: a furrow is cut into which the seed is placed, after which the seed is covered with soil. Such planters can be 2, 3... and 8 rows. The unit is put into operation from the lugs using a chain gearbox. The attachment clings to walk-behind tractors with a capacity of at least 6 horsepower.

In addition to dotted ones, scattered planters are also used (with their help you can sow and replant crops), row and nested ones.

Garlic cutter

The garlic seeder for the walk-behind tractor can be single-row or multi-row. Mainly dotted, row and nested models are used. If desired, you can choose equipment that adds fertilizer to the soil when planting garlic.

Nest models do not require calibration of the teeth; the garlic is captured by discs with presser feet.

Garlic cutter for walk-behind tractor

The dotted garlic planter for a walk-behind tractor is driven by lugs, from which torque is transmitted through a chain gearbox. Before planting garlic in this canopy, calibration of the tines is required.

Onion seeder

The seeder for onions, as well as for garlic, can be nested and precision seeding. The teeth are captured by a special disk equipped with a pressure spoon. This design allows you to avoid calibrating the bulbs.

Vegetable grain seeder (Kozachka)

The volume of the loading hopper is up to 50 kg, the row spacing is set from 17 to 30 cm, the distance between seeds is 5-10 cm. The unit has its own wheelset, which increases maneuverability.

Carrot seeder

Vegetable seeders are universal units capable of sowing seeds of various vegetables of different sizes. Farmers widely use dotted and nested seeders.

Vegetable walk-behind seeder

In the first case, the carrot seed passes through a small hole in the seed hopper on its own, in the second, the bulb is captured by a disk with a pressure spoon. Planters can be manual, mechanical and pneumatic.

Strawberry seeder

Strawberry planters can be of several varieties:

• manual (1-6 rows);
• self-propelled mechanical (1-12 rows);
• self-propelled pneumatic (1-3 rows).

The most suitable soil type is loam and sandy loam soil. The sowing depth can vary up to 10 cm. The distance between rows is set at 50 cm, and between bushes at 30 cm.

STV-4

Precision seeder STV-4
Precision seeder STV-4 is used for introducing seeds of various grain and vegetable crops into the soil. Depending on the fraction of planting material, various replaceable drums can be used, which come as standard equipment in the amount of 2 pieces. The seeder can simultaneously lay a furrow, introduce and embed seeds, and then compact the soil. The equipment is driven by a chain transmission from lugs. The seeder can be installed on walk-behind tractors with power from 6 hp.

Specifications

Principle of operation

Seeder

A mechanical precision seed drill of the simplest type works as follows:

• A sowing bushing with holes for a specific crop is installed on the drive shaft
• Seeds are poured into the hopper;
• Using a marker (for seeders of the second type described above), the row spacing is set
• The seeder is installed at the beginning of the first row of the sown area;
• The seeder is set in motion with a smooth and jerkless movement;
• The process of sowing seeds, hidden from the human eye, occurs as follows: each seed fits tightly into a hole in the bushing, then when it rotates, it falls into a groove made by a harrow and is filled up.
• If there is a press wheel at the back of the seeder, installed exactly in the center of the row being sown, the soil above the seeds is thoroughly compacted. This improves the contact of the seed material with the soil, accelerates its germination, absorption of nutrients and moisture by the sprout and its root system
• When working with such a unit, the sower must periodically check the amount of seeds in the hopper, filling it with new ones if necessary.
• After sowing is completed, the remaining seeds are poured out of the hopper, the sowing hub, coulter, harrow, and support wheels are removed and cleaned. The drive chain and sprockets are periodically lubricated with special lubricant.

Important! When operating the seeder, it is necessary to check the coulter, which can become clogged with grass or wet soil. If such an operation is not performed, gaps may appear - unseeded places that can only be discovered when seedlings appear.

When operating the seeder, it is necessary to check the coulter

SM-6

The seeder for the SM-6 walk-behind tractor is designed specifically for the seed application of small-seeded vegetable and grain crops in greenhouses, small farms and personal plots. This equipment can perform uniform six-row sowing of vegetable, grain and herb seeds.

Seeder SM-6

Using the CM-6 seeder, it is possible to sow crops such as peppers, garlic and peas, radishes and beets, parsley and dill, carrots and tomatoes, sweet clover and spinach, and many others.

Uniformity and precision of seed application into the soil is achieved thanks to the ability to adjust the depth and sowing rate. When sowing fine seeds, they should be mixed with a filler, which can be bran, cereals or roasted seeds of various plants, but the use of river sand is strictly not recommended.

Characteristics

Carrot seeder

The manual precision seed drill has the following characteristics:

• The number of sowing units (rows) - for modern models it ranges from 1 to 5-7;
• Type of sowing device - bushing or brush;

Important! The brush sowing unit consists of a drum with brushes and a calibration disk installed outside the hopper. The principle of its operation is as follows: when the drum with brushes rotates, the seeds fill the space between them and are pushed out into a certain hole in the calibration disk, installed opposite the exit window of the sowing apparatus.

• Type of harrow - plate harrows are installed on most manual seeding devices;
• The type of opener is wedge-shaped (pointed);
• Working width - in multi-row (2 or more row seeders) this characteristic averages 7-8 cm. In single-row units, the row spacing is adjusted by changing the length of the marker and can be up to 50-60 cm;
• Seed sowing depth – from 1 to 5 cm;
• Capacity (volume) of the seed hopper – the seed hopper of various units can hold from 0.4-0.5 to 2 liters of seed material;
• Type of rotation transmission from the drive wheel(s) to the sowing unit - direct (the sowing units are located on the same axis with the drive wheels) or chain (the sowing unit is connected to the drive wheel through two sprockets and a chain);
• The recommended speed of the seeder is 3-4 km/h;
• Productivity – from 2-3 to 10-12 hundred parts/hour.

Important! When you type in a search for this unit, the service often gives an option such as “sequivalley seeder” in the search prompt. Following this prompt will not bring any benefit to the user, as it relates to the field of dating, erotic videos, and photographic materials for adults.

Manual precision seed drill

SVTV 4-8

Vacuum seeder SVTV 4-8
The vacuum seeder for walk-behind tractor SVTV 4-8 is designed for precision sowing of vegetable crops, garlic, and grains. The basic configuration has 4 rows, but if necessary, it can be expanded to 8 rows. This equipment allows you to achieve more accurate seeding compared to pneumatic units. The seeder can be used with both heavy walk-behind tractors and mini-tractors.

Specifications

DIY making

By using a mechanism for planting small seeds, sowing can be accelerated 10 times. As an example of a simple hand-held device, consider a carrot seeder.

To make it you will need the following materials::

1. Plastic or metal shaft. You can use a part from a thick-walled pipe.
2. A wheel made from a tin can (a small bicycle wheel will do).
3. A bunker made from a plastic bottle, container, or shampoo container.
4. Retaining rings designed for the wheel.
5. Foam rubber.
6. Transport bracket (1 piece).
7. Wooden handle.
8. Screw “M 4” (from 4 to 8 pcs.).
9. Restrictive rings/clamps (from 2 to 4 pcs.).
10. Nut “M 4” (from 4 to 8 pcs.).

For high-quality assembly you will need tools: a screwdriver, drills with different diameters, scissors, a drill, a knife.

The process of manufacturing a simple manual seeder takes place in several stages:

1. The shaft is being prepared. In the middle of the plastic pipe, recesses of different diameters are drilled (for large and small seeds). The pipe is not drilled through.
2. Wheels are made from tin cans. To ensure better grip, rubber rings are placed on the wheels in several rows. In the middle, using scissors, a hole is cut equal to the diameter of the shaft.
3. A hopper is cut out of a plastic container. The lower part is cut off, holes are made on the opposite walls for the sowing shaft. The bottle is placed upside down.
4. The hopper is placed on the shaft. Foam rubber is laid and glued to the bottle walls so that during further rotation the excess seeds are removed. That is, when the foam brush is turned, the shaft should produce small cells, each of which will contain one or two seeds.
5. The transport bracket is attached to the shaft with wheels and secured with screws.
6. The hopper is carefully attached through a metal plate to the bracket. When the shaft rotates, it should not move.
7. A wooden handle is installed.

The simple design will significantly reduce labor costs . This is how you make a manual seeder with your own hands. The main disadvantage of this mechanism is the limited sowing (only in 1 row) and the sowing of only one vegetable crop due to the different size of the seeds. The problem can be solved by using several replacement cans with different holes.

Much more complicated is a self-made sowing device, with which you can work with seeds of different crops. The main working mechanism in the universal design is the sowing shaft, which is an aluminum tube with a diameter of 30 mm. Holes are drilled in three rows of different sizes. Each line is made for one crop.

Reviews

Alekseev Victor

I have been using the STV-2 seeder for a couple of years now, and so far the unit has been working perfectly. I have sowed beets, radishes, cucumbers, green beans and even corn. I was pleased with the affordable price of the seeder and its ease of maintenance.

Fedorov Nikolay

I bought a STV-4 walk-behind seeder for my small farm. It is very convenient and time-saving that the equipment allows you to make a furrow and at the same time sow, incorporate and compact the soil. For a fairly low price, I acquired an excellent assistant.

Nikolenko Alexander

I tried SVTV 4-8. An excellent unit, also inexpensive and, most importantly, can be used not only with a walk-behind tractor, but also with a mini-tractor. I’m thinking of buying the same one for myself, since I rented this seeder from a friend. This year I want to sow the plot with corn, since the replaceable drums allow me to do this.

Filippov Vitaly

For my walk-behind tractor, I decided to buy an SM-6 precision seed drill last year. Due to the fact that the unit provides adjustment of the depth and sowing rate, it was possible to achieve uniform and accurate placement of seeds into the soil. I liked the seeder, so I recommend it to other farm owners.

Sergey Nefedov

At first I thought about buying a vacuum seeder SVTV 4-8, but changed my mind. I didn’t like the fact that there is no bunker, and in general there is no provision for applying fertilizers to the furrow. A lot of time is wasted this way. First you need to apply the seeds, then a second pass of fertilizer, and only then close it up.

Selection rules

Manufacturers of precision seeders recommend taking into account several important factors when purchasing and operating precision seeders.

1. The benefits of precision sowing are realized when the equipment is properly configured, all operating standards are met, and the soil on the field is prepared and leveled.
2. When deciding to move to precision seeding, consider issues with soil preparation, seed sorting, field clearance, weed control and logistics.
3. Before purchasing a seeder, talk to users and manufacturers and gather all relevant information.
4. Make sure technical support is available on time and terms.
5. Be prepared for the fact that high-tech seeders may not provide greater economic efficiency.
6. Use clean, high quality seeds.
7. Monitor the performance of the seeder, regularly monitor all key parameters, and monitor the speed.
8. Start precision sowing with larger seeds, such as legumes.

Maria Vetlina

Information from Precision Ag, Future farming was used in preparing this article.