Challenger, a worldwide brand of AGCO  (NYSE:AGCO), is expanding its seeding product offering to include the new Challenger 9830NT Series, an integrated seed hopper, single-disc air drill. The CH9830NT Series incorporates the proven technology of the existing Challenger 9000 Air Drill line, while also featuring a high capacity, two-compartment integrated hopper and a narrow, 3.5m transport width to give it exceptional versatility and performance. 

"The heart of the new 9830NT air drill is Challenger’s field-proven, single-row, single-disc opener system," says AGCO’s Cameron McKenzie, Product Marketing Manager EAME Seeding and Tillage. "This system delivers the precise, high-speed seeding performance farmers are asking for to plant more hectares in less time."

Each tool bar on the CH9830NT single disc drill consists of a patented sowing tool arrangement -  two pairs of seeding discs and two packer tyres with each pair of seeding discs mounted in opposition on a common strut. 

By placing all of the openers in a single row, the opener spacing stays uniform in turns and when subjected to side forces whilst working on slopes. Soil coverage over each seed row is more uniform since the seed is not covered with additional soil from a following row.

Challenger’s single-disc opener design throws significant soil between the discs and in front of the packer tyre, providing more loose soil for packing and minimising open furrows. 

The pneumatic packing tyre packs the full width of the seed row, following the contours of the land. Seed is placed precisely at each edge of the packer tyre, creating an unpacked path to the surface for the seedling and ensuring optimal seed-to-soil contact. 

The patented five degree angle of the packer tyre closes and firms the seed trench as well as keeping the tyres cleaner in sticky conditions.

Two-compartment multi-product tank improves productivity

The CH9830NT Series features a 6200 litre tank capacity – one of the highest in the industry – resulting in higher productivity and versatility of use for grain/fertiliser applications. 

The tank consists of two commodity chambers divided in a 60/40 split, with a forward-chamber capacity of 3700 litres and a rear-chamber capacity of 2467 litres. When combined, this equips the Challenger 9830NT Series with a 695 litres capacity per metre of seeding width.

Growers can be more certain than ever that they will place seeds in exactly the right place at the right time with the new AgControl™ system. Developed through AGCO's Fuse® Technologies, AgControlTM is the most accurate and responsive rate control system on the market, allowing operators to place inputs, such as seeds or fertiliser, into the field at varying rates, according to field prescription zone maps. 

This variable rate technology optimises yield potential across the many soil types and conditions in the field. The CH9830NT task controller also allows operators to vary seed rates as needed. Seed meters are electrically driven and managed by ISO task controllers that provide precise control of the desired seeding rate, along with three-section zone control and seed rate compensation while turning in the field as controlled by the AgControlTM system.

The CH9830NT Series offers exceptionally compact transport dimensions and field manoeuvrability with an 3.5m transport width and a 9.14m working width. Having the seed tank integrated into the frame greatly reduces the overall length compared to conventional air seeders with a towed cart configuration, making it possible to back into irregularly shaped areas of a field or readily manoeuvre around the farmstead and storage buildings.

The Challenger air drill is designed to seed in the entire range of soil conditions, from no-till with heavy residue to conventional seedbeds. The CH9830NT Series utilises an advanced metering system to accurately deliver seeds while operating at high forward speeds. The system features a stainless-steel-bodied venturi, which eliminates the need for a pressurised tank and greatly reduces the demand on the hydraulic fan, while providing a dedicated metering flute for each row. 

Wireless blockage sensors are installed on every seed run to warn the operator if lines are blocked or operating more slowly than specified. The easy-to-use blockage monitoring system is valuable to keep seeding operations running for timely planting of every hectare with minimal interruptions.

On the CH9830NT Series, the down pressure of each toolbar is created by hydraulic cylinders connected in a parallel circuit, creating consistency across the drill and consistency through the entire range of motion of the toolbars. The system is reliable even in the presence of rocks and other obstructions. 

To confirm correct depth placement, the CH9830NT Series utilises colour-coded depth-control collars on each of the frame lift cylinders. The active down-pressure hydraulic circuit is controlled via a cab-mounted terminal that allows operators to change the downward pressure on the go to match varying crop residue and soil conditions.

The CH9830NT Series is also capable of one-pass seeding and offers several convenient fertiliser placement options. 

"With the CH9830NT, Challenger has designed a fast-operating, high seed-capacity drill that integrates the openers and the seed supply onto one frame for greater manoeuvrability, versatility and flexibility, so farmers can use a highly productive air drill in a wider range of farming operations," Cameron McKenzie says.