Case IH automates downforce on precision disc air drills

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Case IH is aiming to help growers get the most out of every seed with new AFS Furrow Command for its precision disc series air drills.

The technology essentially allows growers to automate downforce on the parallel-link row-units to maintain consistent seed depth regardless of terrain. The company unveiled AFS Furrow Command downforce automation last month at the National Farm Machinery Show at Louisville, Kentucky.

In this video report, Case IH seeding equipment marketing manager Trent Nowosad, says adding downforce automation is designed to ensure consistent seed placement depth in changing field conditions by varying the hydraulic pressure to maintain contact between the gauge wheel and the ground.

“It’s basically a system where we’ve added load cells on selected row units across the drill. We’re moving from setting down pressure on this drill from a psi or system pressure to an actual feedback from the gauge wheel that sets downforce or pounds of force on that gauge wheel,” says Nowosad. “It allows us to set our down pressure a lot easier because it’s providing us that feedback.” (Story continues after the video.)

“AFS Furrow Command will help operators set the correct row unit down pressure, so they are at the right depth in the field at the right time,” says Nowosad. “In-cab feedback, such as percent ground contact, downforce monitoring and mapping make AFS Furrow Command easy to set.”

Nowosad says the technology ensures every seed is placed accurately no matter the conditions, be it hard ground or heavy residue. It also helps reduce long-term wear on the ground engaging components, while ensuring the gauge wheel down pressure is always right, he adds.

AFS Furrow Command will have limited availability for fall 2023. Full production is expected in 2024.

Click here for more National Farm Machinery Show coverage.

Other Episodes

National Farm Machinery Show (view all) Season 10 (2023) Episode 14

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