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Air Planter™ Precision Seeding System
The Air Planter™ (AP™) is an integrated, factory-optional system for Bourgault seeding systems, delivering both high-capacity solid seeding and precision singulation planting with a single implement, in a single pass! The Air Planter™ redefines seeding versatility, allowing producers to switch between precision planting of row crops and volumetric seeding in no-till conditions, all while simultaneously banding seed-placed starter phosphorus in the furrow and nitrogen/sulfur blends between the rows via Mid-Row Banders (MRB). Eliminate the capital expense of owning both a conventional air drill and a dedicated row crop planter—the Bourgault Air Planter™ excels at both!
ONE SEEDING SYSTEM FOR BOTH SOLID SEEDING AND PRECISION PLANTING
Economic benefit
Many farmers grow a variety of crops, both solid seeding and precision seeding, and Bourgault has developed a unique Air Planter™ system that allows one seeding system to be used for both solid seeding and precision seeding.
Reducing operating costs and minimizing equipment wear and tear
Bourgault seed drills are renowned for their unrivaled efficiency in managing crop residue and precise seed placement in direct seeding conditions. This allows farmers to minimize soil preparation requirements prior to seeding. Fewer passes contribute to fuel savings, minimized equipment wear, and reduced labor hours.
Preserving the root mass from the previous season will help minimize soil erosion, and the stubble will protect young plants from wind damage and help retain soil moisture.
High adaptability
One of the key development goals for the Air Planter™ system was maximum ease and convenience in switching between solid seeding and precision seeding modes. This was achieved through a meticulously designed distribution system and frame-mounted XP™ metering units, which maintain positive air pressure, ensuring unrivaled seed placement accuracy.
Reducing costs for seeding equipment and seeds
Many farmers are looking to switch from solid seeding to precision seeding to control the cost of expensive seed.
With the Air Planter™ system, you can use one seeding system to precisely seed corn or soybeans in one field, and then solid seed grains in the next! There's no need to purchase separate units for direct seeding and precision seeding—the Bourgault Air Planter™ effectively handles both tasks.
Effective application of fertilizers during sowing
The Air Planter™ precision seeding system delivers safe rates of dry fertilizer in the same row as the seed to stimulate vigorous growth during the early stages of plant development.
Full rates of nitrogen/sulphur fertilisers can be applied between rows via the MRB® system to avoid placing them too close to the seeds and preventing associated root damage.
BULK FILL SYSTEM
The Air Planter™ is equipped with an on-demand Bulk Fill System that gently transfers seed from the Bourgault air cart to the frame-mounted XP™ Metering System on the drill.
Aside from a dedicated distribution fan, the Bulk Fill system operates with no mechanical moving parts, ensuring gentle, damage-free seed delivery to each XP™ Meter. Seed is monitored and counted with extreme accuracy by optical sensors in every meter run, displaying live singulation metrics directly on the Apollo™ console in real time.
Even challenging small seeds like canola are singulated and monitored with up to 99.9% accuracy. This empowers the operator to instantly detect and resolve potential issues in the field, including skips, multiples, or plugged lines.
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Seed containers for precision seeding on a pneumatic air seeders
The Air Planter™ distribution system units are mounted on the underside of the PDM Pro™ metering augers, beneath the precision seeding section of the air seeder. These system components feed the seeds into the pneumatic flow for further transfer to the XP™ metering tanks. -
Bulk Fill (primary pneumatic line)
The air flow from the primary pneumatic line transports seeds from the pneumatic air seeder to the tower ejector, which is mounted on the frame of the seeding complex. -
Distribution Tower / Accumulator
When the ejector is full, the accumulation of seeds blocks the air flow and, consequently, excess seed supply. -
Secondary Distribution Lines & Transfer Fan
The tower ejector fan delivers seed into secondary air lines connected to XP™ meters. -
XP™ Meter Mini-Hoppers
When XP™ dispenser air seeders are full, seed buildup blocks airflow and results in excess seed buildup. -
Positive Pressure Metering Fan
Maintains positive pressure in the XP™ metering system for accurate seed counting and planting.
XP™ Precision Seeding Metering System
The Bourgault XP™ (eXact Placement) electric-drive metering system utilizes positive air pressure to hold seed firmly against the singulating disc and deliver individual seeds reliably to the openers (both hoe and disc configurations). Constant positive air pressure maintains positive control over each seed from disc cell to furrow, ensuring that gravity, high speeds, or rough field contours never degrade the Air Planter™ singulation accuracy. Each metering unit is powered by an independent electric motor managed by the Topcon Apollo™ system, enabling instantaneous shutoff, curve compensation, and eliminating overlapping or gaps on headlands.
The Air Planter™ precision seeding system is suitable for a variety of row spacings and seeding widths. The Bulk Fill system can deliver precision seed from the main sections of the air seeder or from the Saddle Tank™. The XP™ system includes seeding disc kits for precision seeding of corn, soybeans, canola, and other crops.
An optional meter splitter allows a single XP™ meter to split seed into two adjacent runs for narrow row spacings (such as precision singulation of canola). This splitter delivers unmatched emergence uniformity, allowing producers to manage inputs by target plant population (seeds/ha or seeds/acre) rather than gross weight (kg/ha or lb/ac) for canola, soybeans, and other high-value crops.
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