Based just outside Conna in Co Cork, Noonan Agri Contractors is run by Moss and his two sons, Padraig and Seamus. Previously running two 3m one-pass systems, the Noonans were keen to make their operation as efficient as possible. A Lemken Solitair 25 trailed pneumatic seed drill caught Moss’s eye at the SIMA show in Paris in February last year.

Upon returning to Cork, the family debated whether they should move to a trailed drill. After agreeing on the concept, they came to the conclusion that they would either opt for a Lemken or a Horsch machine.

Donal O' Leary

“We went for the Lemken machine as we thought the power harrow in front of the wheels offered a better weight distribution. We have some other Lemken machines and we like the build quality. I like the finish of a Lemken power harrow and our local dealer is an agent,” said Padraig.

“Initially we looked at buying a 5m unit, but were advised that a 6m unit would be better, offering more tramline options going forward. I’m delighted I went for the 6m option. However, moving to a 6m trailed drill was a huge change for us. I was a little worried, but at the back of my head I always knew it would work. We run a trailed 6m Kuhn disc harrow and it works well – you don’t need a massive tractor and manoeuvrability is never a problem. We weren’t sure if the John Deere 6250R would be fit for the 6m unit. In fairness, it’s able to manage it, but if we had an extra 50hp it wouldn’t go to waste!” noted Padraig.

Since taking delivery of the drill last autumn, the Noonan’s have sowed just over 700 acres with it.

Donal O' Leary

Improving efficiency

Since taking delivery of the drill last autumn, the Noonans have sowed just over 700 acres with it. Around 500 acres of this was cereals, with the remainder being grass. Padraig noted they are working on mostly ploughed ground. The main reason the Noonans moved to the 6m drill was to improve the efficiency of their business.

“On each of the 3m systems, we were running 200hp tractors sowing up to 40-45 acres each day and burning around 5l to 6l an acre. With our new 6m system, we’re running it on a John Deere 6250R which churns out up to 300hp with IPM (boost). Although it’s been well tested, fuel consumption per acre is also around 5l to 6l an acre. Our output is typically eight acres per hour, so on a good day with straight going we sow over 80 acres. However, it’s with one tractor and one labour unit as opposed to two. With the cost of new tractors nowadays, contractors need to be as efficient as possible to make their systems pay,” said Padraig.

Fuel consumption per acre with the 6250R is around five to six litres an acre.

Donal O' Leary

Technology

Padraig said once the unit is set up, it’s much easier on the operator than his previous 3m drills, which he claims is all down to the technology on board.

“We run the drill on Isobus, meaning we have just the one terminal in the cab. There’s no clutter, it’s very simple. The tractor is a fully spec’d Command Pro, meaning all driving and operational functions are on the one joystick. It’s all about making it easier for the operator. To complement this further, we ordered the drill with section control. It has four sections at every one and a half metres. Once the unit is set up and calibrated, the technology does the thinking and the operator becomes a supervisor. It means the operator is far less fatigued in comparison to when we were running the two 3m systems,” said Padraig.

"The one piece of advice I would give anyone thinking down these lines is that it’s absolutely vital that there’s a good operator on the unit" explained Padraig.

Donal O' Leary

The drill

Padraig complimented the build quality of the machine, but did note that the track eradicators behind the wheel are bolted on and tend to come loose, adding that they are a little on the light side.

The Noonans opted to spec the unit with a hydraulically powered filling auger. They noted it’s very handy and folds up neatly when not in use. Meanwhile, calibration is very similar to most modern drills.

Padraig noted that the drill offers super access for general maintenance and cleaning.

The Solitair 25 has a newly developed metering and distribution system. The drill dispenses the seed to four distributors via four vertically arranged metering units. Each metering unit is driven by a separate electrical motor. It allows seed rates of 0.5 to 500 kg/ha. Padraig noted that the packer roller is hydraulically adjusted, making it easy to adjust when finishing sowing a field.

The Noonans decided against markers or a control box, allowing them to save in the region of €10,000 which they invested into the an auto steer package on the tractor.

Picture / Donal O' Leary

Day to day operation

“The unit leaves a really nice finish in the field. It’s as good as I’ve ever seen. However, I felt the price of the tines is a little saucy – tine costs are around €1.50/€1.60 per acre. But in fairness, the disc coulters are light wearing and do have good lasting.

“If I was ordering one again, I’d definitely try and have cameras installed in the hopper. Although there are sensors and weight cells in it, it’s nice to be able to keep an eye on this from the cab. Especially as there are four ports, one for each section. It’s important there’s the same amount of seed in each,” said Padraig.

“The one piece of advice I would give anyone thinking down these lines is that it’s absolutely vital that there’s a good operator on the unit. You couldn’t consider it otherwise. Moving from a mounted 3m unit to a trailed 6m drill is a big change, the operator needs to be clued in. I’m lucky to have a good operator on my machine,” summed up Padraig.