Maschio Gaspardo Chrono speeds up corn planting

Chrono is the Maschio Gaspardo’s newest technology for high speed planting. Chrono uses high speed planting technology. Vacuum precision planters with the Chrono metering unit feature an electrical transmission and a pressurised seed delivery system. It enables this planter to operate at 15 km/h with maximum planting accuracy, according to the manufacturer.

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Chrono is the Maschio Gaspardo’s newest technology for high speed planting. – Photos: Koos Groenewold

Adjustable pneumatic air flow

The adjustable pneumatic air flow transports seeds from the metering unit to the seeding furrow, without vibrations or bouncing in the seeding tube. Two independent systems manage the vacuum of the metering unit for seed selection while the pressurised air flow transports the seeds though the delivery tube to the furrow.

The seed transport air flow is adjustable and it can be set according to seed type and working speed. This Chrono solution is accurate with any type of seed, says Maschio Gaspardo. It is to ensure perfect seed placement even when the working speed is low or with small seeds.

Seed sensor

The vacuum applied to the metering unit through the plate holes attracts and picks seeds that are singulated by the double seed singulator. The micrometric adjustment enables the singulation of any seed type and shape with maximum accuracy. The seed sensor collects instant data about population, distance and singulation efficiency. The operator can adjust the planting parameters directly from the tractor’s Isobus monitor or by using an additional monitor.

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The metering unit is placed at a 15 degrees angle. Seeds are released by the distributor to the seed tube with zero friction.

Section control

The demonstration in the Netherlands got off to a slow start. De Isobus terminal in the Fendt 516 Vario immediately recognised the planter, but the GPS section control system refused to work. As it turned out, the contractor who owns the Fendt did not purchase that module when he bought the tractor, therefore section control wasn’t activated by Fendt.

Despite the Fendt being equipped with RTK-GPS, some slight curves were noticeable in the rows. Again the Chrono planter wasn’t to blame, the problem was caused by the Fendt’s front axle suspension. At 15 km/h the tractor started to wobble a bit. After the front axle suspension system was deactivated, the rows were straight as an arrow.

The planting itself was flawlessly executed. After inspection, we found the seeds at perfect depth, nicely tucked into the soil, with an even distance between the seeds.

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We found the seeds at perfect depth, nicely tucked into the soil, with an even distance between the seeds.

Production to start late 2019

The machine we saw working, was a pre-series version, but looked fully developed and might just as well have been a series production machine. Gaspardo will start production late 2019.