Research and Development Pipleline
January 2018
This years harvest has provided us the in the paddock hours we needed to really test the Seed Terminator out. With over 6000 hours on the clock power optimisation and wear are at the forefront of our Research and Development activities. We launched straight into this mid January with a test stand being delivered to Kangaroo Island by Mick from Western Australia.
The indications so far are that the major cause of wear is any soil that reaches the mill. When harvesting crops with the front right on the ground or if the ground is undulating, soil can enter the harvester fronts. For high silica soil types wear rates are highest. Outer screens are the first component to wear (because of maximum material speed). The middle and inner screens last proportionally longer (reduced tip speeds) than outer screens. Rotor and flails are similar to middle screen life. We have learnt that there is another compromise that needs to be managed; cutting height to capture weeds and wear rates because of soil entering the front.
This years harvest has provided us the in the paddock hours we needed to really test the Seed Terminator out. With over 6000 hours on the clock power optimisation and wear are at the forefront of our Research and Development activities. We launched straight into this mid January with a test stand being delivered to Kangaroo Island by Mick from Western Australia.
The indications so far are that the major cause of wear is any soil that reaches the mill. When harvesting crops with the front right on the ground or if the ground is undulating, soil can enter the harvester fronts. For high silica soil types wear rates are highest. Outer screens are the first component to wear (because of maximum material speed). The middle and inner screens last proportionally longer (reduced tip speeds) than outer screens. Rotor and flails are similar to middle screen life. We have learnt that there is another compromise that needs to be managed; cutting height to capture weeds and wear rates because of soil entering the front.
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First set of tests in January 2018 show that 15-20% power reduction is looking very achievable within our current design framework.
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Harvest 2017
Harvest is well under way for the 2017 season, below is a map of our Seed Terminator units for the current season.
Harvest is well under way for the 2017 season, below is a map of our Seed Terminator units for the current season.
October 2017
According to a WeedSmart survey done in October, 30% of the 269 respondents said they plan on adding a Seed Terminator to their arsenal against weeds by 2020.
According to a WeedSmart survey done in October, 30% of the 269 respondents said they plan on adding a Seed Terminator to their arsenal against weeds by 2020.
September 2017
The South Australian Grains Industry Trust is using one of the three test stands to trial the Seed Terminator against a range of crops including Wheat, Canola, Lentils, Beans, Chaff laced with Ryegrass, Broom Grass, Turnip, Prickly Lettuce, Medic, Tares, Wild Radish, Bifora, Bedstraw, Marshmallow and Wild Oats. Results should be available in the coming weeks.
Early results show Seed Terminator is over performing.
The South Australian Grains Industry Trust is using one of the three test stands to trial the Seed Terminator against a range of crops including Wheat, Canola, Lentils, Beans, Chaff laced with Ryegrass, Broom Grass, Turnip, Prickly Lettuce, Medic, Tares, Wild Radish, Bifora, Bedstraw, Marshmallow and Wild Oats. Results should be available in the coming weeks.
Early results show Seed Terminator is over performing.
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July 2017 Image above is of one of the three test stands: Pitot tube with hot wire anemometer to measure the air flow, torque transducer to measure torque, dustpan and broom to measure kill!
2016 Lab trials
The Seed Terminator's Multi Stage Hammer Mill and Mechanical Drive System was designed, engineered, manufactured and stationary tested. Samples of wheat chaff laced with annual ryegrass seeds were processed by the Multistage Hammer Mill. Samples were sent to the Weed Science Research Group, University of Adelaide. The prototype was able to consistently reduce germination compared to a control sample by more than 90%.
The Seed Terminator's Multi Stage Hammer Mill and Mechanical Drive System was designed, engineered, manufactured and stationary tested. Samples of wheat chaff laced with annual ryegrass seeds were processed by the Multistage Hammer Mill. Samples were sent to the Weed Science Research Group, University of Adelaide. The prototype was able to consistently reduce germination compared to a control sample by more than 90%.
2016 Field trials
Nine prototype trial units have been installed on Case (7120, 8010, 8120, 9240), New Holland (CR 8090, CR 9090) and John Deere (9760 STS, 2 x S680) in addition a special project to fit-up and operate the Seed Terminator on a Claas harvester is proceeding. The prototypes have been trialed in four states (Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria) across a variety of crops (Wheat, Barley, Canola, Lupins, Oats, Lentils, Faba Beans), soil types and key rainfall zones in the 2016 Harvest.
Nine prototype trial units have been installed on Case (7120, 8010, 8120, 9240), New Holland (CR 8090, CR 9090) and John Deere (9760 STS, 2 x S680) in addition a special project to fit-up and operate the Seed Terminator on a Claas harvester is proceeding. The prototypes have been trialed in four states (Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria) across a variety of crops (Wheat, Barley, Canola, Lupins, Oats, Lentils, Faba Beans), soil types and key rainfall zones in the 2016 Harvest.
To date all research and development activities have been privately funded and our policy is to continue this program and to reinvest profits back into Research and Development. Each prototype is being trialed in the field with experienced partners under appropriate Research & Development and Commercial agreements.
