3 January 2007

FIRST-TIME EXHIBITORS OPICO TO LAUNCH RANGE OF GRASS HARROWS AND SEEDERS AT FARM MACHINERY SHOW

Following its huge success in the UK, the OPICO range of grass harrows and seeders will be launched by the Lincolnshire-based agricultural machinery distributor at the Farm Machinery Show, Punchestown, from February 6 to 8.

This will be OPICO’s first time as exhibitors at the Farm Machinery Show and is a key part of the company’s plans to set up a distribution network in Southern Ireland.

“Recent visits have convinced me that there is a huge potential for the sales of our products in the south of Ireland,” said OPICO managing director James Woolway.

With its spring tines, adaptable frame and contour flexing bed, the OPICO grass harrow is the ideal tool for revitalising pastures, scarifying, cleaning out moss and dead grass and opening up the soil surface.

It is available with 7mm or 8mm tines, with ten tine angle settings that are adjustable to suit all ground conditions.  The flexible bed exerts even pressure on every tine for consistent harrowing right across the field.

The harrows are available as non-folding units or with mechanical, hydraulic or scissor folding. Working widths range from 1.5m to 15m.

Range of seeders

Also on show will be examples of the OPICO range of seeders for over-seeding or re-seeding pastures.

The Air Control is an ideal low cost, precise seeding machine that accurately meters and distributes the seed through its eight outlets. Two electric drive fan units blow the seed out up to 6.5m working width, while a simple dial allows the operator to adjust the seed rates on the move from the tractor seat.

The Air 8 seeder is a similar machine to the Air Control but with ground wheel drive. This enables it to meter the seed relative to the forward speed of the machine, and accurately meter and distribute the seed evenly across the width of the machine.  At the same time, the grass harrow opens up the soil and creates a tilth, then covers in the seed to produce the ideal environment for germination.

The Air 8 Electronic uses an electric motor and full in-cab control box to give the operator control of the seeder, allowing easier calibration and seed rate adjustment from the tractor seat.

Top of the range is the Air 16 seeder, which has 16 outlets to give accurate distribution up to 12.5m working width.  The unit comes with an electric in-cab control box that simplifies operation and gives accurate operator feedback.  An electric hectare meter, on the move seed-rate adjustment, low seed level sensor, hydraulic fan drive are other features.

Also on show will be the Variocast, which can be mounted on any type of implement and provide low cost seeding of such crops as rape, stubble turnips, kale and other small seeds as well as distributing slug pellets.

Groundwheel driven to maintain a consistent seed rate, the Variocast 8 has a working width of up to 6.5 metres and the Variocast 16 up to 12.5 metres.  The Variocast Electronic offers all the standard Variocast features but with a variable speed electric motor driving the metering roller.  This allows infinitely variable seed rates to be controlled from the cab.

For more information come and see us at the Farm Machinery Show