A Wiedenmann Terra Float Air starts paying its way from the very first outing. Instantly users can manage seeding projects knowing less wastage and a precise measure are guaranteed.
Everything about the Air marks it as different. Take its futuristic look; it could easily be mistaken for a robot, its head, neck and body are actually a composite of three units in one. A base unit aerates or loosens soil to 30 mm using either spikes or fine slits. Then the top-mounted pneumatic air seeder assures a receptive seed bed either pre or post top dressing. Finally, a brush and roller combination incorporates top dressing materials to the ground before smoothing the surface.
The beauty of the machine is the amount of accuracy and choice it gives. Controls are worked from inside the cab. Memory function control pad stores input and calibration data for next use
Seed distribution is absolutely uniform thanks to the pneumatic air flow and deflector system. Any of six seed dosing rollers can be chosen depending on grass species and task in hand. The smallest is for pure bent seed with dosage rates as low as 0.5 g / m² while there are options for bluegrass-ryegrass, fescue, mixes and coated seeds all the way up to 45 g / m². Simply select the right cup size for the seed type and then the required number of cups in the dosing roller for the sow rate.
Cameron McMillan, Managing Director of Djuke, the Surrey-based sports turf contractor, has used the Air on football sites and golf courses across the south east as part of several renovation projects. Most recently it has been central to a programmed approach to slowly introduce creeping bent seed into older greens over the top of poa.
“The different roller sizes are hugely helpful. With creeping bent obviously we want the smallest seed carriage. We’ve been working at approximately 3 g / m². Air chutes deliver the seed consistently onto the baffle plates and they fan the seed out across the sward into the holes created by the sarrel roller. The holes are just right; not too small and not too deep. Its quick we can do 9 greens easily in half a day with minimal disruption.
“Delivering seed well is not the easiest thing to do and let’s face it, it’s expensive. Essentially the Air is accurate and effective and you know that you are not wasting any. Feedback from course managers is favourable with a healthy strike rate and bookings for repeat business.”
