Following the purchase of South African brand Equalizer, Lemken has wasted no time in demonstrating its years of expertise by adding its own distinctive touches to the Lemken Equalizer CII 8-762N
With the first Lemken Equalizer units having recently arrived in New Zealand, we were chomping at the bit to see this long-awaited planter in action.
Loaded with precision planting technology, and the input of Lemken’s many years of planter manufacturing experience, the unit also features John Deere trailed implement guidance technology. In short, many stars have aligned in making the Lemken Equalizer CII 8-762N a hot piece of machinery, one which particularly excels in the fields of direct drilling and strip tilling.
We spent some time getting familiar with the Equalizer thanks to Brandt, who set it up behind a John Deere 6R-215 loaded with full auto-guidance ensuring that pass-to-pass accuracy was within the 2.5cm we all know and love from RTK correction.
When you think of Lemken, you generally think of the iconic blue colour that’s used throughout its cultivating range. However, post-purchase of the well-known Equalizer brand, Lemken has retained the original distinctive colour scheme, which threw me off a little as I’d been expecting that bright Lemken blue to roll into the yard.
Those who have run precision planting gear know how much information is packed into the system. At first glance it seems like a lot to take in, but with some time picking through the finer details and getting a feel for it, the layout and structure seems to work well.
If we start at the front and work our way back; when it comes to accuracy, as well as having all the technology needed to ensure maximum yield results, the Equalizer’s modular three-bin design delivers total flexibility for managing seed and fertiliser combinations (either mixtures or straights).
The main tank can be reconfigured to suit the needs and requirements of the end user. The specific unit we tested was set up with two granular tanks (for fertiliser) and a liquid tank for the pre-emerge, but setups can be mixed and matched to suit individual property requirements.
Each of the two fertiliser tanks are 1550 litres, while the liquid tank has slightly more capacity at 1650 litres. A handy grate in the top prevents large clumps entering the tank and potentially blocking up metering units.
Whilst the overall height of loading is fine for standard half-tonne and tonne bags, it’s a point to note that for some 1000/1200kg bags a telehandler or hi-ab is needed to reach up and into the center of the tank. All in all, the tank capacity means those planter support operators get an extra few hours a day with their feet up scrolling on the socials thanks to the Equalizer’s extreme efficiency.
Given that the maximum weight with all tanks loaded could be nearing the 4-5-tonne mark, the 480-wide tires at transport width could cause excessive ground compaction. However, this is where the Equalizer’s nifty extending axle comes into play. This telescopic axle pushes the wheels outwards to sit in between the rows, which helps maintain an even and consistent planting depth. This even planting depth with the option of putting the fertiliser in line with the seed or offset is where the precision planting hydraulic pressure setup really comes into a league of its own.
Speaking of coming into its own, all the parameters for the precision planting are done through the 20/20 screen, with applied down force and every statistic under the sun per row unit available at the operator’s fingertips. Information provided to the operator allows easy and immediate decisions to be made to improve the quality of planting, which can have a direct impact on yield.
The system knows where every seed is placed from each row unit, how much pressure is applied, and exactly where in the paddock its resting spot is. The system allows some changes through the screen, but the standout is when physical changes are done and having the ability to see first-hand if those changes were for better or worse.
The job recording side of it is also well done. From saving hybrids, fields, rates and seed placement, a phenomenal amount of information is recorded, which will suit growers extremely well. This information will also fall into the proof of placement hands as that aspect of farming gets more intensive and for famers and contractors, year on year that data and harvest yield map data can be collated to really hone in on what worked and where yield improvements can be gained.
In the paddock, the planter performed well on some undulating terrain. The DeltaForce hydraulic downforce setup really came into play going across sideling’s and through dips and rises. Each unit maintained the right amount of ground contact to ensure even seed depth.
With the seedbed still showing plenty of unbroken sods, the row cleaners were dropped a hole and did a great job proving a clean area for the seed to placed into. Whilst the adjustments for a few of the physical settings could do with some refinement, the seed depth adjustment is very simple with an effective gauge. The rest of the row unit setup is very streamlined and has the ability to apply multiple products at multiple stages of seed placement. From granular fertiliser at the front with the very large discs, through to liquid fertiliser placed on the seed via the seed firmer stick, and an optional micro granular applicator to keep those pesky slugs at bay, all the way to pre-emergent spray nozzles sitting in the rear. The options available will fulfil every client’s needs.
One criticism of long drills (and this is not just the Equalizer, there are many European examples) with transport wheels in front of the tool bar and long main frame to accommodate the large volume tank, means that naturally the distance between the drawbar of the tractor and the seed closing wheels is quite a long way. There is no way of getting around this, but it would be fair to say on the corners due to physics, seed closing on the corners isn’t 100%. To be fair, planting with squared corners gets around this and being completely honest, the shape of the paddock and the undulation during our test was certainly not what would be considered the ‘norm’ when it comes to maize paddocks.
Summary
Right: DeltaForce down pressure mechanism
As soon as I hear the name Equalizer, the first thing that springs to mind is the justice-seeking, gangsta-killing, tough-guy Equalizer series of movies featuring Denzel Washington. Thankfully this Equalizer possesses none of those traits, but in terms of its ability to accurately place seed and fert and then pre-emerge ground it is just as impressive.
We also saw it perform in strip tilled ground and the way the DeltaForce system works means this is certainly its happy place. There’s certainly a lot to like here and the technology in this planter is hard to do justice in a written form, so if you’re in the precision planting market, then it’s definitely worth seeing it in action to truly appreciate the many features.
Top 5
- Factory fitted with cutting edge precision planting equipment
- Disc runs with a leading trailing configuration
- Disc angle is one of the smallest on the market ensuring an easy-to-close furrow
- Factory fitted on-frame tank, which can carry three different products
- High quality robust frame and row units that lift high for easy maintenance
| Make and model | Lemken Equalizer CII 8/762 |
|---|---|
| Number of rows | 8 |
| Main wheel track width | 3m |
| Tractor power required | 96kW |
| Frame style | 2-section vertical folding frame |
| Hitch style | Drawbar for CAT4 or CAT5 pin |
| Working width | 6.1m |
| Transport width | 3.5m (3m optional with telescopic axle) |
| Transport height | 3.5m |
| Seed hopper volume per row | 75L |
| Fertiliser hopper total volume | 3 bins total – 4750L (1550/1650/1550) |