4 Types of Air Seeders for Farmers
Air seeders allow farmers to plant seeds and fertilizer efficiently while minimizing soil disruption. With no-till planting, air seeders can reduce labor requirements, improve soil health, and streamline crop production.
Several main types of air seeders exist, each with their own pros and cons.
John Deere Air Seeders
John Deere is a leading manufacturer of high-quality air seeders. Their models include:
- P660 – Entry-level air seeder ideal for smaller fields
- P670 – Mid-size air seeder good for various field sizes
- P680 – Heavy-duty air seeder for larger acreage and rugged terrain
- P690 – Top tier air seeder with highest capacity and durability
Key features of John Deere air seeders:
- Specifically designed for no-till planting without tilling
- Heavy-duty construction to withstand tough field conditions
- Low-maintenance and reliable operation
- Easy to adjust settings and calibration
- Advanced monitoring systems (on some models)
While expensive, John Deere air seeders are known for durability, precision planting, and minimized soil compaction.
Oko-Turbo Air Seeder
The Oko-Turbo air seeder is made with high-quality stainless steel outlet tubes, allowing 5-8 rows to be planted at once.
Farmers can adjust the seed placement and spacing as needed for different crops and field variables. It is an affordable option for small to medium operations.
No-Till Air Drills
As the name suggests, no-till air drills directly plant seeds into soil that hasn’t been tilled or cultivated. This provides benefits like:
- Reducing soil erosion and runoff
- Protecting soil macro and microorganisms
- Conserving soil moisture
- Extending planting windows
No-till air drills range from 3-meter models up to 12-meter or wider drills.
They allow farmers to plant more efficiently in one pass while improving long-term soil health.
Commodity Air Carts
Commodity air carts are tanks designed to hold and meter out seed and/or fertilizer to the air seeder. They come in a range of sizes and can be paired with different makes of air drills.
Key features:
- Precise metering and distribution of inputs
- Capacity up to 350+ bushels
- Monitors for seed and fertilizer levels
- Reduces trips back to reload inputs
By streamlining planting, air carts maximize efficiency and productivity.
The optimal air seeder depends on the farm specifics like acreage, terrain, soil type, and crops grown. But air seeders allow farmers to plant quickly and effectively while benefiting the soil.
