Air Drills

Seeding Solutions

Flexi-Coil provides seeding equipment solutions to help farmers conserve land resources and adopt techniques that conserve soil moisture and nutrient-rich topsoil. Each component of a direct seeding system, whether no-till or minimum-till, must be chosen and managed to the soil's advantage. The right air drill choices for your operation will help protect your soil and reduce the effects of detrimental environmental conditions.

The Flexi-Coil Advantage

Flexi-Coil’s reputation for state-of-the-art precision air drills has been built on the ability to build technology that not only improves efficiency, but also supports direct seeding farming principles. The 5000HD with it’s many configurations and array of opener choices offers precise seeding in a variety of conditions.

Seeding Styles

Seeding accuracy depends on finding the right seeding style and opener to match your conditions. Understanding the basic seeding styles is a key first step to deciding which opener is right for you.

Opener and seed boot information provided here is intended to be a general guide in average soil and moisture conditions. The Flexi-Coil brand cannot accept liability for crop loss or damage caused by placement or excessive rates.

Narrow Row Hoe

A hoe opener places the seed and/or fertilizer in a narrow row using on-row press wheel packing. Narrow row hoes are sometimes called "knife openers."

Disturbance

Low overall soil disturbance.

Weed Control

Herbicides, crop rotations and cultural controls.

Fertilizer

NH₃ can be placed at seeding.
Moderate rates of granular fertilizer may be placed with the seed, usually supplemented with a separate operation.

Customer-specific Solutions

Stealth™ single-shoot openers.
Stealth NH₃ or liquid fertilizer kit.
Knock-On™ Stealth tip adapter.

Spread Row

A low- to moderate-disturbance hoe opener places the seed and fertilizer in a band that is followed by a matching on-row press wheel.

Disturbance

Low to moderate soil and residue disturbance.

Weed Control

Herbicides, crop rotations and cultural control.

Fertilizer

NH₃ can be placed at seeding.
Spread reduces the concentration of the seed and fertilizer allowing higher fertilizer rates than with narrow row openers.

Customer-specific Solutions

Stealth™ openers with 3-, 4- or 5-inch spread tips.
Knock-On™ Stealth tip adapter with 3-, 4- or 5-inch spread tips.
Knock-On™ openers with 2-, 3-, 4- or 5 1/2 -inch mini-sweeps and adjustable spread boots.

Spread Row Sweep

Seed and/or fertilizer is placed in a row behind a full sweep that provides weed control in the seeding pass. Each row is followed by on-row press wheel packing that matches spread width.

Disturbance

High soil and residue disturbance.

Weed Control

Mechanical weed control at the time of seeding.

Fertilizer

NH₃ can be placed at seeding with InterRow shanks.
Granular fertilizer can be placed with the seed.
Rate depends on the type of seed, row width and soil and moisture conditions.

Customer-specific Solutions

Knock-On™ 9-, 11- or 12-inch sweeps in combination with the adjustable spread boot.
Bolt-on sweeps can also be used in combination with the adjustable spread boot to match spread width to press wheels.

Broadcast Sweep

A full sweep and a spread boot spreads the seed and fertilizer over most of the shank spacing. Packing is accomplished with coil packers in the same pass or in a separate operation.

Disturbance

High soil and residue disturbance.
When using a wide sweep, some method of closing the furrow and leveling the soil must be performed.

Weed Control

Mechanical weed control at the time of seeding.

Fertilizer

NH₃ can be placed at seeding with InterRow shanks.
Seed and granular fertilizer is spread fully over the width of the shank spacing.
Higher seedbed utilization lets you use higher levels of fertilizer.

Customer-specific Solutions

Bolt-on sweeps with cast spread boots.

Double-Shoot

A double-shoot opener places seed and fertilizer separately in a single operation, followed by an on-row press wheel.

Disturbance

Low to moderate soil disturbance.
Low residue disturbance.

Weed Control

Herbicides, crop rotations and cultural controls.

Fertilizer

NH₃ can be placed at seeding in a number of ways.
Precision placement of granular fertilizer in a separate row from the seed allows higher fertilizer rates without endangering seedlings.
Precision placement of NH3 or granular fertilizer in the root zone helps the planted crop to be more vigorous and competitive.
InterRow placement puts NH3 between the rows for maximum seed safety (5000HD only).

Customer-specific Solutions

Stealth paired-row attachments.
Stealth side band attachments.

Openers

Flexi-Coil has designed openers to match a range of seeding styles from no-till to spread row to seeding with weed control.

Stealth™ Openers

The Stealth™ opener, manufactured with tough Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI), is a modular system that adds versatility to your row seeding. A choice of tips or attachments can be mounted on the main body for a customized opener system. Stealth openers work with narrow row hoe and spread row seeding styles.

Replaceable tips let you choose the right opener for your application and help you manage wear. Knife tips are used for both single- and double-shoot and include the heavy-duty tip, the gumbo tip, and tips with carbide points. Spread tips are for single-shoot only.

Three components make up the Stealth opener system. The main body mounts on the shank. A replaceable tip is secured to the main body with a roll pin. If you decide to double-shoot, attachments bolt on to the rear of the main body.

The optional liquid fertilizer or NH₃ kit lets you use the Stealth opener to deep band fertilizer.

Stealth™ Single-shoot

Knife Tips

Low soil disturbance.
Very narrow rows of 1 to 7.8 inches.
For use with any press wheel.
Heavy-duty, gumbo or carbide tips to match soil conditions.

See how the Stealth single-shoot knife tip works:
Download AVI file
Download Quicktime file

Spread Tips

Designed for low disturbance seeding.
Wider product spread allows more fertilizer to be placed with the seed.
Spread tips are available in 3-, 4- or 5-inch sizes.
For use with press wheels that match row widths.

See how the Stealth single-shoot knife tip works:
Download AVI file
Download Quicktime file

Stealth™ Double-shoot

Stealth™ double-shoot attachments bolt on to the rear of the main body and allow separate placement of seed and fertilizer in one pass. Separate placement allows for higher fertilizer application rates without damaging the seed.

Side Band

Places seed one inch above and one inch to the side of the fertilizer.
The wing is designed to force soil into the fertilizer trench, providing separation from the seed.
Can be used with all press wheels.

Paired Row

Places seed one inch above and one inch to both sides of the fertilizer.
Available in HS format for heavy soils and gumbo, and in LS format for light soils and sandy loam.
Designed to force soil into the fertilizer trench to provide separation from the seed.
Recommended for use with press wheels at least three inches wide.

See how the Stealth double-shoot paired row works:

Download AVI file

Download Quicktime file

Paired Row Formats

Places seed one inch above and one inch to both sides of the fertilizer.
Available in HS format for heavy soils and gumbo, and in LS format for light soils and sandy loam.
Designed to force soil into the fertilizer trench to provide separation from the seed.
Recommended for use with press wheels at least three inches wide.

HS paired row, double-shoot attachments are used in heavy soils, with press wheels at least three inches wide.
LS paired row, double-shoot attachments are used in light soils, with press wheels at least three inches wide.
Four-inch paired row, double-shoot attachments are used for greater separation of seed and fertilizer; press wheels should be at least four inches wide.

Knock-On™ Openers

The Knock-On™ system offers maximum versatility and quick-change convenience. From the Knock-On Opener Adapter to the 12-inch sweep, this system can be adjusted to suit three single-shoot seeding styles: narrow row hoe, spread row and spread row sweep seeding.

The Knock-On system is adaptable because you can quickly change from a narrow opener to a wide one. Use a hammer to add or remove sweeps.

Choose sweeps in a range of sizes to match the row width you want. Sweeps are available in 2-, 3-, 4-, 5 ½-, 9-, 11- and 12-inch sizes.

The Knock-On opener adapter lets you use Stealth™ tips with Knock-On convenience. Use a knife tip for narrow row hoe applications, or a spread tip for spread row seeding.

The adjustable spread boot lets you fine-tune the product spread to match your choice of sweeps and packing. A deflector set farther into the product stream, yields a wider product spread.

Spread Row Options
The Knock-On system offers a range of spread row choices.

2- to 3-inch Spread

Spreads seed and fertilizer in a band behind a narrow 2- to 3-inch sweep.
Keeps soil disturbance to a minimum.
Spread pattern covers more soil area so that more fertilizer can be placed with the seed than with narrow openers.
For use with all press wheels.

3- to 5 ½-inch Spread

Seed and fertilizer in a moderate band behind a 3- to 5 ½-inch sweep.
Keeps soil disturbance to a minimum.
Spread pattern allows more fertilizer to be placed with the seed than with narrow openers.
For use with 3- to 5-½ inch press wheels.

Seeding with Weed Control
For weed control during the seeding pass, you can seed with sweeps. Seed and fertilizer can be placed in a narrow row or broadcast, depending on your packing choice.

Spread Row Sweep

Knock-On sweeps available in 9-, 11- or 12-inch sizes for weed control.
Provides a seed row that matches the width of the press wheels used.

Sweep and Broadcast

For use with bolt-on sweeps.
Provides a uniform spread of seed and fertilizer across the width of the tool.
Recommended for full width coil packing.

InterRow™

InterRow™ shanks let you apply NH3 with 12-inch spacing boot (5000 HD only).

Bolt-on Opener

For weed control with the seeding pass, Flexi-Coil offers bolt-on opener options that deliver full width distribution.

Seed is spread evenly behind the sweep to almost the full width of the cut. Then, the soil is evenly packed with a coil packer. If fertilizer is required, it can be mixed with the seed at the air cart (single-shoot) and spread with the seed. The spread pattern allows for full rates of fertilizer in most crop situations, or fertilizer can be banded in a separate operation.

Provides a uniform spread of seed and/or fertilizer.
Choose the 7 to 8 inch spread boot for 47° shanks; choose the 9 to 10 inch spread boot for 50° shanks.
The adjustable spread boot can also be used with bolt-on openers.
Recommended for use with coil packing.

5000HD Air Drill

The 5000HD air drill delivers precision to a wide variety of seeding conditions, thanks to a flexible frame and a choice of four-bar configurations. The innovative flexibility of the 5000HD allows it to follow the land and distribute frame stress evenly for more durability than traditional welded joints. Where the frame flexes, shock-resistant self-lubricating bushings, chrome pins and polyurethane pads add lasting performance.

Multiple four-bar configurations for 7.2-, 10- or 12-inch row spacing let you match the 5000HD to your seeding style and desired field finish.

A 32-inch frame clearance lets heavy residue flow through the drill. The frame is carried by the press wheels at the rear and the casters on the front, so there are no wheels in the frame to interfere with residue flow.

Precise Seed Placement

The 5000HD air drill lets you put seed and fertilizer in the right place for faster, more even germination. Parallel linkage between the front casters and the rear press wheels keeps the frame level and maintains seeding depth in changing conditions.

Single-point depth setting provides simple control of the depth across the entire machine for exact, repeatable seed depth in every field. Flexible frame provides unmatched depth accuracy by allowing openers to follow the contours of the ground.

Spacing Configurations

Multiple four-bar spacing configurations for 7.2-, 10- or 12-inch row spacing let you match the 5000HD to your seeding style and desired field finish.

InterRow™ shanks for twelve-inch row spacings or 4- and 5-inch Stealth™ paired-row openers for narrower row spacings let you match NH₃ application to your seeding style—eliminating the cost and hassle of switching to new equipment.

Optimum flotation is provided by dual walking casters— standard on the center section of larger models and optional on wing sections.

Flexi-Coil offers a wide array of Stealth™ openers for single-shoot, doubleshoot, side-band, paired row and InterRow™ to let you place seed and fertilizer right where you choose.

Press Wheels and Shanks

The Flexi-Coil 5000HD air drill can be equipped to give you the on-row packing performance you need. By matching the press wheel to your opener style, your seed has the best chance for fast, even germination.

Steel
Steel press wheels are used in sandy and rocky conditions. A V-profile concentrates packing pressure onto a smaller area for higher pressure over the seed, and the shape of the furrow also provides protection from wind and water erosion.

4 ½-inch steel press wheels spread the packing pressure over a wider area and are ideal when spreading seed or for wide double-shoot applications. The soil profile is the flattest of the steel wheels. Due to its width, this press wheel is not available in row spacing configurations under nine inches.
3 ½-inch steel press wheels work well with openers that spread seed up to 3 ½ inches, or with narrow double-shoot openers. The soil profile is a wide V-shape. This press wheel is available in all row spacing configurations.

Rubber
In heavy, sticky soil conditions, rubber press wheels flex to shed the soil. The flatter profile rides over a wider area for less packing pressure—just right for soils where too much packing can be a problem.

5 ½-inch rubber press wheels offer on-row packing in wide seed spread applications. Due to its width, this press wheel is not available in spacing configurations less than nine inches.
4-inch rubber press wheels are effective for many applications where seed is spread up to four inches. Due to its width, this press wheel is not available in spacing configurations less than nine inches.
3-inch rubber press wheels can be used with knife openers or when spreading seed up to three inches. It also works for narrow double-shoot applications. This press wheel is available in all row spacing configurations.
5 ½- and 6 ½-inch pneumatic walking beam-style rubber tires are also available.
Choose trip assemblies to match your soil conditions. You can equip the 5000HD air drill with 350-pound trips for most conditions, or 550-pound trips for double-shoot applications and tough conditions.

5500 Air Drill

The 5500, available in 60- and 70-foot (18.3- and 21.3-m) widths, offers innovative design with superb agronomic features.

Its exceptional land following flexibility provides precise seed placement. Each wing is attached to a collective rockshaft with simple, parallel-circuit hydraulics, allowing each wing/press wheel combination to follow the ground. This minimizes stress in the framework and ensures precision seed placement.

Transport is safer, faster and less stressful, and for a smoother ride, all tires work in transport. Choose from a single-bar heavy harrow or disc leveler to customize soil closing options.

Precise Seed Placement

Depth accuracy and land following are enhanced with a patented two-piece wing. It allows the front two ranks to follow the contour of the terrain at a depth set by the nearby caster assemblies, and the rear two ranks to follow the ground on which the press wheels run.

Single-point depth setting provides simple control of the depth across the entire machine for exact, repeatable seed depth.

Spacing Configurations

"Split-row" shank pattern configurations in spacings of 7.5, 10 and 12 inches (10, 25.4 and 30.5 cm) give you a smooth field finish.

Choose from conventional C-shanks or vertical edge-on shanks using the same proven trip design. 350-pound (159-kg) trips are standard, and 550-pound (249-kg) trips are available for tough conditions and double-shoot operations.

Multiple packing choices include gang-style press wheels in semi-pneumatic, steel or walking beam pneumatic. A patented variable packing pressure system lets you adjust packing pressure from field to field.

Stealth™ openers for single-shoot, double-shoot side band and paired row let you place seed and fertilizer where you choose.

Press Wheels and Shanks

The Flexi-Coil 5500 air drill can be equipped to give you the on-row packing performance you need. By matching the press wheel to your opener style, your seed has the best chance for fast, even germination.

Steel
Steel press wheels are used in sandy and rocky conditions. A V-profile concentrates packing pressure onto a smaller area for higher pressure over the seed, and the shape of the furrow also provides protection from wind and water erosion.

4 ½-inch steel press wheels spread the packing pressure over a wider area and are ideal when spreading seed or for wide double-shoot applications. The soil profile is the flattest of the steel wheels. Due to its width, this press wheel is not available in row spacing configurations under nine inches.
3 ½-inch steel press wheels work well with openers that spread seed up to 3 ½ inches, or with narrow double-shoot openers. The soil profile is a wide V-shape. This press wheel is available in all row spacing configurations.

Rubber
In heavy, sticky soil conditions, rubber press wheels flex to shed the soil. The flatter profile rides over a wider area for less packing pressure—just right for soils where too much packing can be a problem.

5 ½-inch rubber press wheels offer on-row packing in wide seed spread applications. Due to its width, this press wheel is not available in spacing configurations less than nine inches.
4 ½-inch rubber press wheels are effective for many applications where seed is spread up to four inches. Due to its width, this press wheel is not available in spacing configurations less than nine inches.
3 ½-inch rubber press wheels can be used with knife openers or when spreading seed up to three inches. It also works for narrow double-shoot applications. This press wheel is available in all row spacing configurations.
5 ½-inch and 6 ½-inch pneumatic walking beam-style rubber tires are also available.
Choose trip assemblies to match your soil conditions. You can equip the 5500 air drill with 350-pound trips for most conditions, or 550-pound trips for double-shoot applications and tough conditions.