New quad potato planter by Standen-Pearson

The success of Standen-Pearson ‘QUAD’ potato planters for the establishment of salad crops is well recognised around the world. As year on year demand continues to increase, a new 3-bed model with up to 25 acres/day planting capacity has been introduced to meet grower demand for high output precision multi-bed planting.

The new SP644-RT model is a tractor trailed machine for planting 3-beds of potatoes in QUAD formation;4-rows in each bed, totalling 12-rows with seeds spaced in a ‘diamond’ pattern to produce tubers to a very tight specification for the salads market.

Based on a new strong tubular chassis, the SP644-RT introduces an updated seed hopper design to this and all Standen-Pearson multi-bed planters, with a hydraulic ‘tipping’ hopper to facilitate gentler seed loading, as the hopper is lowered to reduce the filling drop. Gentle planting is a major feature of all Standen-Pearson planters with a moving hopper floor presenting a controlled level of seeds to the cups to minimise seed chit damage.

Precision planting depth control is automatically controlled on the complete machine, and also on each bed individually. Stainless steel is used extensively;for the openers, side shields and bed forming hoods. The forming hoods lift automatically at the end of each row, with proximity sensors controlling their lift height in relation to the hopper position.

Hopper capacity is around 4-tonnes, and 4-wheel steering is standard equipment along with Placement Cups and the SPACE SELECTOR system which provides many features including selectable seed spacing and population adjustment on the move.

An optional purpose-built trailer is offered for road transport, developed to minimise turnaround time, allowing the planter to be road ready in less than 10 minutes. The low-level trailer is fitted with loading ramps and its design means the machine is securely positioned without the need for strapping down.

Standen-Pearson potato planters are produced by Standen Engineering Ltd at Ely;up to 80% of components for these machines are manufactured at the company. The new SP644-RT is priced at £77,000.00 and can be ordered now for the 2013 planting season.