Super Centauro – the two-in-one tiller & driller

Oct 11, 2022    Posted by Brittany Cunningham

Soil preparation and seeding in one pass, two operations at once? In a major development for cropping, pasture and poppy farmers, Maschio Gaspardo has launched the Centauro, a pneumatic seed drill combined with a seeding bar, power harrow and choice of a front hopper.

This machine is where Maschio’s analysis of customer need meets innovative design; the Centauro is a high-performance product that has undergone rigorous testing in the field, not to mention practical application in overseas markets, and is now available in Australia. It will give local farmers and contractors a remarkable advantage. The ability to prepare the soil and seed in a single pass enables time and input cost savings unimaginable in the past.

“It’s a combination of three products that combine to make the overall Centauro unit,” says Tom Wilkinson, PFG Australia’s cultivation expert. “It’s offered in combination with the Aquila power harrow. You need a good frame of tractor to carry the implement – a minimum of 250 horsepower. The concept of combining tillage and sowing is not a new one; it is a proven system both here and overseas.

“The PA2 SF hopper is a new concept. The ability to distribute both seed and fertiliser is Maschio’s edge.”

Tom Wilkinson

“The main advantage of combining tillage and sowing is the efficiency of doing fewer passes. That translates to saving time and reducing input costs. It also reduces the amount of machinery a farmer or contractor has to own. Instead of owning a power harrow and a separate seed drill, it combines it into one unit. It saves on labour for the owner and contractor costs.”

Maschio Gaspardo is offering two kinds of front hopper. The PA1 has a capacity of 1100 litres with one electrically operated distributor and ISOBUS communication, while the PA2 SF holds 2000 litres (1200 litres seed plus 800 litres fertiliser – a 60/40 split) and features two independent dosers with electric transmission and two tractor-dependent blowers. Both hoppers have a sloping, rounded design for uninterrupted operator visibility.

The PA2 SF hopper is a new concept,” says Wilkinson. “The ability to distribute both seed and fertiliser is Maschio’s edge As far as the choice of hopper is concerned, it all depends on the customer’s requirements. We’ll be offering the PA1 hopper, which is single product, either seed or fertiliser, and the PA2 SF hopper, which allows the operator to do a seed and fertiliser combination, or seed and seed for a twin-seed blend.”

Each hopper compartment and doser features its own blower, which allows high volume dosing also with high working speed; and independent air calibration depending on the product weight. In the field, the rear-mounted Aquila power harrow and the front-mounted hopper, twinned with ISOBUS technology, markedly reduce transport footprint saving time and money.

Traction and stability

The Centauro boasts a generous load capacity and exceptional stability. As current users have noted, its weight distribution provides a distinct edge in terms of traction, allowing the machine to be operated in undulating topography. It’s also an advantage in terms of reducing soil compaction and improving manoeuvrability.

“The balance of the weight across the tractor is useful in hilly conditions,” notes Wilkinson, “as some of the weight is taken off the rear linkage and put at the front. The other feature worth noting is the design of the hopper. It slopes down and away, hence it doesn’t obscure the operator’s view, whereas many other bins do.”

Hopper provides versatility

The PA1 and PA2 SF front hoppers open the possibility for multiple uses. Not only can they be employed to distribute seed or fertiliser, but the same equipment can be used in combination with other Maschio Gaspardo equipment, such as precision seed drills or cultivators.

The Centauro is ideal for larger-scale farmers and contractors. The main uses in Australia are pasture seeding and hay and silage production, so it will appeal to dairy producers. Plus, there are specialised crops like poppy production where it has already been successfully trialled.

ISOTRONIC transmission

The ISOTRONIC electric transmission with ISOBUS communication protocol enables full digital control of the machine in order to take advantage of all precision farming functions.

“The Centauro is ISOBUS ready,” says Wilkinson. “If customers have task controller enabled on their tractor, the precision farming element of ISOBUS, it opens the possibility for variable rate fertilising, which is a cost saver. In addition, using section control ensures you’re not over-sowing areas. If a customer’s tractor is not ISOBUS ready, we can provide Trimble options.”

Pneumatic seed distribution

The volumetric distributor and pneumatic conveying system ensure precise and uniform seeding, delivered to the ground via double disc row units. If the operator so chooses, different seed types may be sown by varying the

type of metering rollers. The dispenser is driven directly by the electric motor, with metering managed via ISOBUS from the control terminal in the tractor cab.

“We’re all so aware of rising fuel prices and other costs,” says Wilkinson, “but the Centauro also boosts efficiency because of the accuracy of the metering of fertiliser. Farmers and contractors are moving to better quality fertiliser and putting it out at a lower rate.”

Agricultural benefits

• Exceptional seedbed preparation
• Ideal refinement for rapid growth
• Maintenance of moisture for increased germination
• Reduction of soil compaction
• Faster weed control
• Mechanical weeding combined with seeding

Economic benefits

• Multi-purpose machine
• Boost in work efficiency
• Labour saving via reduced operating times and costs
• Reduction of machine inventory
• Rapid deployment in the event of imminent weather events

“The feedback we’ve received from product trials in Australia has been excellent,” says Wilkinson. “We’ve done some trials for the Tasmanian poppy industry and the calibration tests were regarded as spot on. The style of the Maschio press wheel was also noted. It’s about 50mm wide, with rounded edges and a flat top, whereas the competition press wheels are 30mm wide and rounded.”

For more information on the Centauro call 1800 335 623 or visit Centauro Power Harrow and Seeder.