The Ultima 800 is the logical further development of the tried and tested Ultima series from Köckerling. The unique functional principle of the leading sensing roller and the following sowing tine has made this machine so successful. The precise maintenance of the placement depth, even under the most difficult conditions (dryness / wetness / large straw residues), is unsurpassed. However, seed drills with large working widths often have problems with the high machine weight (large seed hoppers, heavy frames) and maintaining the exact placement depth. This is not the case with the Ultima 800. The entire machine weight is distributed over the front large carrying handles, the individual sensing rollers of the sowing units and on the rear packer roller.
The soil in front of the seed coulter is first packed, then the coulter opens the seed slot by clearing away straw and dropping the seed onto water-bearing soil. Subsequent leaf spring levellers level the soil again before the STS packer roller performs the final reconsolidation.
The seed is placed in bands of 6 cm width each. The distance from band centre to band centre is approx. 18.5 cm. This improves the distribution of the plant stand and provides an optimum supply of nutrients and reduces disease infestation. The robust tines as the sowing unit, with a coulter load of more than 230 kg, optimally maintain the preset depth. This is important for shallow sowing such as rape or deep sowing such as field beans and peas.
The single-acting hydraulic cylinders of the sowing units are used to adjust the working depth and at the same time act as shock absorbers in the event of stones and large irregularities in the field. They also prevent vibrations from being transmitted to the machine frame. This keeps the machine smooth, even at high working speeds of 15 - 20 km/h.
Figure 1: Setting for flat sowing in flat working position (cylinder retracted)
A leading support roller scans the contour of the soil. The following seed tine follows the support roller and precisely maintains the set placement depth. Changes to the placement depth can be adjusted hydraulically from the tractor. All sowing elements are connected to each other via hydraulic lines. In the event of obstacles, such as large stones, the tines can swerve without being damaged.
The Ultima is equipped with the 60 mm coulter as standard. As an option, there is the TC coulter with the corresponding tine. The TC coulter is only 15 mm wide and reinforced with tungsten carbide at the tip. It is ideal for direct seeding, as little soil is moved during work. This leaves a protective layer of plant residues from the previous crop on the surface. Under these conditions, drying out of the soil is delayed and erosion by wind and water is reduced.
Whether on the plough furrow or in mulch sowing, targeted reconsolidation is crucial for rapid and even seed emergence. The depth control roller presses before the seed coulter, followed by the leaf spring levellers for levelling and the STS roller for further reconsolidation. The STS roller is designed so, that a ring runs over each seed band. This ensures that only the seed band is packed, so that the surface is not completely sealed (risk of silting).
The large seed tank is carried on a seed wagon between the tractor and the machine. With a tank capacity of 4,000 l, the Ultima 800 is extremely powerful. To ensure that the seed can be spread precisely, the Ultima 800 is equipped with two metering units that are easily accessible under the seed hopper. With the hydraulic drive of the metering units, it is also possible to switch over and under quantities.
Whether on the plough furrow, for mulch seeding or direct seeding, the machine weight is always carried evenly by the leading rollers and the following STS packer roller. The large-dimensioned undercarriage tyres are retracted during work. Universal seed drills with a large tank capacity have a large dead weight. Sinking on sandy soils or in wet conditions is a constant danger. With the Ultima, the machine weight is carried on the many leading rollers and the STS roller, and not loaded onto a central packer roller. The rolling resistance is correspondingly lower.
To prevent too much seed being sown twice in the event of overlaps, e.g. due to certain tramline rhythms or at the end of the field, the Ultima can be equipped with half-side shut-off. In this case, the outlets of the distributor head are fitted with adjusting flaps, which can then be closed at the push of a button, if required. The seed rate is adjusted accordingly.
To ensure that the machine always works on track even on sloping terrain, the use of a hillside disc is recommended. The disc has a diameter of 700 mm and is mounted centrally next to the transport chassis. A spring-loaded suspension on the hillside disc ensures operational safety, even when you work with the machine on stony terrain.
