Novel seeder demonstrated at DLG Feldtage
Visitors to this week’s DLG Feldtage event in Bernburg, Germany had the opportunity to see the new SHIFT seeding system from German manufacturer 4Disc operating in field conditions.
Designed for direct drilling, mulch seeding and regenerative farming systems, the SHIFT introduces a different approach to seed placement. Rather than using conventional coulters to create a seed slot, the machine employs a horizontally rotating sowing disc that works beneath crop residues, places the seed and covers it in a single pass.
According to 4Disc, the system enables precise shallow sowing while maintaining seed-to-soil contact and moisture availability. The company says this approach can improve emergence consistency, particularly where surface residues and dry conditions present challenges for traditional drills.
At Bernburg, visitors were able to observe the machine working in residue-rich conditions, demonstrating its ability to separate organic material from the seed zone while placing seed directly onto the moisture-conducting soil layer.
The SHIFT range is available in 3m, 4m and 6m working widths, with operating depths from 1cm to 6cm. Individual sowing units are mounted on parallelogram linkages and supported by the company’s DeepSync Control depth management system.
Additional features include Dynamic Weight Transfer technology, which transfers weight from the tractor to the drill to maintain consistent penetration across varying soil conditions.
4Disc says the machine is suitable for a wide range of crops and establishment systems, including direct drilling, mulch seeding and undersowing. The company also highlights the ability to combine sowing with mechanical weed control operations.
The machine attracted considerable interest during the field demonstrations, reflecting growing demand for establishment equipment capable of operating effectively within reduced tillage and conservation agriculture systems.
Related news: