With the final fields harvested, attention turns to autumn tillage and post-harvest seed drilling. Unpredictable weather, varying soil types, and differences in field topography can all present challenges, making the efficiency and reliability of drilling machinery more important than ever.

RDS MME’s Artemis Lite provides a practical, cost-effective solution for improving control and accuracy during the seed drilling process, helping operators achieve consistent application rates while making the most of the autumn drilling window.

Key Takeaways

• The Artemis Lite provides accurate seed drilling control for pneumatic cereal drills with a single Accord-type metering unit.
• Its electric drive system replaces the traditional land wheel, helping to prevent seeding errors caused by wheel slippage.
• Operators can control application rates and key drill functions directly from the tractor cab.
• The system offers a cost-effective alternative to more complex precision farming and ISOBUS solutions.

Seed Drilling with the Artemis Lite

The seed drilling process ensures that the seeds are planted at the right depth and spacing, allowing for uniform crop growth. For autumn-sown cereals, drilling occurs from late September to early November.

The steps involved are straightforward but crucial for maximising yield and efficiency: from field preparation, drill calibration, and drilling, through to covering, pressing and subsequent management.

Artemis Lite provides you with intelligent and accurate seed drilling, without the huge cost. A quick and easy installation process also helps to keep technical downtime to a minimum.

How does the Artemis Lite work?

The Artemis Lite is a low-cost solution to variable rate control on pneumatic seed drills, replacing the land wheel with an electric drive. It has been designed specifically for drills with a single Accord-type metering unit.

It replaces the mechanical drive system on a pneumatic cereal drill by using an accurate GPS speed sensor, processing electronics and an electric motor/gearbox.  This provides a variable rate controller that eliminates seeding errors caused by slippage between the ground wheel and the land. Manual adjustment is also at hand when application rates need changing on the go.

With the ability to control everything from the cab, this product will make your seed drilling process as easy and efficient as possible, and for a small investment.

The key features of the Artemis Lite include:

• Ability to change rate from the tractor cab.
• Ability to prime the mechanism by turning the seed shaft whilst stationary.
• Quick & easy to calibrate.
• No seeding errors due to slippage between the land wheel and the ground.
• Less mechanically complex than traditional systems.
• Requires no expensive ISOBUS terminal.
• Self-explanatory and easy to use.
• Simple manual variable rate control.
• Low cost.
• Includes all the traditional drill functions: forward speed, tramline control, area totals, and low seed level alarm.

For those requiring a precision farming interface to provide variable rates, an update option is available.

This provides a serial connection to a third-party controller (like a SOYL iPad, Topcon X-console, JD Greenstar, Trimble screen, etc). The communication protocol is LH5000 (same as JD Greenstar in a PSi) and, once connected, will apply the rate sent by the controller.

Artemis Lite: FAQs

What type of drill is the Artemis Lite designed for?

The Artemis Lite control box is designed for drills with a single pneumatic Accord-type metering unit. This typically includes close-coupled, 3-point linkage-mounted drills.

How does the Artemis Lite operate?

The Artemis Lite replaces the mechanical drive system with an electric motor/gearbox, GPS speed sensor, and processing electronics.

How does the Artemis Lite help reduce seeding errors?

By eliminating reliance on a mechanical land wheel, the Artemis Lite prevents seeding errors caused by slippage between the land wheel and the ground.

What is the pre-start facility?

The pre-start facility enables the operator to prime the seed mechanism before drilling. The operator presses the Pre-Start button, waits a few seconds, and then pulls away.

How is calibration carried out?

Calibration is fast and straightforward. The operator presses the Drill Priming button, distributes the product into a container, weighs it, and inputs the information into the instrument.

Can the application rate be adjusted during drilling?

Yes. Manual adjustment buttons allow for calibration on the move when application rates need to be adjusted.

Can the Artemis Lite be controlled from the tractor cab?

Yes. The Artemis Lite allows the operator to control everything from the tractor cab.

What traditional drill functions are included?

The Artemis Lite includes traditional drill functions such as:

• Forward speed
• Symmetric and asymmetric tramline control
• Two area totals
• Low seed level alarm
• Fan tachometer

Does the Artemis Lite support precision farming?

Yes, an upgrade option is available that allows for a serial connection to a third-party controller, providing an application rate.

Which third-party controllers can be connected?

The Artemis Lite can be connected to third-party controllers such as SOYL iPad, Topcon X-Console, John Deere GreenStar, and Trimble screens.

Does the Artemis Lite require an expensive terminal?

No. The Artemis Lite does not require an expensive ISOBUS terminal.

You can contact the RDS MME team by calling 01249 479356 or sending a message to sales@rdsmme.co.uk.