Bourgault Australia’s mission is simple – helping farmers optimise their seeding and achieve maximum results
Bourgault knows that Australian broadacre growers require large equipment which can handle the nation’s tough conditions, which is why its product range does exactly that.
Two of its biggest assets are the 9000 Series Air Carts and 4420 Deep Knife Drill, both of which are ideally suited to Australian needs.
Bourgault’s air cart range, for example, includes the attention-grabbing 91300 model that boasts an unprecedented 45,810L of capacity across its four tanks.
The 4420 DKD is the most recent addition to Bourgault’s local range and also breaks new ground – both metaphorically and literally thanks to being optimised to work at depths up to 16.5cm below the surface.
While Bourgault is a Canadian manufacturer, it is also well entrenched in the Australian market.
Bourgault Australia was established in the late 1990s and this foothold in this country has been amplified by considerable local testing on its products to ensure they will excel Down Under.
Australia is not simply one of many global markets where Bourgault places its products.
The company’s commitment to helping Australian farmers is best shown through the 4420 DKD – a product which was purpose-built for local needs.
Optimising efficiency
Overall machine size is a major consideration for farmers at seeding time, Bourgault says, with the need to get the job done as quickly as possible and without unnecessary ‘dead’ time spent refilling the cart.
Bourgault’s 9000 Series Air Carts clearly meet this criteria, with even the smallest model in the range (the 9650) offering a noteworthy 22,900L capacity.
For the largest of growers, many of whom are running two shifts a day, Bourgault says the largest air carts have been a popular choice.
The shift structure often dictates the capacity purchased, as growers do not want to stop halfway or three-quarters into a shift for refilling.
While the size and capacity alone allow for considerable acreage to be covered in one fill, Bourgault’s carts are packed with technology to further maximise efficiency.
Automated section control is becoming a popular feature with customers, Bourgault says, as it provides independent control of seed and fertiliser distribution to ensure the optimal amount.
Another unique feature offered by Bourgault’s air carts is the DynaCal live rate monitoring system.
This means the machine will monitor the rate in real time and alert the machine driver of discrepancies during sowing, and DynaCal works in tandem with weigh scales, which are offered as standard on the 9000 Series.
Bourgault says customers with the DynaCal feature are noticing the system will detect very small changes in rate across a tank fill, which is ultimately detecting a change in seed and fertiliser density.
This is helping to bring application rates to within one per cent accuracy across the seeding process, rather than seven or eight per cent which is common without DynaCal.
Each tank has its own individual weigh scales to help farmers know exactly how much product is being distributed and to ensure complete accuracy and precision.
Bourgault’s 9000 Series is also compatible with Topcon’s X40 Apollo system, which provides all of the critical seeding information in an intuitive panel and gives farmers total control over their job.
Built for strength and durability, there is also a large range of tyre options to help reduce soil compaction and minimise the air cart’s impact on the ground.
Cutting deep
Bourgault’s air carts work in sync with the new 4420 DKD, giving farmers the ultimate machinery combination for their seeding needs.
One of the DKD’s best assets lies in its name – deep knife drill – with it being optimised for digging depths of between 12cm and 16.5cm below the surface.
This new style seeder bar has a deep-ripping front fertiliser knife, a new opener and a seed knife.
The seed knife follows behind on a parallel arm to give accurate seed placement and depth setting.
The unit can also carry up to 5,400L of liquid on board, helping to reduce filling time.
Bourgault’s 4420 DKD also offers a heavy-duty forward shank with on-the-go adjustable hydraulic breakout between 68kg and 450kg, plus a 16mm wide knife point.
Other features of the drill include a ground-following 1:1 contour ratio, easy packing pressure adjustment with a cordless impact driver, easy depth adjustment with a simple handle and pin, a floating hitch to ensure optimal depth control and superior tracking, plus large tyres and a steerable front axle.
Available in 12m and 18m working widths, it is a unit big enough to be paired with Bourgault’s largest air cart, yet can also fold away to just 5.5m – or 5.35m without coulters – to ensure easy transport between where it is needed.
Local footprint
Bourgault has identified both sides of Australia as being important markets for its products.
Bourgault moved to a new facility in the Perth suburb of Kelmscott five years ago to keep up with demand in Western Australia.
There is also a significant spare parts building, workshop and office in the New South Wales border town of Albury.
This provides Bourgault Australia with key distribution hubs, along with staff, to customers in both the east and west.
With full distribution centres on both sides of Australia, Bourgault is well equipped to quickly provide machinery, parts and support to customers no matter where they are.
Combined with machinery designed for the heavy-duty needs of Australia, Bourgault says customers can be confident their seeding season will be a success.
Bourgault Australia’s full range is available online at www.bourgault.com/en-au