Seeding success: first ever Flexi-Coil 7200 in Australia helps crops take off

South Australian grower Tim Dixon has completed his first season with the new Flexi-Coil 7200 Precision Hoe Drill. Operating in Nantawarra, Tim seeded his entire cropping program with the 80-foot unit and says the machine has transformed his seeding operation.

“It’s just totally different,” Tim said. “You could tell straight away it had been done properly and well. The germination was just so good with this one because the presser was straight on it. It looks ten times better than last year.”

Running 2,600 hectares of wheat, barley and lentils—about 850 hectares of each—Tim said the 7200 delivered consistent seed placement across his undulated terrain.

“We’ve got pretty hilly country here, but the 7200 goes dead straight,” he said.

“Seed placement was excellent, not too deep, not too shallow. It’s all down to the press wheel, and it went great. I’m super happy with how our crops have sown.”

The machine’s precision features have also helped streamline operations.

“It’s a big machine at 80-foot wide, and it’s been very efficient,” Tim said. “We had Autosteer and Autoturn, Section Control, Curve Compensation and Auto Shut-off. We had no trouble with it at all—it all went fine.

“Next year we’re going to go variable rate, and that’s where the savings will really start showing.”

Delivered in May through Vater Machinery in Kadina, the Flexi-Coil 7200 was used across the entire seeding program. As the first 80-foot unit built, Tim said the dealership played a key role in getting the machine running smoothly.

“Vaters have been a big help getting it going for its first season,” he said.

Roger Vater, Dealer Principal at Vater machinery said that they were pleased with the Flexi-Coil’s exceptional performance.

"The crop emergence has been outstanding, and the row spacing is on-point. We're very happy with how this drill has performed, and even more thrilled to have exceeded Tim’s expectations," Roger said.

Developed in collaboration between CNH’s Canadian engineering team and Australian product specialists, the Flexi-Coil 7200 introduces a new row unit design with strengthened pivots, improved bushings and a refined parallelogram system. The short opener-to-press wheel distance supports precise fertiliser placement and enhances weed management by reducing nutrient competition.

“Having the seed in the right spot with the chemicals we use nowadays — it’s just got to be right,” Tim said.

Tim runs a New Holland machinery fleet, including a CR9.90 header, T8.410 and T8030 tractors. “I’ve always been New Holland since 1990; have always stayed yellow and blue.”

Interest in the Flexi-Coil machine has been strong, with farmer groups already visiting Tim’s property to see the 7200 in action.

“I’ve had a lot of people coming to have a look. I’ve actually got a farmer group coming to have a look at it this week. I’ve already had another group come to look at it, so it’s creating a bit of interest,” Tim said.

With fungicide spraying about to begin and harvest preparations underway, Tim said the 7200 has helped set the season up for success.