Case IH’s new Precision Disk 550 series air drill brings higher tank capacity and increased versatility in the field.

“We continue to hear from growers — they need added capacity to get more seeding done in a day,” said Trent Nowosad, Case IH marketing manager for seeding equipment. “Case IH engineered the Precision Disk 550 air drill to meet this demand, with agronomically designed features to boost producers’ bottom lines.” 

The air drill’s parallel-link row unit is designed for consistent coulter-depth and accurate seed placement. Whether farming conventional or no-till, the Precision Disk is designed to match field conditions. The new closing system has indexable angle adjustments from 0° to 13° for seed trench closing, and a range of gauge wheel widths and styles are available for different field and crop conditions. 

“Trench closer is probably the only Achilles heel of a single-disc air drill, and the fact that certain soil types and certain conditions like no-till can sometimes cause issues with closing that trench,” says Nowosad. “So we built this in as a standard feature on all five 50 Series drills.”

Photo credit: Natalina Sents Bausch

Variable down-pressure springs hold each row unit in contact with the ground, while a forward-facing seed tube helps minimize seed bounce. Operators can adjust to changing field conditions from the cab with standard hydraulic down-pressure control. Auto-calibration check software verifies settings by using scale feedback for accurate results and to increase efficiency. A stationary calibration package comes standard with the air drill, allowing owners to perform checks without needing to operate the unit in-field. 

The tank capacity has been increased by 40 bushels for each of the two units from Case IH’s previous 500 Series, bringing capacity to 110 bushels for the 30-foot model and 140 bushels for the 40-foot model.

Photo credit: Natalina Sents Bausch

The bigger tank is no problem in the field — high-flotation tire options support increased weight to reduce soil compaction. An in-tank camera helps monitor tank fill and a rear-view camera helps operators safely transport.

Photo credit: Natalina Sents Bausch

Increased capacity allowed for other design changes to the Precision Disk 550’s tank. The bottom end of the tank has been simplified and opened up to help reduce maintenance and upkeep with better access to metering components and cleanout components. The lid on the tank slides away on a track to be more accessible and secure, keeping it protected from wind damage. For the meters, a standard seed meter rain shield helps minimize contact with dust and debris. 

The air drill also comes built with chrome pins and heavy-duty scraper springs for a longer wear life. The disk blades have been engineered for durability to withstand tough conditions and cut cleanly through heavy crop residue. To help reduce plugging in muddy conditions, gauge wheel options are now available with open-spoke design — a 4.5-inch option is suited for conventional tillage, while a 3-inch option is built for tougher, no-till conditions.

The Precision Disk 550 series will be available to order in mid-February 2022 for the spring 2023 seeding season; pricing varies by model. For more information, contact your local dealer or visit caseih.com. 

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