1356 Granular Applicator For XR8 Harrows

The 1356 granular applicator was developed by Bourgault’s sister company Salford specifically for the XR8 harrow. It is a large 130 cubic foot tank capable of holding 5 mini bulk bags of granular herbicide, which is capable of treating up to 400 acres. The tank's use is definitely not limited to granular herbicide. There are different roller options available for several seeding options as well. The metering system uses Salford’s metering roller and induction system to evenly distribute whatever product is being metered across the width of the 110' tool bar. The tank has four metering rollers, which means there are four sections that can be turned on or off to greatly reduce overlap of the product being applied. The metering system is run through ISOBUS and utilizes whatever task controller the tractor pulling the harrow is equipped with. Not only does the task controller allow for 4 section control, it also allows for variable rate application of the product being applied.

Weed resistance to herbicides is a growing concern globally. Currently there are 220 weed species globally that have evolved and developed resistance to certain herbicide groups. For this reason there has been a larger emphasis placed on herbicide rotation to help minimize the risk of developing weed resistance or managing an existing weed resistant population. Enter the 1356 granular applicator!!!

Granular herbicides went out of fashion about 20 years ago, kind of like corduroy pants. But like fashion, things seem to come back into style. Old brand named herbicides like Treflan, Edge, Avadex or Rival are now coming back into fashion to help prevent or manage resistant weed populations. The combination of the 1356 and XR8 harrow is the perfect tool to help fight weed resistance. The 1356 sectional control allows for precise placement of the product and the VR capability allows for the correct rates to be applied in different organic matter zones within the field. One thing I think the majority of farmers can agree on is straight tillage for the purpose of weed control is something they would prefer not to come back into fashion.

I would hope the days of drifting soil caused by excessive tillage are gone. Now that there are glyphosate resistant weed populations farmers are looking for alternatives to tillage to control resistant weeds. I think the 1356 applicator is one possible solution to this problem by allowing customers to utilize these “New” granular herbicide options.

After talking about the large capacity of the 1356 granular applicator tank I can see farmers scheming about how they can use it to apply fertilizer. Although the 1356 is totally capable of applying fertilizer, my advice to you is DON’T!!! We used our L7550 tank and our XR770 harrow with a distribution kit to apply 0-0-60 and 0-0-0-85 one year in the fall. After we finished applying fertilizer with the harrow, we lubricated every pin prior to winter storage. Even though I thought we did an excellent job of maintenance, the pins on the harrow arms were seized in the spring and had to be replaced. I was told by the guys in the R&D department that replaced the pins that if we decided to apply fertilizer with it again that I would be missing vital body parts! 

The 1356 and XR8 harrow is also an excellent emergency seeding tool on extremely wet years. I can remember from past experiences here is St. Brieux that in 2006, 2007 and again in 2010 we were only able to seed 25-50% of our acres due to excess rain during and after seeding in these years. We received in excess of 24 inches of rain in each of those years. In these wet years a tractor and drill weren’t able to enter a field without getting stuck. There were brief opportunities between the rains where the ground was firm enough to get out there with a harrow though. One of the best methods of establishing any crop stand during these wet years was a Valmar/ Salford applicator on a harrow bar. The majority of the canola acres successfully established in these wet year was through the use of a granular applicator and a harrow.

1356 Granular Applicator Option

• Hydraulic metering drive with ISO control,
• 4 section auto sectional control,
• Full-width variable rate application,
• 130 ft3 steel tank with full catwalk access,
• Convenient roll tarp and bin level sensors,
• Available on both 90' and 110' harrow widths.

Acheive precise application with Salford's Valmar 56 Series metering system!

This method provided some seed-to-soil contact, which was better than straight broadcast seeding. Don’t get me wrong, this is far from a perfect seeding system compared to using a drill but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. A 1356 granular applicator filled with seed and a 90-110' harrow can cover some serious ground during short windows of opportunity presented during wet seasons. Every XR8 harrow is built to accommodate a 1356 granular applicator. So even if you just get the XR8 harrow, you can always add the 1356 applicator at a later date if you run into a wet cycle and want to use it as an emergency seeding tool.

One additional use of the 1356 applicator and XR8 even during normal seeding conditions is to seed and establish forage crops. The 1356 comes with metering rollers to accommodate grass seed. With enough down force on the harrow sections you can achieve the right amount of seedto-soil contact to do an excellent job of establishing forage crops.

XR8 Series Harrows

The XR8 Series is loaded with technology to achieve a top quality field finish in an eXtended range of field conditions:

• Available in 90’ and 110’ working widths; and in either:
  • 5 row design with 5/8”x26” carbide tines to move more soil, or
  • 7 row design with 1/2”x22” MAX LIFE carbide infused tines that excels at spreading & breaking up straw,
• The booms have been upsized to 12”x12”x1/4” wall tubing,
• The hitch is longer and stronger with positive hitch weight and capability to hold up to 10,000 lb granular tank,
• Larger 500/60R22.5 radial tires for exceptional flotation,
• Solid tow arms with larger pins and spring-loaded latches, reducing the number of hydraulic circuits down to 3,
• ADF™ (ADJUSTABLE DOWNFORCE™ SYSTEM) hydraulically controlled downforce or upforce to each individual harrow section, ensuring a uniform field finish even when contouring to the extremes!

So there you have it. The 1356 granular applicator is a multiuse tool that just happens to come with an XR8 harrow. You can chose to use the 1356 as an every-year tool by applying granular herbicide to help battle herbicide resistant weeds or to seed forages. The 1356 will always be there for you as an emergency seeding tool on those wet years. Either way I hope to see everyone dressed in their “new” corduroy overalls next spring.