B In The Know

At Bourgault, we build some of the largest air carts and drills in the industry—big tanks, big fans, and big hydraulics, all designed to meet big expectations. But here’s the reality: in air seeding, size alone doesn’t guarantee performance. Optimizing for maximum capacity without considering balance can lead to inefficiencies, especially at lower, more common application rates.

Fans are the heart of any air system. Bourgault offers multiple fan options so producers can match tractor horsepower to product loads across different drill widths and speeds. This flexibility is key to building a balanced system, particularly with double- and triple-fan configurations that maintain consistent delivery to multiple locations.

However, bigger isn’t always better. Large-displacement fans are engineered for high airflow and backpressure. When they run at low speeds under light loads, they operate outside their ideal range. This may show up as slower fan response and inconsistent performance when product is turned on and off. In many cases, a properly sized smaller fan running at its optimal RPM will outperform a large fan idling far below its sweet spot.

Balanced airflow isn’t just about the fan, it’s about the entire air kit. Two fundamentals govern how granular product moves through hoses:

1. Minimum Air Velocity
   Even light-rate crops like canola need enough velocity to lift product into the airstream rather than letting it roll along the bottom. That’s why Bourgault fan charts specify minimum RPM for rates below 50 lb/ac.
2. Air Mass
   Once minimum velocity is achieved, you can add product until the ratio of product mass to air mass reaches its limit—beyond that, flow stops. Fan charts link RPM to airflow (CFM), defining how much product the system can carry.

Bourgault’s Class A system meters product into a primary line, splits it into secondary lines, and divides it again through tertiary hoses to each opener. For smooth operation at any rate, all three stages must be correctly matched.

• Primary Lines: Available in 5”, 6”, and 7” diameters. Larger primaries allow more air mass for high-rate applications.
• Secondary Lines: Size remains constant, but the number of lines (4, 5, 6, 8, or 10) is chosen to match the primary.
• Tertiary Hoses: The final balancing act. Velocity must stay in the sweet spot—not so slow that hoses plug, not so fast that product blows out of the furrow. Hose diameter is adjusted based on opener count and airfl ow. For example, a 7” primary on a smaller drill with fewer tertiary lines requires larger hoses. On wider drills, the same 7” primary can use smaller hoses without overshooting velocity.

In a 2021 edition of The Cutting Edge, we showed how a 50’ drill optimized with 1” tertiary hoses compared to a 76’ drill using 7/8”. Today, with 80’ and 100’ platforms still running 7” primaries, 7/8” tertiary hoses are increasingly preferred to maintain proper air velocity and maximize capacity.

Building a successful air system isn’t about choosing the biggest components—it’s about choosing the right ones. A well-balanced air kit ensures accurate delivery, consistent distribution, and effi cient performance at the rates you actually run. Because when it comes to placing the right product in the right place at the right rate, precision always beats size.

When it comes to heavy-duty residue management, the XR8 Harrow sets the standard:

• Massive Working Widths: Available in 90’ and 110’, the XR8 is the largest 7-bar harrow on the market.
• Heavy-Duty Frame: Built with 12” x 12” x ¼” wall tubing, delivering a 70% strength increase over previous models.
• Reinforced Hitch: Engineered to handle the weight of a 130 ft³ steel granular tank with confidence.
• High-Capacity Hydraulics: Larger hydraulic lines and simplified circuits for faster response and smoother operation.
• Premium Tires: Designed for durability and stability under rough field conditions.

The XR8 delivers advanced control for superior field performance:

• Patented Adjustable DownForce™ (ADF) System: Full in-cab control of downforce and upforce for a uniform finish.
• Upforce Mode: Lighten sections instantly in heavy residue or pulse crops—acting like a light harrow when needed.
• Float at Headlands: Prevent over-harrowing and straw bunching with one-touch float control.
• Independent Section Travel: Each section offers 26” of vertical movement and features a parallel arm design for smooth, consistent operation across uneven terrain.

PAIR IT WITH THE 1356 GRANULAR APPLICATOR

Take your harrow to the next level with precision application:

• 130 ft³ Steel Tank: High-capacity design for extended runs without frequent refills.
• Precision Application: Seamlessly integrates with XR8 for uniform distribution across the entire working width.
• Trusted Metering: Equipped with Salford’s Valmar 56 Series metering system, delivering proven accuracy and reliability for granular fertilizer and soil amendments.

BIG WIDTHS FOR BIG ACRES

The Bourgault 9500 delivers unmatched productivity with working widths up to 70 feet designed for today’s high-horsepower tractors and large-scale operations.

WHY MATCHING COMPONENTS MATTERS

• Heavy-Duty Frame: Engineered for durability and stability, even when pulling an air cart or anhydrous tank.
• Trip Options: Choose from 500 lb or 600 lb spring trips for rugged performance in demanding soils.
• Excellent Residue Clearance: Handles heavy trash while maintaining consistent depth and contouring.

HYDRAULIC TRIP: THE ULTIMATE ADVANTAGE

• Adjustable Trip Force: Set trip force up to 1,000 lb to match field conditions—ideal for rocky fields, hard dry soils, and higher-speed tillage.
• Smooth Action: Hydraulic cylinders provide consistent resistance and soft re-entry, reducing recoil compared to spring trips.
• Reduced Wear: Minimizes “chatter” and fatigue failures common with spring designs, protecting shanks and frames.
• Extra Clearance: Retracted hydraulic trips offer additional clearance for safety under obstructions.