PLDX™ (ParaLink Dual Xtreme™)

WHY PLDS HAS BEEN A STRONG PERFORMER

Launched in 2020, the PLDS (ParaLink Dual Shank™) opener gave farmers a new level of control over seed and fertilizer placement. It combined Bourgault’s proven ParaLink™ depth control with a true dual-knife design, allowing precise adjustments for different fertility programs and soil conditions. The ParaLink™ system ensures consistent opener geometry as the drill follows ground contours, maintaining accurate placement even in rough terrain.

What makes PLDS stand out in the marketplace is its adjustability. Operators can fine-tune both horizontal and vertical separation between seed and fertilizer knives, a critical feature for one-pass systems running high nitrogen rates. By increasing the spread, growers reduce the risk of nitrogen toxicity and improve emergence, especially in sensitive crops like canola.

From an agronomic perspective, PLDS delivers:

• Seed safety under high-N programs through adjustable knife spacing.
• Better furrow development compared to competitive dual-shank systems.
• Flexibility for multiple fertility strategies, including side-band and triple-shoot setups when paired with Bourgault’s Mid Row Banders (MRB^®). This combination virtually eliminates seed damage from toxic fertilizer.

In short, PLDS quickly became a trusted choice for farmers who need precision, durability, and adaptability in their seeding systems.

INTRODUCING PLDX: THE WORLD’S FIRST 1:1 DUAL KNIFE OPENER

Even though PLDS has performed very well, Bourgault is always looking for ways to improve seeding performance. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the PLDX—the world’s first 1:1 Dual Knife Opener.

The biggest driver behind this improvement is depth control. Back in 2012, we launched the XTC opener for more accurate seed placement in extreme contours such as drainage runs, sharp hills, rough terrain. The PLDX brings that same principle to dual shank openers. Compared to the 2:1 PLDS and all other dual shank openers, the 1:1 PLDX maintains seed depth far better in severe contours, washouts, ruts, and rolling terrain. Even in relatively flat fields, tire tracks, old fencerows, and wet-year ruts make depth control critical.

And here’s something important: the PLDX doesn’t just improve depth control, it keeps the same adjustability farmers appreciate in the PLDS. You can still fine tune both horizontal and vertical separation between the seed and fertilizer knives, giving you flexibility to match your fertility program and protect seed safety under high-N conditions. This means you get the best of both worlds: superior depth consistency in tough terrain and the ability to customize knife spacing for agronomic performance.

"You get the best of both worlds: superior depth consistency in tough terrain and the ability to customize knife spacing for agronomic performance."

DEPTH CONTROL: HOW PLDX CHANGES THE GAME

With PLDS, depth control happens at each opener under the drill. On a fixed frame, adjustments are manual, meaning you physically change each opener’s position. If you have QDA (Quick Depth Adjust) or AccuSet, the process is easier because you can insert shims on the frame running gear to change depth without tools. The deeper you set the opener, the greater the vertical spread between the fertilizer and seed knives. That extra separation can be a real advantage in dry conditions because it keeps fertilizer farther from the seed, reducing the risk of toxicity while still placing nutrients where roots can reach them. Horizontal adjustments are also possible at each opener, giving you flexibility to fine-tune seed safety and fertilizer placement.

PLDX introduces a new approach to depth control by setting adjustments at the packer wheel, which governs both seed and fertilizer knife positions. Coarse adjustments are simple—about ¼ inch per hole—and the key advantage is that these changes do not affect vertical separation between the knives. This means you can fi ne-tune seed depth without altering seed-tofertilizer spacing, ensuring precise soil coverage and consistent seed placement across varying conditions without compromising fertilizer safety. Achieve precise control of the amount of soil over the seed.

Add QDA, and you can fine-tune depth in minutes with no crawling under the drill. QDA on PLDX works by slightly tilting the dual knife assembly, which adjusts the seed to-fertilizer vertical separation. This is especially useful for adapting to seasonal conditions: tilt for more separation in dry years, less in wet years. And if you want the ultimate convenience, order Accuset. With Accuset, you make all these adjustments from the tractor cab, saving time and giving more flexibility to change on the go.

"Achieve precise control of the amount of soil over the seed."

FIELD-TESTED PERFORMANCE: WHAT FARMERS ARE SAYING

Ken Sarauer, a PLDX cooperator from Anaheim, SK, reported excellent results after two seasons of testing and shared his experience on the Equipped Agronomy podcast. He noted that the opener followed the ground better and provided improved contouring in washouts and dips. Ken also emphasized the convenience and precision of depth adjustments, saying the biggest benefit was the ease of changing depth and that he used QDA frequently.

OTHER PLDX ADVANTAGES

• Because we redesigned this opener from the ground up, we added several improvements:
• Wider swing link pivot for better wear characteristics.
• Increased clearance between knives to reduce plugging in muddy conditions.
• Optimized geometry for better stone clearance and less stone pulling.
• Offset seed opener design for easier seed hose routing.
• Larger pivot pins for durability and longer service life.
• Only one grease point, at the packer wheel hub.

WHY PLDX SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT OPENER?

If your fertility program calls for a dual knife opener and you want exceptional depth control in challenging terrain, the choice is clear: PLDX delivers what others can’t. It’s the first dual-knife opener to combine Bourgault’s proven ParaLink™ technology with a true 1:1 ratio for depth control, meaning your seed placement stays consistent—even in severe contours, ruts, and rolling ground.

With PLDX, you get more than just precision. You get flexibility to adapt to changing conditions without sacrifi cing seed safety or fertilizer efficiency. Whether you’re running high-N programs in dry years or looking for tighter separation in wet seasons, PLDX makes adjustments simple— on the packer wheel, with QDA, or right from the cab using Accuset.

And because we built PLDX from the ground up, it’s packed with durability upgrades: wider pivots, optimized geometry for stone clearance, and only one grease point for easier maintenance. This isn’t just an incremental improvement—it’s a complete rethink of what a dual knife opener can do.

Ready to see it for yourself? Visit us at one of the upcoming farm shows in 2026. Talk to our team, check out the design, and see why PLDX is the next step in seeding performance.