LEMKEN takes mechanical seed drill technology to the next level

The new Saphir XMR sets new standards

With the new Saphir XMR mechanical seed drill, LEMKEN is introducing the successor to the proven Saphir 10. The new seed drill builds on the strengths of the previous series while setting new standards for precision, ease of use, and area coverage. It was developed for farms that want to sow reliably, accurately, and efficiently – even under tight time pressure.

At the heart of the Saphir XMR is the metering system, developed from the ground up. It delivers precise seed metering and is built for ease of use. The metering wheels can be removed individually without tools, making it just as easy to switch between different seed types as it is to clean and maintain the machine. Different seed wheels ensure that both fine and larger seeds are sown precisely and evenly. As standard, the system includes a double-sided electric drive with half-width section switch. By reducing overlap at headlands or on irregularly shaped fields, this helps save seed and reduce costs.

Clever design

In addition to its precise metering, the Saphir XMR stands out for its ease of use. Well-designed adjustment options make it easy to adapt quickly to changing operating conditions. Depth is adjusted via a central lever, while coulter pressure and sowing depth can be adjusted separately. The patented tramline control system is also designed for flexibility: operators can easily select different tramline patterns and working widths. The iQblue drill offers an ISOBUS-based operating concept with logical, clear access to all key machine functions. Depending on the specification, functions such as calibration testing or residual seed emptying are available with digital support.

To ensure reliable seed placement, LEMKEN adopts the tried-and-tested parallelogram-guided double disc coulter with pressure roller. This design ensures consistent seeding depth and good soil contact even under varying soil conditions and at higher driving speeds, for uniform crop emergence. In addition, coulter pressure can be easily adjusted to up to 45 kilogrammes using the grid adjustment mechanism. The mechanical drill continues to be available with row spacings of 12.5 or 15 centimetres.

Improved performance

The Saphir XMR covers large areas and can work for long intervals with tank sizes of 900, 1,200, or 1,500 litres. The generous opening, with a rigid, waterproof plastic lid, makes filling with big bags or a front loader easy. The MultiHub can be installed as an optional 200-litre auxiliary tank for micro

granules or catch crops.

The Saphir XMR can be mounted as a proven, high-performance combination on the Zirkon EMR and Zirkon XMR power harrows. For the first time, a 600-series roller is available for this purpose, offering significantly reduced rolling resistance and improved reconsolidation, particularly on light soils. Thanks to the semi-mounted design, hydraulic cylinders lift and swivel the seed drill forwards simultaneously. This reduces rear axle load and ensures stable weight distribution – an important advantage for smooth road transport.