The belt planting technology on Standen Engineering’s tractor-mounted Zeno potato planter range features lower seed drops and greater seed flow control for increased planting precision and gentler seed handling at high outputs. Called the Z-System, and operated from a newly developed Z-Pad touch screen console, the belt planting mechanism is supplied with seed from a 1.5 tonne hopper. Seed is transferred to a singulating conveyor, comprising a pair of angled belts forming a ‘V’ channel. Running at different speeds this pair of belts ensures that only a single line of seed is presented to the following trough conveyor. Final metering and spacing is regulated by an overhead sponge belt, and seed is placed into the soil furrow behind the stainless steel openers. Depth control is manual but both automatic and hydraulic options are available. Designed, developed and manufactured in-house at Standen, the Zeno will be launched at this month’s Cereals event. Initially offered as the 2-row Zeno 21 or 3-row Zeno 31, both are fitted with a new fully adjustable stainless steel forming hood for improved soil flow and optimum forming of ridges or beds at higher planting speeds.