Automatic drum seeder machine
Automatic drum seeder machine is a full‑automatic nursery seeding unit integrating substrate filling, hole dibbling, precision seeding and soil covering in one continuous workflow. The complete‑line version further features substrate feeding, water spraying and automatic tray collection.
Designed to replace slow, labour‑heavy manual sowing and hand dibbling for commercial seedling nurseries, it enables single‑operator full‑line operation with consistent, accurate seed placement in each cell to eliminate costly seed waste. Compatible with seeds measuring 0.3‑6 mm of all forms‑‑round, flat, irregular, pelleted or raw‑‑it handles vegetable, flower, tobacco, herb and forestry seeds.
It fits standard black plastic plug trays up to 540 mm wide (72‑, 105‑, 128‑cell and other formats), with floating trays offered as a custom option. Delivering 600‑1,200 trays per hour and over 95 % seeding precision for pelleted seeds, it matches the output of multiple manual workers while lowering per‑batch labour and power consumption.
Automatic Drum Seeder Machine for Sale
The machine’s core is a vacuum suction seeding drum . Negative pressure created by a vacuum pump holds one seed on each suction point as the drum rotates, and positive pressure gently releases it into the pressed hole of every cell. An adjustable single-needle air blower removes excess seeds so only one seed remains per point, and a dedicated recovery device returns the surplus seeds for reuse.
We supply two models:
- KMR-200 — Automatic Drum Seeder (4-section): soil filling + dibbling + seeding + covering. 4700 × 800 × 1300 mm; 220 V / 750 W; capacity 700–1,200 trays/hour; seed size 0.3–5 mm.
- KMR-300 — Automatic Drum Seeding Line (6-section): substrate loading + tray filling + seeding + covering + watering + tray collecting. 9200 × 850 × 1300 mm; 220 V / 1130 W; capacity 600–1,200 trays/hour; seed size 0.3–6 mm; Siemens PLC with touch-screen parameter setting.
How Does an Automatic Drum Seeder Machine Work?
- Tray soil filling – The plug tray is automatically filled with substrate and leveled.
- Hole pressing (dibbling) – Uniform sowing holes are pressed into each cell.
- Seed suction – The vacuum pump creates negative pressure inside the rotating drum; seeds from the hopper are picked up by the suction nozzles on the drum surface.
- Excess seed removal – An adjustable single-needle air blower blows off extra seeds, ensuring one seed per suction point. The seed recovery device returns excess seeds to the system — no waste.
- Precise seed release – As the drum rotates to the release position, positive air pressure places the seed into the center of each pressed hole.
- Soil covering – The covering unit spreads a uniform substrate layer over the sown cells.
- Watering & tray collection (KMR-300 line) – Automatic watering and tray stacking complete the process.
An automatic photoelectric sensor system detects every tray: no tray, no soil filling, no seeding — eliminating empty sowing and seed waste. Variable-frequency speed control on every section keeps each process perfectly synchronized with the next.
Automatic Drum Seeder Machine Key Features
- One-pass completion: filling, dibbling, seeding and covering in one workflow; one-button operation, simple and fast.
- High capacity: 600–1,200 trays per hour (model and seed dependent) — ideal for medium and large nursery operations.
- High precision: seeding accuracy above 95% with pelleted seeds; adjustable air blow-off guarantees one seed per cell.
- Wide seed compatibility: suitable for 0.3–6 mm seeds of any shape — round, flat, irregular, pelleted or raw.
- No tray, no seeding: photoelectric auto-detection prevents substrate and seed waste.
- Seed recovery system: dedicated device recycles excess seeds, saving expensive seed stock.
- Variable-frequency speed control: filling, seeding, covering and conveying speeds fully matched to each process.
- Premium electrics: PLC control (Siemens PLC on the KMR-300), touch-screen parameter setting, imported electrical components.
- Energy-efficient motors: latest-generation green energy-saving motors cut power consumption by 50% and last 5× longer than ordinary motors.
- Fits your trays: standard black plug trays up to 540 mm wide; floating trays available on customization.
Automatic Drum Seeder Machine Models & Technical Specifications
| Mục | KMR-200 Automatic Drum Seeder | KMR-300 Automatic Drum Seeding Line |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Soil filling + dibbling + seeding + covering (4 sections; middle seeding unit available separately) | Substrate loading + tray filling + seeding + covering + watering + tray collecting (6 sections) |
| Overall Dimensions (mm) | 4700 × 800 × 1300 (extendable by adding sections) | 9200 × 850 × 1300 |
| Nguồn điện | 220 V, 50 Hz | 220 V |
| Công suất tổng | 750 W | 1130 W (seeding unit: 90 W; covering unit: 205 W) |
| Max. Tray Width | 540 mm | 540 mm |
| Suitable Seed Size | 0.3–5 mm, any shape | 0.3–6 mm, any shape |
| Dung tích | 700–1,200 trays/hour | 600–1,200 trays/hour |
| Seeding Precision | ≥95% (pelleted seeds) | ≥95% (pelleted seeds) |
| Hệ thống điều khiển | PLC, one-button operation | Siemens PLC + touchscreen with parameter setting |
| Speed Control | Variable frequency, fully synchronized | Variable frequency, fully synchronized |
| Detection | Photoelectric sensor: no tray, no seeding | Photoelectric sensor: no tray, no filling/seeding |
| Working Principle | Electric-pneumatic hybrid | Electric-pneumatic hybrid |
Suitable Seeds, Trays and Applications
Suitable seeds (0.3–6 mm, any shape):
- Vegetables: tomato, pepper, chili, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, celery, onion, cucumber, melon, watermelon
- Flowers: petunia, marigold, pansy and other floriculture seeds
- Others: tobacco, herbs, forestry tree seeds
- Both pelleted and raw seeds are supported; pelleted seeds achieve ≥95% single-seed precision.
- Suitable trays: standard black plastic plug trays (72 / 105 / 128 cells and other specifications) with width up to 540 mm; floating trays can be customized.
Typical applications: commercial vegetable seedling nurseries, flower and ornamental plant greenhouses, tobacco seedling stations, forestry nurseries, seed companies and agricultural cooperatives.
How to Operate the Automatic Drum Seeder Machine?
- Power up: Switch on the power and air supply; connect the vacuum pump inlets to both ends of the seeding drum (single-end suction also supported).
- Load seeds & pre-fill the drum: Put seeds into the hopper. With the drum start switch OFF, hold the drum jog switch until the drum surface is fully covered with seeds. Adjust the single-needle blow-off air volume and angle to remove excess seeds (do not blow too hard).
- Set tray parameters: On the display, set the tray row number to match your tray (72-cell = 6 rows, 105-cell = 7 rows, 128-cell = 8 rows). Adjust the conveyor belt speed so the drum rotation matches tray travel speed.
- Start production: Turn the drum start switch ON, set the soil filling and covering machine speeds, and feed trays from the front of the filling machine.
Operating tips:
- After every power restart, toggle the drum start switch OFF → ON, otherwise the drum will not rotate.
- Keep seed vibration adjustment low.
- Use the valve on the vacuum line to fine-tune suction.
- Set the drum’s lowest point about 10 mm above the tray surface; too high causes inaccurate placement, too low lets substrate stick to the nozzles.
- Run the filling machine slightly slower than the seeder and the covering machine slightly faster, so trays never pile up between sections.
Why Choose Our Automatic Drum Seeder Machine?
- Proven manufacturing experience: years of specialization in seedling nursery machinery, with machines running in nurseries at home and abroad.
- Real cost savings: one machine replaces an entire sowing crew; energy-saving motors cut electricity bills by 50%.
- Quality components: Siemens PLC, imported electrical parts and durable energy-efficient motors ensure long service life with minimal downtime.
- Customization available: floating trays, special tray sizes and line configurations (e.g., watering unit, seeding-unit-only purchase) to fit your exact workflow.
- Global customer base: our seeding equipment is trusted by commercial growers and nursery operators worldwide.
- Full support: detailed operation guidance, spare parts supply and responsive after-sales service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What seeds can the automatic drum seeder machine handle?
Any seed sized 0.3–6 mm regardless of shape — round, flat or irregular. Both pelleted and raw seeds work; pelleted seeds reach ≥95% single-seed accuracy.
What trays are compatible?
Standard black plug trays up to 540 mm wide (72/105/128 cells, etc.). Floating trays can be customized on request.
Can I buy only the seeding section?
Yes. The KMR-200 middle seeding unit is available separately, ideal if you already have filling and covering equipment.
Does the machine waste seeds?
No. A photoelectric sensor stops seeding when no tray is detected, and a dedicated recovery device returns excess seeds to the system.
Get a Free Quote
With years of manufacturing experience and customers worldwide, we provide reliable seedling equipment to help reduce labor costs and improve production efficiency. In addition to drum seeders, we offer various models of seedling machines to meet different crop requirements and nursery production needs.
Contact us today for the latest prices, working videos, and customized solutions. Explore our full range of seedling machines and find the right equipment for your business!