Kartoffelpflanzer
Machine.
Five Models · 2 to 4 Rows · 75–140 cv · Watanabe
The Watanabe potato planter range covers every scale of operation — from the compact PAI-2100 for small farms to the high-capacity PAI-480-AR with 4,000 kg seed bunker for large commercial potato enterprises.
Five Potato Planter Models.
One Right Fit for Every Farm Scale.
From entry-level 2-row to high-capacity 4-row commercial — the Watanabe potato planter range scales with your operation. All models plant seed potato at 3–5 km/h with simultaneous fertilizer application.
The PAI-2100 is the entry-level 2-row potato planter for small and medium farms. It is the ideal starting point for farms already using the R-380 potato furrower and planning to add mechanical harvesting later. At 860 kg and 75 cv minimum, it operates with standard mid-range tractors already used in small potato operations. The 350 kg seed bunker and 200 kg fertilizer bunker handle full-field planting on smaller plots without frequent refilling.
- 2-row planting — matched to small and medium farm operations
- 350 kg seed bunker — sufficient for extended field runs
- 200 kg fertilizer bunker — simultaneous planting and basal fertilization
- Insecticide tank option: 200 L or 300 L
- 860 kg empty weight — lightweight for 75 cv tractors
- Category 2 bottom linkage — easy attachment and detachment
The PANTHER 2 delivers 2× the seed capacity and 3.4× the fertilizer capacity of the PAI-2100 in the same 2-row configuration — dramatically reducing fill stop frequency on medium-scale farms. At 1,325 kg, it requires 85 cv but handles far larger field operations between refilling stops.
- 700 kg seed bunker — 2× the capacity of PAI-2100
- 680 kg fertilizer bunker — high-volume basal application in one fill
- Insecticide tank option: 200 L or 300 L
- 1,325 kg — heavy-duty construction for intensive commercial use
- 85 cv minimum — step up from PAI-2100 tractor requirement
- 3–5 km/h — same working speed as full PANTHER range
The PANTHER 3 is the step up to 3-row planting for medium to large farms, designed to work alongside the ERA-3100 rotary cultivator Und ADB-380 fertilizer spreader in a complete 3-row system. At 1,500 kg and 100 cv minimum, it delivers 50% more coverage per pass than the 2-row models. The 750 kg seed bunker and 600 kg fertilizer bunker are matched to sustained field operations without excessive refill stops on medium commercial farms.
- 3-row planting — 50% more coverage per pass vs 2-row models
- 750 kg seed bunker — large capacity for extended field runs
- 600 kg fertilizer bunker — high-volume basal application
- Insecticide tank option: 300 L
- 1,500 kg — heaviest PANTHER model for maximum stability
- 100 cv minimum — requires mid-high horsepower tractor
The PANTHER 4 is the largest tractor-mounted model in the PANTHER range — 4 rows, 125 cv, and 1,200 kg seed bunker for high daily area coverage on large commercial potato farms. No integrated fertilizer bunker — fertilizer application is handled separately by the ADB-480, maintaining the planter's focus on maximum seed placement precision and high output speed.
- 4-row planting — maximum coverage in the PANTHER range
- 1,200 kg seed bunker — high capacity for extended planting runs
- No fertilizer bunker — matched with ADB-480 for separate fertilizer pass
- Insecticide tank option: 300 L
- 1,450 kg — lighter than PANTHER 3 for easier 4-row manoeuvring
- 125 cv minimum — requires high-horsepower tractor
The PAI-480-AR is the flagship commercial potato planter — a self-contained 4-row planting system with 4,000 kg seed bunker, dual fertilizer bunkers (2,000 kg + 500 kg), optional 300–600 L insecticide tank, and 4–8 km/h working speed. Designed for large commercial potato enterprises where daily planting area and refill frequency are critical productivity factors. Works as part of a complete system with the AWB-1600 potato digger at harvest.
- 4,000 kg seed bunker — extended field runs without refilling
- Dual fertilizer bunkers: 2,000 kg (primary) + 500 kg (secondary)
- 4–8 km/h working speed — faster than PANTHER range
- Insecticide tank option: 300 L or 600 L
- 2,300 kg — heavy-duty commercial-grade construction
- 140 cv minimum — requires high-horsepower commercial tractor
Full Range Comparison — Five Models
All five models use Category 2 bottom linkage and plant at 3–5 km/h (PAI-480-AR up to 8 km/h). Choose by row count, seed bunker capacity, and available tractor horsepower.
Kartoffelpflanzmaschine Applications
The Watanabe potato planter range covers all commercial potato planting scenarios — from single-tractor small farm operations to high-output commercial enterprises requiring maximum daily planting area.
Consistent seed spacing and planting depth are the foundation of uniform germination, even canopy closure, and efficient mechanical harvesting. The Watanabe planter's cup-feed planting mechanism places each seed potato individually at the set spacing and depth — eliminating the gaps and doubles that reduce yield in manual or less precise systems.
PAI-2100, PANTHER 2, and PANTHER 3 include integrated fertilizer bunkers — applying basal fertilizer directly into the planting row in the same pass as seed placement. Fertilizer is placed below the seed at root zone depth, immediately available to the developing plant without a separate fertilizer application pass.
The PAI-480-AR's 4,000 kg seed bunker and 4–8 km/h working speed are designed for large commercial potato enterprises where daily planted area targets are the primary productivity measure. Fewer fill stops, faster field speed, and dual fertilizer bunkers maximise productive field time on large commercial operations.
Uniform row spacing and within-row seed spacing set up the entire crop for efficient subsequent operations — inter-row cultivator passes, fertilizer application, and mechanical harvesting all depend on the geometry established at planting. Consistent geometry reduces harvesting losses and tuber damage at the AWB digger stage.
Where the Planter Fits in the Potato Workflow
The potato planter is Stage 2 of the Watanabe potato machinery system — following furrowing and preceding cultivation and harvesting. All stages use Watanabe machines, ensuring compatible row spacing throughout the crop cycle.
PAI-2100 / PANTHER / PAI-480-AR plant seed potato. You are here.
Potato Planter — Common Questions
Questions we receive most often before purchasing a Watanabe potato planter.
Need a Kartoffelpflanzer for Your Farm?
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