Air Carts & Drill Seeding Equipment For Sale

Air carts for sale at Ritchie Bros.

Air carts are the towed tank-and-metering system that pairs with an air drill or air seeder to deliver seed, fertilizer, and granular product into the ground at consistent rates across wide working widths. The cart holds the product in pressurized tanks, meters it out through volumetric or individual-section meters, and uses a fan to convey it pneumatically through primary and secondary distribution hoses to the openers on the drill. If you're running large-acre grain, oilseed, or pulse operations, an air cart is the workhorse that turns a one-day seeding window into a finished crop.

Browse our current listings to see what's coming through — we regularly list tow-behind, tow-between, and integrated air carts from Bourgault, John Deere, Case IH, Seed Hawk, Morris, New Holland, and Flexi-Coil, ranging from older 230-bushel single-tank units up to modern 800-bushel four-compartment carts with variable-rate sectional control.

Air cart vs. air seeder vs. air drill — what's the difference?

These terms get used interchangeably, but on a buying decision they matter. The air seeder or air drill is the toolbar that opens the soil and places the seed — the openers, packers, and frame. The air cart is the separate tank unit that carries product and pressurizes it through the delivery system. Some setups are integrated (tank mounted on the drill frame), but most large-acre operations run a dedicated tow-behind or tow-between cart so they can carry more product and refill less often. If you're shopping for the complete rig, you'll often see both pieces listed together at auction.

Top brands and models you'll find at auction

Bourgault

Bourgault air seeders and carts are a Western Canadian staple. The 6000 and 7000 series carts — including the 6450, 6550, and 7700 — are known for their large tank capacities, accurate metering, and durable build. The X35 apollo metering system and saskatoon-built frames hold resale value well.

John Deere

The 1910 commodity cart is one of the most common air carts on the used market, available in 270, 350, 430, and 550-bushel configurations. Pair it with a 1830, 1870, or N-series air drill and you've got a proven rig. Newer C650 and C850 carts add sectional control and ISOBUS integration.

Case IH and New Holland

The Case IH Precision Air 3000 and 4000 series and the New Holland P1060 / P2080 share much of their DNA. Look for hydraulic-drive metering and tow-between configurations that put the cart between tractor and drill for better weight distribution.

Seed Hawk and Morris

Seed Hawk carts (now under Väderstad) pair with their toolbars for true independent-opener seeding. Morris 8 and 9 series carts, including the 8650 and 9450, remain popular for their simple metering and serviceability.

What to look for when buying a used air cart

• Tank condition and seals: Check all tank lids, gaskets, and pressure seals. A cart that won't hold fan pressure will plug runs and skip rows — and replacing rotted lid seals on every tank adds up fast.
• Metering rollers and shafts: Pull the meter covers and inspect rollers for wear, cracked flutes, or chemical fertilizer corrosion. Worn rollers throw off rate accuracy, especially on small seeds like canola.
• Fan and hydraulic drive: Run the fan up to operating RPM (typically 3,800–4,500) and listen for bearing noise. Check the hydraulic motor for leaks and verify it pulls steady pressure. A failing fan motor is one of the more expensive repairs.
• Primary and secondary hoses: Look for cracking, abrasion, and worn elbows at the distribution towers. Hoses are consumables, but a full re-hose on a wide cart is a real budget line.
• Distribution towers and manifolds: Inspect for plugging, wear, and uneven splits. Uneven distribution shows up as striping in the crop and is hard to diagnose after the fact.
• Monitor, ISOBUS, and sectional control: Confirm the rate controller and any sectional shut-off valves are functional. Make sure the monitor is compatible with the tractor you'll be pulling it with — older carts may need an upgrade to run with modern displays.
• Tires, axles, and frame: Loaded weight on a 550+ bushel cart is significant. Check axle bearings, walking beams, and tire condition, particularly on the front castor wheels.

Buy used air carts at Ritchie Bros.

Our inventory of air carts moves through unreserved auctions across Western Canada, the U.S. Northern Plains, and Australia — the regions where these machines work hardest. Every consigned unit comes with detailed inspection reports, tank capacities, fan type, monitor model, and matched drill information where available. Whether you're after a 230-bushel single-tank unit to round out a smaller operation or a 700-bushel sectional-control cart with the matching toolbar, browse the current air cart listings and bid with confidence.