Are you looking for a direct drill? One that can be combined with a power harrow or a cultivator to break down ploughed ground? What about seed and fertiliser, or a third hopper to apply more than one product?
It’s an unenviable task trying to buy or sell a drill with all the variables that need to be considered. Adding to the complication is the new grant schemes and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) subsidies, which can make some drills appear more financially appealing than others.
There is some caution in the marketplace. The Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) estimates that in 2023 950 drills were sold, around 280 of which were tine drills. While not a significant decrease, this is down from the average of 1,050.
We can also see a shift from the manufacturers, with larger companies working to develop comprehensive ranges from the simplest of mechanical drills, through to combination units and finally highly precise direct and minimum tillage machines.
On the other side, some companies have opted for a specialist approach, offering a specific type of drill and building an options list to add versatility.
Looking at the soil
Still the aim of a drill remains the same. To establish a healthy, profitable crop. Even when drills are used to establish cover and catch crops, or field margins, the overall aim is to produce a cash crop in the future.
If the aim is still the same, then the key considerations remain the same. With everything else either helping to improve output, make the drill work across multiple crops within the rotation or reducing the number of passes.
And if there’s one key consideration, it’s the soil. Soil type and soil health should be the biggest influences on drill choice.
It will affect how well a tine drill works, or whether a disc drill is likely to smear. The combination of soil type and climate might demand a seed and fertiliser split hopper, instead of it being a way to limit passes in the field.
Look at soil type and the available tractor power and this will narrow down the search even further. Perhaps a front tank and toolbar is the way to go to achieve the correct weight balance. Maybe a trailed machine would be better to get the maximum output from a mid-powered tractor.
The market can be mystifying. The sheer number of models available can be overwhelming. And yet the choice becomes far simpler when we start with the soil type.
Acreages might increase or decrease, crop rotations might change, and tractor power inevitably goes up, but the soil type never shifts.
Alpego
Now distributed in the UK by Opico, Alpego offers the Jet-M and Jet-X combination drills.
The former is suitable for tractors between 85 and 250hp, available in a 3m working with a 1,000-litre hopper.
It uses the Airon metering unit that is delivered with three interchangeable rollers to suit small, medium and large seeds.
The larger Jet-X comes in 3m and 4m versions, suitable for tractors up to 320hp.
The hopper size has been increased to 1,500 litres, while the Dosal metering system can handle up to 450kg/ha of seed or fertiliser.
On both machines, there is a quick connect system to mount and demount the drill from the Alpego power harrow, with an auto levelling system that maintains the correct seeding depth regardless of the power harrow working depth.
The company also offers Aspro and Asmax front tank and coulter bar combinations, which can be used in conjunction with the power harrow range, as well as with third party machines.
The Aspro has a single metering unit capable of applying product to up to a 6m working width, while the Asmax has twin metering units for 8m working widths with a single product, or 6m for seed and fertiliser.
Amazone
The Amazone drill range continues to evolve in 2024. The new Centaya Special-C pneumatic combination has a 1,500-litre, hopper split 70:30.
A third hopper can be added for micro-granular applications. Furthermore, the AD 3000 conventional drill has now been superseded by the Cataya 3000 Special Ecoline.
It’s available in a standard specification of 24 RoTeC single disc counters, Exact Harrow, road lights and AmaLog+ in-cab terminal.
For greater output, the company recommends the new Cirrus 9004-2C. The 5,750-litre hopper is split 60:40 and operators can fold just one side of the drill to make hopper filling easier.
Seed is metered to the 16.6cm spaced, TwinTeC plus double disc coulters via the new Smart Plus distributor head. Seed is kept circulating in the head ready for delivery to the coulter, reducing any time delay.
The drill can be set to different tramline widths, both symmetrical and asymmetrical, and any wheel track of choice from the cab.
MultiSwitch individual row shut-off means that overlaps are limited to less than 1% and it can run multiple seed maps, as well as adjust the depth automatically by working to a soil texture map.
Campey Agriculture
Vredo’s range of Agri Seeders have gained a reputation for a reported 96% germination rates with the award-winning Crop Drill System (CDS), which enables the Vredo to sow arable crops directly on corn stubbles without any tillage at a 15cm row distance, extending the machines use, reducing establishment fuel costs, and promoting soil health.
The unit keeps its well-known features for grassland overseeding (7.5cm), a continuation of the units first built in 1976 by the company.
Over the years there have been a number of developments and improvements on the machine, including a highly accurate mechanical seed distribution system and progressive spring guards.
The grass seed is placed for optimal germination, because it is enclosed in the fertile soil and protected from birds and drought.
Overseeding can be done in one pass and saves up to 80% time and fuel, compared to renovation through ploughing, cultivating, levelling, sowing and rolling.
Claydon Drills
Claydon has expanded its range with the new Evolution Front Hopper and Evolution Drill Toolbar. With a total capacity of 2,750 litres, split 45/55%, the hopper is pressurised for high-volume delivery to the distribution heads.
Twin metering units deliver either mixed or separated seed/fertiliser flows to the toolbar, with a simple airline box selector diverting material to the distribution pipes or combining the total output into one pipe. An Isocan terminal controls all functions and allows variable rate seeding, if specified.
The Evolution Front Hopper is supplied with small, medium or large diameter interchangeable metering wheels to suit a wide range of seeds and fertilisers. It incorporates two hopper sensors providing ‘low level’ and ‘empty’ warnings, work lights, two road vision cameras, a toolbox and foldable front footstep.
The Evolution Drill Toolbar is available in widths of 3m, 4m, 4.5m, 4.8m, 5m or 6m. The standard specification includes one distribution head with 38mm seed delivery hoses, but a second distribution head can be optioned, allowing fertiliser to be supplied to either the front leading tine or rear seeding tine.
Dale Drills
The Mounted Tine Drill (MTD) is now available with a split tank for the simultaneous sowing of two different products.
Equipped with narrow coulters, the tines blend the two products as they penetrate the soil.
The 1,500-litre hopper, divided evenly, integrates two Accord seed metering units, managed through an RDS Isocan control system.
It’s available in working widths ranging from 3-8m, with row spacings of 12.5, 16.6, 18.75, 20, or 25cm.
Additionally, the Eco Drill range has undergone enhancements. Among the upgrades is a rubber semi-pneumatic press wheel, specially designed for customers utilising the 25cm row spacing configuration.
This press wheel compacts soil around the seed, using its flexible rubber material and scraper to prevent soil adherence.
A sturdier linkage system has also been added, to ensure precise inter-row hoeing and consistent row spacing.
Moreover, customers can now optimise soil coverage with the incorporation of a pair of Güttler rings affixed to a tandem axle. Strategically angled, the Güttler redistributes soil over the seeded row, compacting it around the seed for improved growth conditions.
FarmDroid
Introduced to the market as a three wheeled machine, the FarmDroid is now available with either three or four wheels.
With pairs of wheels running in the same tracks front and rear, the unit can effectively straddle the rows of crop, enabling it to plant seed into flat beds and return subsequently to weed between the seedlings without running any crop down.
It uses ultra-accurate GPS to record exactly where it places each seed. Then on each subsequent weeding pass it simply works around the crop rows with the hoe shares running between each row and blades slicing off anything between each crop plant, in the row.
Being solar-powered, FarmDroid owners don’t have any fuel bills for the machine.
Not only does this have a clear impact on the bottom line, it’s also environmentally friendly. It also weighs just under 1,000kg, meaning it has has the lightest footprint possible.
One FarmDroid can manage 20ha, however if optioned with an additional power bank, this area can be doubled to 40ha, depending on crop.
The FarmDroid FD20 has successfully managed over 40 different types of crops, from sugar beet to parsley, onions to fodder beet.
Horizon
Designed to offer high outputs, while still adhering to EU transport height and width regulations, the new Horizon DSX no-till drill offers working widths of 7.5m, 8m and 9m, with a choice of 16.7cm, 18.7cm, 20cm and 25cm row spacings.
Notably, during operation, the configuration of the rows can be changed, with all rows activated, alternate rows for double spacing, or for sowing different products down each alternate row.
The 5,700-litre hopper is split 60:40 for seed and fertiliser applications, with the option of an additional 400-litre granular hopper at the rear.
The coulter bar wings are able to follow undulations with 5deg of movement up and down, while the parallel linkage ensures accurate depth control.
According to the company, the angled disc coulters are capable of penetrating the soil in even the hardest of conditions. Completing the unit is the option of an in-house development liquid fertiliser kit.
Horsch
Horsch has developed a comprehensive portfolio of disc and tine mounted drills that can be combined with its Partner FT front tank to offer highly flexible seeding system for all crops and conditions.
The all-new 6m Sprinter 6 SL tine drill and 6m Avatar 6.25 SL disc drill were launched at Agritechnica. These join a wide choice of mounted drills to allow farmers to create a versatile seeding system that suits their needs.
The Partner FT can be combined with seed drills, used with cultivators for deep fertilisation, or in combination with a Finer SL. Combining the drill with a Partner front tank optimises the weight distribution of the tractor and seeding rig.
The Avatar SL is the smallest and most manoeuvrable Avatar seed drill with a mounted 3-point configuration designed for precise sowing in mulch seed conditions.
The 6m SL mounted model reduces tillage to a minimum yet work well in high amounts of straw residue, and in harder soils.
In addition to Avatar and Sprinter, farmers can also use the Taro 6 SL disc drill, Maestro RX and RV single-grain drills and Express KR power harrow for an intensive seedbed preparation.
Even the Finer SL can be specified with a seeding kit to become an excellent wet weather drill.
John Deere
John Deere has updated its proven drilling technology with the addition of precision farming systems such as DataSync.
DataSync was introduced to the John Deere Operations Center last year to allow users to minimise the time taken to manually change records on each in-cab display, ensuring that stored field data is as accurate as possible, creating the most up-to-date and accurate field maps for drilling.
Field names, boundary changes, guidance tracks and flags can now be changed whenever and wherever at the press of a button and shared instantly across the fleet.
Real-time updates of where an operator’s drill has sown crops are accessible to the next machine to be used, such as a sprayer, which then can drive on the exact same path as the drill, increasing efficiency and accuracy.
According to the company, combining the enhanced efficiency of DataSync and the precise seed placement of the 750A drill with its single-disc openers, will provide operators with the most accurate sowing of crops, along with reductions in downtime, soil compaction and overlaps.
DataSync is free to activate and can be enabled or disabled for selected machines within the Operations Center, allowing team members differing levels of access.
Köckerling
Köckerling’s Ultima CS drill range, available in working widths from 3m to 6m, has been updated with a new tine coulter.
It can now be equipped not only with the 60mm points but also with the new TC (thin coulter) point. One benefit, according to the company, is that hardly any ground is moved while sowing.
The 15 mm TC coulter only opens a very narrow slot in which the seeds are distributed.
To ensure that the seeds are placed precisely in the ground, the new tine is equipped with a special drill tube that guides the seeds into the slot.
This new option will be particularly beneficial for those who are direct sowing, states Köckerling: The seeds are placed securely in the ground thanks to the tines, without the straw being pushed into the seed row.
The plant residues on the surface are not removed and cover the seed row, retaining moisture and minimising the risk of erosion.
Even at high driving speeds, the tine works reliably and precisely.
To ensure the TC points have a long service life, they are equipped with two tungsten carbide plates at the tip. It is also possible to exchange the TC coulter for the standard 60mm coulter tip.
KRM
The new SM-P 8m model utilises the SM coulter, said to offer a robust design, high pressure, and narrow tungsten carbide tip, which is suitable for minimum tillage and direct drilling.
It’s equipped with 32 coulters giving a 25cm row spacing – ideal for mechanical weeding.
The SM-P 800/32 uses the same metering system as the Ares-P and SM-P seed drills.
The pressurised hopper ensures even seed flow to the stainless steel, Isobus metering unit which can handle rates from 4-400kg/ha. Half-width shut of comes as standard and the drill is capable of variable rate, auto on/off and section control.
The Mini Seed hopper mounts onto the drill and allows another product to be applied simultaneously whilst drilling. It uses the same stainless steel metering unit as the SM-P and Ares-P models making it suitable for all products including, corrosive materials.
Interchangeable feed rollers allow all sizes of product to be applied at various application rates.
A distribution head is mounted below the access platform and feeds down to spreader plates mounted on the following harrow.
The spreader plates can be positioned to point forward for sowing companion crops or can broadcast material behind the following harrow so it remains on the soil surface.
Kuhn Farm Machinery
Kuhn Farm Machinery has extended its range of mechanical combination seed drills with the launch of the Sitera 100-series, offering three models with a variety of coulter and seeding unit options.
All three new models offer a 3m working width and either 24 rows at 12.5cm intervals, or 20 rows offering 15cm spacings.
The key difference between each model – 310, 320 and 330 – is the type of coulter fitted to the individual machines.
The 310 is fitted with Suffolk coulters; 320 models feature a single disc coulter; while the 330 has Kuhn’s SeedFlex 100 distribution seeding head, with double disc coulters arranged over two rows on a parallelogram and press wheel set-up.
Each seed drill has a 600-litre hopper, with the seeding unit fixed to the roller of the power harrow. The design positions the weight closer to the tractor, allowing a closer centre of gravity to the tractor and a reduced rear lift.
Each model features the Helica volumetric spline metering unit. However, users can add an electrically driven version on the Sitera.
This allows easier setup via automatic calibration and adjustment of seed rate from the tractor cab using the terminal, or automatically via GPS. Automatic seed control on headland turns via section control is an option.
Kverneland
The Satio is a new model of pneumatic drill. Tractor-mounted, this close-coupled solo unit has been developed for smaller tractors and is available in 3m and 4m rigid models, and 5m and 6m widths with hydraulic folding.
Hopper capacities can be 750 and 1,000 litres for rigid models, which use mechanically driven seed metering, while hydraulic folding models get a 1,750-litre hopper and ELDOS electric seed metering.
CX-II coulters offer a preset 12.5cm or 25cm row spacing, but flexible fixing allows on-farm row-width adjustment.
To create combination units to suit different sowing requirements, Kverneland offers the f-drill front tank. Available as the f-drill Compact and f-drill Maxi, the two versions provide hopper capacities of 1,600 litres and 2,200 litres respectively.
Both benefit from Kverneland’s ELDOS electric metering unit complete with hydraulic fan drive, for application rates from 1-400kg/ha.
A Duo version of the f-drill is also available and is equipped with two ELDOS metering units and a split-hopper.
Finally, a narrow tine option has being developed for use with the ts drill, allowing it to be used as a one-pass drill working direct into stubbles.
It uses a 15mm point compared to the 45mm assembly used on the regular ts drill. Combined with an all-new leg design, the low disturbance tine gains 50kg more spring pressure, making it better suited to working in uncultivated ground.
Lemken
The latest Solitair MR drill and Zirkon power harrow combination from Lemken is available in working widths of 3m and 4m.
Base capacity is 1,500 litres, with the option to increase this to 2,000 litres, which can be split 60:40 for seed and fertiliser application.
The company’s 200-litre MultiHub can also be specified, enabling a third product to be applied either through the existing seed lines or via a baffle plate.
The maintenance-free OptiDisc coulter bar is available with spacings of either 12.5cm or 15cm, with parallelogram-guided double disc coulters and depth control rollers.
It’s available with either hydraulic pressure adjustment, providing up to 70kg, or mechanical adjustment, up to 45kg. Both the downward pressure and the seed depth can be changed independently.
Two metering systems are fitted as standard, supplying the distributor heads which are mounted above the coulter bar.
This means that even the standard drill can provide half-width shut-off, with the option of hydraulic tramlining which can be linked to the iQblue system.
When applying multiple products, customers can opt for the double-shot version which doubles the number of metering units.
Mzuri
The Pro-Til series represents Mzuri’s flagship model. It’s engineered for single-pass operations, integrating seedbed preparation, seeding, and fertilisation into one process.
According to the company, this not only reduces the number of passes but also preserves soil structure and moisture.
The Pro-Til is available in 3m to 6m working widths and key features of the Pro-Til include independent pivoting coulter arms, which allow for precise seed placement at the optimal depth, and an individual press wheel system that improves seed-to-soil contact, thereby enhancing germination rates.
In addition to the Pro-Til, Mzuri offers the iPass drill, designed for high-output, low disturbance seeding.
The iPass is equipped with self-steering coulter arms to follow ground contours, and individual hydraulic coulter pressure to ensure seed to soil contact.
Additionally, the iPass features an advanced metering system capable of handling a wide range of seed types and sizes and a high capacity 5,000 litre tank, making it a versatile tool for diverse cropping systems.
Pottinger
The latest generation of Pottinger Vitasem mechanical seed drills is available in working widths between 2.5m and 4m.
Standard equipment includes a mechanically driven metering unit, with electric drive available as an option, which the company states will ensure uniform metering of a wide variety of seed material.
Additionally, to cover a wide range of applications, two completely independent metering units are combined in one system.
Two separate metering wheels in one system mean you can switch between normal seed and small seed metering in minutes without the need for tools.
Compared with the previous generation, the seed hopper volumes on all models have been increased by up to 25%. Capacity now ranges from 530 to 1,700 litres, depending on the model and equipment options.
Profiline is the comfort control system that covers all the hydraulic functions of Terrasem universal seed drills. The machine is supplied with oil by the tractor’s load sensing connection, and all movements are controlled electro-hydraulically via a hydraulic block.
The machine is operated by pressing a button on the control terminal or automatically by the task controller using section control and variable rate control.
Sky Agriculture
The latest addition/development to the market, introduced late 2023 for the Sky Agriculture EasyDrill is the availability to have a mounting kit to fit a Stocks Ag Turbo Jet 10 to pneumatic trailed models.
The new mounting kit allows separate metering and accurate application of Avadex through an additional set of outlets behind the drills press wheel.
The mounting kit is designed to integrate with the Sky EasyDrill and consists of a loading platform, steps and guard rail to meet all safety regulations and maintain a safe environment for the operator.
The Turbo Jet Avadex applicator fitting kit is available for the 4m, 6m and 8m EasyDrill.
The 4m model is specified with a Turbo Jet 8 (8 outlets) while the 6m and 8m machines can be specified with the Turbo Jet 10 (up to 20 outlets), with the flagship drill also available with Stocks’ larger 400-litre hopper.
Väderstad
The pneumatic seed drills Rapid A 400-800S, Rapid A 600-800C, Spirit 400C/S, and Spirit 600-900C/S have been upgraded with an optional distributor head for the 2024 model year.
This new distributor head can be equipped with motors for all outlets, providing increased control over the product flow.
The new distributor head for the pneumatic Rapid and Spirit seed drills introduces two main features. Dynamic tramlining reportedly simplifies and enhances the reliability of tramlining.
It is set up using the iPad-based Väderstad E-Control. When seeding the field, the seed drill automatically shuts off specific rows as needed to match the tyre tracks of the sprayer.
Another important feature of the new distributor head is the ability to easily change the row spacing from 125mm to 250mm, saving time during busy seasons.
This adjustment is made with a touch of a button in the E-Control system from the cab. The system is coordinated with SeedEye sensors to ensure full functionality.
The 12m wide pneumatic Inspire 1200C/S offers a high-capacity output at a low draught force requirement. Its adaptive double disc seed coulters system, paired with the Fenix III metering system, results in even emergence and strong crop growth.
It is available as a seed-only or seed- and fertiliser model. Inspire 1200C/S is able to control the output in eight separate sections. This means that Inspire 1200C/S can work down to 1.5m sections.
Virkar
Distributed by Samagri in the UK, the Spanish-built Virkar direct drill range has been extended with the Compact series, designed to be a cheaper alterative to the company’s Dynamic machine.
Like the Dynamic, it offers a standard 5,300-litre hopper, however the seeding units are spaced out over just two rows to make the machine more compact.
A choice of the company’s disc and tine coulter unit, spaced at 38cm, or the single disc coulter, in 19cm, 25cm or 38cm spacings, is available, and working widths between 4.5m and 7.5m can be specified.
Coulter pressure is hydraulically regulated via a small accumulator, powered by the tractor’s distributor which also controls the lifting of the individual elements.
To keep the retail cost down, the Virkar Compact is sold without an ECU or hydraulic block. As standard, the rear axle is fixed, however a steering option is available when the machine is specified with the S3 control.
Weaving Machinery
The latest addition to the Weaving Machinery range is the Mounted GD disc drill, designed for farmers requiring a compact machine.
It includes a range of new features, including a tubular coulter frame to minimise material sitting on the machine and two-section folding for calibration and emptying of the hopper.
Working widths are 3m and 4m, with a 2,000-litre plastic tank (as seen on the Sabre range) for better weight distribution and through-flow of material.
The tank includes a heavy-duty steel lid, as well as a side door for maintenance and cleaning.
It retains the GD coulter system, reportedly making it the lowest disturbance drill on the market.
This has been upgraded to incorporate a gas spring, said to be more reliable than the previous hydraulic cylinders and offering more responsive and constant coulter pressure.
Seed distribution is powered by the RDS Artemis Lite control system, with electric metering, while a six-inch hydraulic fan delivers the seed to the coulters.
Controls can be upgraded to Isocan GPS metering, with a larger interface, multiple product applications and Isobus.