Easy drill

Banana Bar · Dec 8, 2018

We tried 3 different disc direct drills this autumn, Weaving, Sly and Avatar. Made the mistake of not trying the Easy Drill. Are there any users on here willing to discuss their good and bad points?

Thanks

BB

ih1455xl · Dec 8, 2018

Had the easy drill on demo had it block up a few times some good features but brought the weaving as I felt it was the best all round drill and was also the cheapest

ace · Dec 8, 2018

Banana Bar said:
We tried 3 different disc direct drills this autumn, Weaving, Sly and Avatar. Made the mistake of not trying the Easy Drill. Are there any users on here willing to discuss their good and bad points?

What was the best drill from those 3 ?

Banana Bar · Dec 8, 2018

Avatar

Hobbit · Dec 8, 2018

We had a few demo’s and went for the easy drill. It coped with our stone brash soils better than the others and offered the best consolidation. We brought the demo machine not long after.

Banana Bar · Dec 9, 2018

Had another good look at the trial field yesterday. There really isn't much to choose between the drills. The establishment behind the Weaving GD is much worse but we have certainly drilled too deep. Weaving told me this during the demo but I was insistent that the seed was no deeper than 2", in reality its about 3" and a lot of seed germinated but ran out of steam before breaking cover.
The Avatar and Sly boss are quite similar but plant counts are slightly higher behind the Avatar. I had a 750a for a couple of years but was never really happy with the job it achieved. I think at that time I still had my Simba and Vaderstad hat on and couldn't quite see that the system needs to change rather than just the drill.

Struggle to see any major differences between the Avatar and 750, are there any, who has had both or tried both that can comment?

BB

GeorgeK · Dec 9, 2018

We have a Sumo-Moore Versadrill, which is similar (Easy Drill was designed with Moore and based on the Unidrill). From what I see on here the Weaving is a better, more modern design that offers better seed placement and slot closure. Ours always leaves some seed on top and doesn't always close the slots on clay if it's too dry or wet. However despite this it grows good crops and will drill into just about anything, hard ground or lots of trash isn't a problem. It's also heavy, on light or sandy land the press wheels ridge the soil up and create more disturbance, although this doesn't seem to result in any more weeds

GeorgeK · Dec 9, 2018

The newer drill designs seem to have press wheels that work at an angle to the slot which I assume works better. The Easy Drill, like ours, presses straight down on the slot and relies on pressure to deform the soil and push it out sideways to close the slot. Just my thoughts

Will Blackburn · Dec 9, 2018

Banana Bar said:
Struggle to see any major differences between the Avatar and 750, are there any, who has had both or tried both that can comment?

BB

I seem to remember that there is a difference in the independence of the closing wheel according to @Simon Chiles

Matt L · Dec 9, 2018

Metering systems are different. Avatar is pressurised tank for grain and Fert too. Can also have micro granular kit ex factory. Decent axles with 710 boots and pneumatic brakes. Easy calibration same as any Horsch unit. Half width or front and back separation if you wanted to drill different crops at same time.

The list goes on.

Banana Bar · Dec 9, 2018

topless_matt said:
Metering systems are different. Avatar is pressurised tank for grain and Fert too. Can also have micro granular kit ex factory. Decent axles with 710 boots and pneumatic brakes. Easy calibration same as any Horsch unit. Half width or front and back separation if you wanted to drill different crops at same time.

The list goes on.

Can you lift a row out of work and use row cleaners for establishing OSR?

Matt L · Dec 9, 2018

If you have it piped up front and back instead of left and right I think you can. Would have to check though. Would have to manually adjust the disc depth to stop them going into work iirc.

Will Blackburn · Dec 9, 2018

Banana Bar said:
Struggle to see any major differences between the Avatar and 750, are there any, who has had both or tried both that can comment?

BB

Just had a look at the avatar and the coulter travel is shite, this may not be a problem for some. Will be as good as the easy drill but less good than the jd which is not as good as the cs.

Clive · Dec 9, 2018

Banana Bar said:
Had another good look at the trial field yesterday. There really isn't much to choose between the drills. The establishment behind the Weaving GD is much worse but we have certainly drilled too deep. Weaving told me this during the demo but I was insistent that the seed was no deeper than 2", in reality its about 3" and a lot of seed germinated but ran out of steam before breaking cover.
The Avatar and Sly boss are quite similar but plant counts are slightly higher behind the Avatar. I had a 750a for a couple of years but was never really happy with the job it achieved. I think at that time I still had my Simba and Vaderstad hat on and couldn't quite see that the system needs to change rather than just the drill.

Struggle to see any major differences between the Avatar and 750, are there any, who has had both or tried both that can comment?

BB

There is very little difference between drills, plenty of capable brands now - buy the one you like the build of at a price you like

The colour of drill really is almost irrelevant to success though and should be a long way down your thinking

What rotational / nutritional and staff / unfastructure changes are you planning on making ? Get them sorted then think drills i

Tractor Boy · Dec 9, 2018

Banana Bar said:
Can you lift a row out of work and use row cleaners for establishing OSR?

I know I’ve got the same drill you got rid of but in my opinion they are superior to most. The fact that the firming and closing wheels are completely independent, the seed depth accuracy and ease of altering is far better than most as well and penetration is better than some.
The downsides are they are awful to work on and 6m is as large as it goes. Something that might be of interest to you is that I am currently having a set of row cleaners fitted although they have been a bit of an engineering headache.

Banana Bar · Dec 16, 2018

Tractor Boy said:
I know I’ve got the same drill you got rid of but in my opinion they are superior to most. The fact that the firming and closing wheels are completely independent, the seed depth accuracy and ease of altering is far better than most as well and penetration is better than some.
The downsides are they are awful to work on and 6m is as large as it goes. Something that might be of interest to you is that I am currently having a set of row cleaners fitted although they have been a bit of an engineering headache.

Row cleaners for both rows or just one? Would think one row to drill OSR would be sufficient?

Tractor Boy · Dec 16, 2018

Banana Bar said:
Row cleaners for both rows or just one? Would think one row to drill OSR would be sufficient?

Both rows. Hopefully it will help with cover crop and OSR establishment into chopped straw and maybe enable me to do second cereals if I want to as well.

Banana Bar · Dec 19, 2018

So of all the direct disc drills which one would be most capable of working in a dd situation, behind a Terrano and after a very shallow (50mm) cultivation?

Matt L · Dec 19, 2018

Horsch pronto NT

Banana Bar · Dec 19, 2018

topless_matt said:
Horsch pronto NT

I’m thinking you work for Horsch !

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