With the CPSG deadline approaching I thought I’d revisit the question of the best direct drill on the market (that fits well with the grant cap). Have we worked out definitively which is the better drill between the ERTH or the Simtech Grass or is it dependent on soil types etc.?
ERTH Agriseeder vs Simtech TS Grass 300
- Thread starter Portiamouse
- Start date
agri knives
Member
- Location
- middle of ireland
The Erth will work in all conditions where other machines can’t work, I bought the Erth this year and in the bad weather in august we sowed all day in the rain and there are cattle grazing it now , no other machine could work that week.
They will all work on a wet day however if the soil is wet dosc drills like the Erth do not like it. They can smear the slot closed and provide difficult germination conditions likewise in heavy damp clay the erth can have a problem closing the slots with the flat roller which again can provide problems. The Simtech will handle these conditions better that said in good conditions the Simtech row spacing is too wide for grass without a double pass and if doing large acres the Simtech running costs are high because of the cost of the wearing parts.
So the Simtech will generally be a better arable drill than the Erth but the Erth a better grassland drill. We have a 32 row Erth drill and like it but no drill is perfect for all conditions.
So the Simtech will generally be a better arable drill than the Erth but the Erth a better grassland drill. We have a 32 row Erth drill and like it but no drill is perfect for all conditions.
Thanks both! Assume you are both running the Pan X model. Other than not getting a full wave (and the fact that 3 legs is simply smaller), are there any other disadvantages/ limitations on the ECO model? Thanks again for all your help!
Sorry, brain freeze. That was the other question mulling around my head. That’s again on direct drill help - ERTH it is for grassland / herbal ley!
- Location
- Ceredigion
Simtec not good for Overseeding if you have stones in the soil
- Location
- Leicestershire
Worth looking at the Moore Unidrill as well... There's a few around our area. Been around for years. Looks like Agri-Linc are making them now...
ollie989898
Member
If it's fudging wet and particularly in soil with any clay content don't try and direct drill. I can't stress it enough. You need dry soil at depth so the slot is opened cleanly, some finer soil is generated or falls into the opening and sits around the seed and finally the slot closes half sensible.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
No experience of the Earth, but I had an old Moore Unidrill (discs) briefly. I sold it on for the reasons described by @hally , after a wet Autumn on heavy soils. I replaced it with a Simtech, which I have since replaced with new (thanks to the grant). I find it a more flexible drill, moving more soil to create a bit of tilt ground the seed.
Two passes needed with the Simtech really imo, for any grass other than short term IRG/Westerwolds.
For my farm, drilling various crops & grass, into cultivated ground & DD, and on heavy’ish soils, I am happy I’ve made the right choice.
As above though, no drill is perfect in all situations. If it’s too wet, you really should be packing up anyway, ime.
Two passes needed with the Simtech really imo, for any grass other than short term IRG/Westerwolds.
For my farm, drilling various crops & grass, into cultivated ground & DD, and on heavy’ish soils, I am happy I’ve made the right choice.
As above though, no drill is perfect in all situations. If it’s too wet, you really should be packing up anyway, ime.
- Location
- Ceredigion
Follow a disc drill with a heavy roller. If its-to wet to role dont drill- not much soil visible then put rakes down hard,
- Location
- Ceredigion
Direct Drilled Grass in wet conditions drilled nearly 4 weeks ago .
Same field shows the Cultivated part thats not dealing with all the rain we have had like the direct drilled part
Erth Agriseeder
Same field shows the Cultivated part thats not dealing with all the rain we have had like the direct drilled part
Erth Agriseeder
agri knives
Member
- Location
- middle of ireland
I’ve cattle out today on grass sowed by the Erth 6 weeks ago, if it had been tilled there would be no cattle on it.
A very timely thread, thanks.
Our cultivated reseeds have absolutely died a sad death this miserable Autumn. For this reason I'm looking at drills to stitch in with to try and avoid a repeat in the future. Also our grazing fields are horrendous now and will need some reseeding.
Drill to mainly be used for grass, possibly OSR at times, covers and some opportunistic cereals. But grass the priority.
Like the Agriseeder the most so far. Considering a Baker boot, with Simtech being local, but don't want to cross drill if possible. Also would rather have a hydraulic fan as opposed to a box drill, within budget.
Can't really imagine the Agriseeder penetrating baked out ground, although they have machines going off to Australia so perhaps it is capable. But that is not really the situation I would be looking to use it in. More Spring and Autumn stitching into living sward and sometimes burnt off ley. Seen a post on here about the Agriseeder leaving seed on top, again I imagine that is condition dependent, but without being able to see the machine running (don't know of any in East Anglia) then it'll be a leap of faith.
Our cultivated reseeds have absolutely died a sad death this miserable Autumn. For this reason I'm looking at drills to stitch in with to try and avoid a repeat in the future. Also our grazing fields are horrendous now and will need some reseeding.
Drill to mainly be used for grass, possibly OSR at times, covers and some opportunistic cereals. But grass the priority.
Like the Agriseeder the most so far. Considering a Baker boot, with Simtech being local, but don't want to cross drill if possible. Also would rather have a hydraulic fan as opposed to a box drill, within budget.
Can't really imagine the Agriseeder penetrating baked out ground, although they have machines going off to Australia so perhaps it is capable. But that is not really the situation I would be looking to use it in. More Spring and Autumn stitching into living sward and sometimes burnt off ley. Seen a post on here about the Agriseeder leaving seed on top, again I imagine that is condition dependent, but without being able to see the machine running (don't know of any in East Anglia) then it'll be a leap of faith.
- Location
- Ceredigion
I would not worry abouut a-bit of grass seed on top privided there is-vissable soil,in that case put the rakes down hard and put a heavy roller over it
If it’s a direct drill it’s a direct drill, what you use it for is your concern as long as it meets their specs that’s all you need