750a ...+roll?

[moretimeforgolf]

Drilling wheat this autumn will be my first use of a 750a ...Still on the assembly line as I write!
One of the main reasons for opting for the JD was the minimal soil disturbance.
My question to those who have experience with the drill is whether to follow with a roll or not? I was hoping not to because the roll is likely to encourage more weeds to grow. Perhaps in practice the seed needs to be firmed in more than the drill itself can do? (Gutlers fitted).

 

[SilliamWhale]

Go with your gut feeling. Sometimes I do sometimes I don't need to. I usually don't bother unless slug pressure is high etc. but tending to do it more nowadays just in case. The drill will definitely firm your seed in anyway.

 

[Steevo]

Impressive to hear of someone who has bought a brand new 750a. Didn't think JD were too keen to sell them. Would love to learn more.

P.S I would roll after everything possible now. It's a cheap pass, and can make a big difference.

 

[martian]

I wouldn't bother, rolling is recreational behind the 750a most of the time, tho' can be worth doing as Will says if you're worried about slugs etc. And (this is the killer for me) you can't really see where you've been, unlike on cultivated ground, which takes all the fun out of the job...

 

[Neddy flanders]

Think I drive a different 750 to everyone else. Definitely roll.

 

[Simon Chiles]

Drilling wheat this autumn will be my first use of a 750a ...Still on the assembly line as I write!
One of the main reasons for opting for the JD was the minimal soil disturbance.
My question to those who have experience with the drill is whether to follow with a roll or not? I was hoping not to because the roll is likely to encourage more weeds to grow. Perhaps in practice the seed needs to be firmed in more than the drill itself can do? (Gutlers fitted).

What soil type are you on? You're less likely to need to roll on lighter ground and will also need to roll less on heavier ground the more years you dd.
Seed firming is done by the press wheel, the art is to balance the effect of coulter pressure, press wheel pressure and Guttler pressure and they all can effect the other settings, once you have a feel for it it's easy, I could just look at the soil now and I'd have a good idea where it would be needed to be set at, I've also got good at doing it over the phone for people hundreds of miles away!!
I certainly wouldn't roll in all conditions, I've been drilling in conditions that rolling would be the worst thing you could do. The need to roll behind a 750 would be no different than any other method of establishment, only you can decide on the day, and you already know what conditions are suitable for rolling and which aren't.

 

[moretimeforgolf]

Thanks guys for your opinions. Sounds like setting the drill up will be more of a head-scratcher than whether to roll or not! I have a mixture of soil types, often varying within the field. Looks like I'll be doing a bit of experimenting - probably leaving the lighter ground unrolled.
No views on how it affects weed germination?
Steevo, if you want a new 750a make sure you order early. Had no trouble getting a quote, so ordered early in April, led to believe 3 months delivery, looks like being on farm at end of this month! Does look like John Deere are trying to put people off .... or maybe its just the fact that it is built in a French factory ..

 

[Clive]

Most of the time I wouldn't bother - if slugs might be an issue (after osr etc) then I do

 

[martian]

No views on how it affects weed germination?.

It depends on how much trash there is...I suspect that you won't get much bg germination under a blanket of chopped straw whether you roll or not, but where the straw has been baled, for instance, rolling will encourage a bit more of a chit

 

[Fuzzy]

Thanks guys for your opinions. Sounds like setting the drill up will be more of a head-scratcher than whether to roll or not! I have a mixture of soil types, often varying within the field. Looks like I'll be doing a bit of experimenting - probably leaving the lighter ground unrolled.
No views on how it affects weed germination?
Steevo, if you want a new 750a make sure you order early. Had no trouble getting a quote, so ordered early in April, led to believe 3 months delivery, looks like being on farm at end of this month! Does look like John Deere are trying to put people off .... or maybe its just the fact that it is built in a French factory ..

The french don't work in August all factories shut down !!! So if you dont get it in July ...........

 

[Clive]

Thanks guys for your opinions. Sounds like setting the drill up will be more of a head-scratcher than whether to roll or not! I have a mixture of soil types, often varying within the field. Looks like I'll be doing a bit of experimenting - probably leaving the lighter ground unrolled.
No views on how it affects weed germination?
Steevo, if you want a new 750a make sure you order early. Had no trouble getting a quote, so ordered early in April, led to believe 3 months delivery, looks like being on farm at end of this month! Does look like John Deere are trying to put people off .... or maybe its just the fact that it is built in a French factory ..

Do you have a plan b In case the next delivery deadline slips ? I would not be happy in your situation

And don't worry re set-up - I was concerned when we had ours but its actually very easy and pretty logical

 

[TWF]

Think I drive a different 750 to everyone else. Definitely roll.

But don't you plough and cultivate in front of yours.

I would of thought if you were DD'ing you would get away with out. Not a user but would love to own one as a second drill.

 

[benferg]

we roll but not very often. More to do with stones (wholecrop and silage paddocks) than slugs.

 

[moretimeforgolf]

Do you have a plan b In case the next delivery deadline slips ? I would not be happy in your situation

And don't worry re set-up - I was concerned when we had ours but its actually very easy and pretty logical

Too right, I'm not happy. Plan b is the 3m 750a which was at Cereals ... John Deere have said that can come here if I want it.

 

[Simon Chiles]

Too right, I'm not happy. Plan b is the 3m 750a which was at Cereals ... John Deere have said that can come here if I want it.

3m would be capable of drilling 1500 acres/ year in most years, 75+ acres/day, so not a bad plan b. If it takes too long your new one might still be new next year!

 

[KJM]

What soil type are you on? You're less likely to need to roll on lighter ground and will also need to roll less on heavier ground the more years you dd.
Seed firming is done by the press wheel, the art is to balance the effect of coulter pressure, press wheel pressure and Guttler pressure and they all can effect the other settings, once you have a feel for it it's easy, I could just look at the soil now and I'd have a good idea where it would be needed to be set at, I've also got good at doing it over the phone for people hundreds of miles away!!
I certainly wouldn't roll in all conditions, I've been drilling in conditions that rolling would be the worst thing you could do. The need to roll behind a 750 would be no different than any other method of establishment, only you can decide on the day, and you already know what conditions are suitable for rolling and which aren't.

Certainly have, thanks for your help earlier in the season.

Keith

 

[marco]

I'm having trouble seeing the scribe mark when running in last seasons rows. disks are new any ideas? has anyone tryed putting a tyne behind the disk to get a bit more of a mark?

 

[Andrew K]

Anyone running a 750 on London clays successfully?

 

[KJM]

I'm having trouble seeing the scribe mark when running in last seasons rows. disks are new any ideas? has anyone tryed putting a tyne behind the disk to get a bit more of a mark?

Would adding foam blob markers be an option? Although past experiences with them on sprayers have only led to frustration. I have taken the markers off my drill and run on GPS which works well.

 

[Clive]

I'm having trouble seeing the scribe mark when running in last seasons rows. disks are new any ideas? has anyone tryed putting a tyne behind the disk to get a bit more of a mark?

Don't know how anyone manages to zero till without GPS, it's so hard to see to see what you have drilled sometimes

I guess basic guidance or I have seen a drill with a foam marker before