Another drilling question, Massey 30 drill

[farmer phil]

We have ploughed some of our land which dries out nicely on the top when it stops raining but is quite soft underneath the surface. Normally we go ok with the combi but the weight this year is a big issue. Thinking of going back to basics, power harrowing first shallow, leaving for 24 hours rain free, and then drilling with something like an MF30. How successful are these drills at travelling on land that is a bit softer. Could run the tractor without weights or press, low tyre pressures, reasonable forward speed, etc. Are these drills fairly light or would it sink out of sight?

 

[Wombat]

What width? Ours will go even when soft but we only min till. Biggest issue on ours is the end tow drawbar when wet

 

[farmer phil]

What width? Ours will go even when soft but we only min till. Biggest issue on ours is the end tow drawbar when wet

I've seen a 4 metre for sale, looks to have quite wide tyres

 

[Wombat]

Ours is 4, with some weather and a bit of speed it will knock most stuff down. I have to run with the end tow drawbar down if damp on our clays

 

[Clive]

The “24 hours rain free” could be the flaw in your otherwise genius plan !

 

[Wombat]

The “24 hours rain free” could be the flaw in your otherwise genius plan !

24mins is a stretch at the moment

 

[Wombat]

Also how much do you want to drill?

 

[bobk]

I've had a couple , do tend to plough it in on soft ground

 

[Wombat]

I've had a couple , do tend to plough it in on soft ground

Just don’t pressure them up too much.

 

[farmer phil]

The “24 hours rain free” could be the flaw in your otherwise genius plan !

I'm the eternal optimist.

 

[bobk]

Just don’t pressure them up too much.

How do you do that ? oops

 

[farmer phil]

Also how much do you want to drill?

Forecast a few dry days next week, although granted they have been known to be slightly wrong sometimes!
Weve got about 200 acres to drill, maybe some for a neighbour too if worked well.

 

[Wombat]

Set the stops on the coulter bar to take the pressure off then move the bottom ram pin into another hole

 

[Wombat]

Forecast a few dry days next week, although granted they have been known to be slightly wrong sometimes!
Weve got about 200 acres to drill, maybe some for a neighbour too if worked well.

In nice conditions without going nuts a 4m will pop 50 acres a day in easily if you don’t have to fold up and move a lot. I am hoping if it ever dries up I can do 75acres in the day

 

[bobk]

In nice conditions without going nuts a 4m will pop 50 acres a day in easily if you don’t have to fold up and move a lot. I am hoping if it ever dries up I can do 75acres in the day

10 acres an hour in big fields

 

[Wombat]

10 acres an hour in big fields

Yup 8-10kph is a nice speed, biggest issue I have is keeping it full as I drill wheat at higher seed rates.

Also all my gate ways and bridges have been widened to make sure I can go across without folding up

 

[Wombat]

This is my old girl going last year. Paid £510 for her about 15yrs ago. Pops our 150 acres in every year cheap as chips

 

[Flat 10]

Do the discs stall in the wet cack?

 

[Wombat]

Do the discs stall in the wet cack?

Not normally, just like running a knife thru a pack of butter

 

[David.]

When I last used one in tacky going, the drill wheel that runs on the drilled land continuously picked up the soil off the last 2 rows, uncovering the seed.