Claydon drill

[PI Stsker]

Currently a traditional set up; plough/ heavy cultivations then drill but looking at going straight in to stubble or minimum amount of tillage.
Looking at a Claydon, are they any good…?

Cropping consists of wheat, barley, oats, maize & grass but obviously would only be for cereal crops.

 

[Pottersfarm]

Currently a traditional set up; plough/ heavy cultivations then drill but looking at going straight in to stubble or minimum amount of tillage.
Looking at a Claydon, are they any good…?

Cropping consists of wheat, barley, oats, maize & grass but obviously would only be for cereal crops.

Sold ours after 5 years. They don’t follow contours properly as the coulters are fixed to the frame. If you use it as a direct drill then you’ll have some open slots so don’t sell the camdridge rolls or power Harrow as these are good at closing the slots.

if you use it into min tilled soils late on for grass weed control you won’t have open slots but you will germinate the grass weeds whilst your planting your crop as they disturb lots of soil.

Where we’ve used it we’ve also started suffering from brome where as where we’ve combi drilled there isn’t brome. We lost a chunk of money on it as well so don’t buy new.

If it’s mounted you want the weaving is a better option for going direct as it disturbs less soil.

 

[PI Stsker]

Sold ours after 5 years. They don’t follow contours properly as the coulters are fixed to the frame. If you use it as a direct drill then you’ll have some open slots so don’t sell the camdridge rolls or power Harrow as these are good at closing the slots.

if you use it into min tilled soils late on for grass weed control you won’t have open slots but you will germinate the grass weeds whilst your planting your crop as they disturb lots of soil.

Where we’ve used it we’ve also started suffering from brome where as where we’ve combi drilled there isn’t brome. We lost a chunk of money on it as well so don’t buy new.

Defiantly looking the seccond hand route.
What did you replace with out of Interest as do all of ours with either a 3m combi drill or an old 4m accord so what ever it is would be a big step up.

 

[Andy12345]

Don't really like the drill and on any sort of slope with a mounted Hybrid wityh it crabbing it opens the drill spacing up. Have seen more meadow grass and rye grass after going away from the plough , picture paints a thousand words.
I wouldn't have one !

 

[FMF74]

Try and find a sprinter with Bourgault conversion

 

[ollie989898]

Depending on the soil type they can leave the surface quite coarse and with an opened seed slot as already mentioned. You will may need to consider rolling behind it to get decent coverage and consolidation.

I walked a lot of Claydon'ed crops and I didn't feel the grass weeds were encouraged by the row spacing.

They were big money new and came into fashion and then sort of went out of fashion, you may be able to pick up quite a bargain.

I don't think you will find anyone who recommends that you sell your plough and associated equipment if you have known grass weed issues. There will be situations and fields where the claydon can be used advantageously and others where actually you'd prefer to plough- your rotation suggests you will probably keep using it rotationally at least anyway.

 

[Salopian_Will]

Have one. Love it and hate it in equal measure.
Love the savings of not burning lots of diesel and fewer tractor hours compared to the trio/combination drill.
-covers the ground more quickly
- ground travels much better
- very good for rape and beans
But establishment is compromised given the lack of coulter contour following and slugs love it (particularly this year). Getting the depth right can drive you crazy on banks.

We tend to need to run a disc in front after rape and for second wheats. It is rare we drill ‘direct’. If you cannot roll it is a problem. This year we are using the straw rake where it is too wet to roll.

We’ve kept the combination drill and would be using it this week but the ground is too wet to even plough. Will use the combination for spring cereals.

We are in the wet west on heavy land. On medium ground it would be a doddle.

 

[Andy12345]

Depending on the soil type they can leave the surface quite coarse and with an opened seed slot as already mentioned. You will may need to consider rolling behind it to get decent coverage and consolidation.

I walked a lot of Claydon'ed crops and I didn't feel the grass weeds were encouraged by the row spacing.

They were big money new and came into fashion and then sort of went out of fashion, you may be able to pick up quite a bargain.

I don't think you will find anyone who recommends that you sell your plough and associated equipment if you have known grass weed issues. There will be situations and fields where the claydon can be used advantageously and others where actually you'd prefer to plough- your rotation suggests you will probably keep using it rotationally at least anyway.

A very expensive stubble turnip drill

 

[ollie989898]

A very expensive stubble turnip drill

I thought it was the business for barley (especially winter barley), OSR and in particular, beans. I can see how it would fall down on some soil types though.

 

[ccp contracting]

People say they are no good if you have a grass problem , but there are people who use a plough who still have a grass problem .

 

[Drillman]

A neighbour of mine has a 4m claydon. Some he goes in direct other fields get a pass with something else first. Out of all the direct type drills going locally it seems to give the most consistent results. This land right now is plough and combi drill stuff really, but it be interesting to see how it coped.

 

[Cow1]

Get a Mzuri instead, consistent seeding depth and contour following. No open slots either