Disc or tine

[North East Crofter]

Right guys, having taken an interest in the direct drilling threads for a while whats the difference between a disc or tine direct drill other than the obvious!

I am interested in the potential benefits of improving soil structure and organic matter on our fine sandy loam / sandy silt loam soils mainly cropping spring barley and grass but looking at other options such as cover crops back to some winter crops

What conditions favour a disc or tine? Not looking for specific manufacturers more interested in what the experienced direct drillers have found are the problems or benefits of each type.

Look forward to your comments and discussions.

Gavin

 

[Jim Bullock]

My initial answer would be that you want the option of both looking at your location. But a disc might just be your best option if you are sandy silt loams which by nature are usually fairly free draining. The difference between success and failure with direct-drilling is the soils ability to absorb and get rid of excess water..

 

[Steevo]

The difference between success and failure with direct-drilling is the soils ability to absorb and get rid of excess water..

Summed up perfectly there. This goes for before and immediately (a few weeks) after drilling.

 

[North East Crofter]

My initial answer would be that you want the option of both looking at your location. But a disc might just be your best option if you are sandy silt loams which by nature are usually fairly free draining. The difference between success and failure with direct-drilling is the soils ability to absorb and get rid of excess water..

The main problem we have is while we dont have a particularly high rainfall (approx 750-800 mm per year) be dont have the evapotaransporation that you guys will get down south, also the underlying subsoil isnt as freely drained as the topsoil, one of my neighbours is direct drilling wheat after OSR this year with a Horsch and the seedbed looks pretty good.

I take it from your comments that tine drills work better in heavier soils.

Thanks for the feedback, will keep investigating.

Regards

Gavin