Grass Seed Drill

[ollie989898]

Rolling not always advisable until established

No, I disagree, you don't want to be rolling emerged grass TBH. If it's dry: roll it. Good soil to seed contact always improves grass establishment and also deters slug movement.

 

[Kevtherev]

Would an old moore unidrill be suitable? @Kevtherev will know

Old direct drill yes but for economical overseeding chainharrow or einbock broadcast seed on and roll.

 

[Muck Spreader]

I'll grab some pictures in the daylight for ya.
Basically it's a lot like a cambridge roller but V rings, with a chain drive from the axle that drives a simple seed box (and fert box but that is stuffed, hence why I got it so cheap)
The seed just falls down behind the roller but into the little valleys, so it is halfway to being covered already - even a light set of harrows upside down would cover it enough but another pass really firms it down. Grass likes a firm bed.

I bid $18 (£10) and ended up owning it

Obviously - it is a roller, so not much fun to move far, but for 20 acres it's both a roller and a drill, so it could be a cost effective thing to look at.
It's also very basic, pull a rope to disengage and let it go to seed - nothing much can go wrong unless the chain comes off (or you don't put seed in it)

We have something similar and it is by far the best thing we have for reseed on a tilth.

 

[Ukjay]

I'll grab some pictures in the daylight for ya.
Basically it's a lot like a cambridge roller but V rings, with a chain drive from the axle that drives a simple seed box (and fert box but that is stuffed, hence why I got it so cheap)
The seed just falls down behind the roller but into the little valleys, so it is halfway to being covered already - even a light set of harrows upside down would cover it enough but another pass really firms it down. Grass likes a firm bed.

I bid $18 (£10) and ended up owning it

Obviously - it is a roller, so not much fun to move far, but for 20 acres it's both a roller and a drill, so it could be a cost effective thing to look at.
It's also very basic, pull a rope to disengage and let it go to seed - nothing much can go wrong unless the chain comes off (or you don't put seed in it)

Well, we need a roller for the paddocks, so if I could in anyway combine the two - it would be perfect, but I fear that will not be possible.

 

[Ukjay]

Old direct drill yes but for economical overseeding chainharrow or einbock broadcast seed on and roll.

So what would I use to spread the seed Kev, as my chain harrows do not have a seed dispenser

 

[Ukjay]

We have something similar and it is by far the best thing we have for reseed on a tilth.

View attachment 693204

Just curious - but ours still has grass on, not bare soil, so would it still work?

 

[hendrebc]

So what would I use to spread the seed Kev, as my chain harrows do not have a seed dispenser

If you have a fertilizer spreader you could use that. There are lots of small vicon wagtails about and the smaller ones that wont hold a 600kg bag are very cheap because no one wants them but they are as good as anything for broadcasting seeds

 

[dazza b]

No, I disagree, you don't want to be rolling emerged grass TBH. If it's dry: roll it. Good soil to seed contact always improves grass establishment and also deters slug movement.

It’s all good till you get the big thunder showers on a nicely rolled seed bed bye bye soil on our hills lots of work levelling wasted so I don’t until it’s established and been grazed

 

[Ukjay]

If you have a fertilizer spreader you could use that. There are lots of small vicon wagtails about and the smaller ones that wont hold a 600kg bag are very cheap because no one wants them but they are as good as anything for broadcasting seeds

You must think i'm some sort of farmer - a fertilizer spreader ffs

 

[hendrebc]

You must think i'm some sort of farmer - a fertilizer spreader ffs

You will pick up a little vicon for a few hundred ££s or even less. Cheap, simple and parts are readily available if you do break something

 

[roscoe erf]

quad bike spinner

 

[Muck Spreader]

Just curious - but ours still has grass on, not bare soil, so would it still work?

If it's for improving an existing sward we generally use an Aitchison direct drill. Here drilling Moha into an existing 10 yr old grass ley a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Ukjay]

If it's for improving an existing sward we generally use an Aitchison direct drill. Here drilling Moha into an existing 10 yr old grass ley a couple of weeks ago.
View attachment 693480

Thanks for that - just a question for my understanding, what does that do different to the like of a MF30 with discs, as I see that is a disc unit?
Apologies if this seems logical - but I am obviously not a real farmer, as many will have observed

 

[Kevtherev]

You must think i'm some sort of farmer - a fertilizer spreader ffs

Plenty of little vicons about or use a slug Pelleter on quad bike to sow it.

 

[Muck Spreader]

Thanks for that - just a question for my understanding, what does that do different to the like of a MF30 with discs, as I see that is a disc unit?
Apologies if this seems logical - but I am obviously not a real farmer, as many will have observed

I suppose the main difference is that a direct grass drill is a lot more robust. It has discs to cut the sward then a small carborundum tipped ducks feet to make a channels and clear any existing plants and drop the seed in. Something like a MF30 is designed to sow seed in already cultivated and prepared soil. Dragging it across pasture it wouldn't be able penetrate the soil, so probably worse than say just broadcasting and raking.

 

[milkloss]

Thanks for that - just a question for my understanding, what does that do different to the like of a MF30 with discs, as I see that is a disc unit?
Apologies if this seems logical - but I am obviously not a real farmer, as many will have observed

They cut a tunnel in the old sward that gives a place for the seed to germinate and capillary action to draw moisture without the problem of sunlight and wind. Try google. They do have an issue with slugs though as once they get in the groove it’s like a smorgasbord for slugs!

The old disc drills don’t work particularly well as I don’t think they cut a consistent groove and then the cut can reopen as the ground dries.

 

[JD-Kid]

the likes of the. MF30 being. a disc drill ok in sandy soils but not as good in clays better with a tine drill for all round drilling
a. roller behind helps alot even if a t slot opening
fan seeder and. harrows. a bit of a waste of time in my view too much seed. left on top poor seed to soil contact

 

[Ukjay]

OK thanks all - will have a look around at some kit options!

 

[hendrebc]

@holwellcourtfarm bought a cheap direct drill but i cant remember what it was or wether it would sow small seeds like grass. I think it was an international drill but could be wrong

 

[Ukjay]

@holwellcourtfarm bought a cheap direct drill but i cant remember what it was or wether it would sow small seeds like grass. I think it was an international drill but could be wrong

Thanks Hendrebc,

I will have to go around a view some equipment to get an idea on what will be suitable (pick peoples brains so to speak) - as we are still looking for a house down Monmouth / Gloucestershire area, so can go to some resellers