New Weaving DD drill

[willy]

Handbags at dawn.

I must admit it is becoming a bit boring, new comers old timers all with their own experiences and best practice.

But there is no correct way, each farmer has different reasons for their decisions. But quite frankly the only aim for all of us is long term financial gain, and we will only know if we are right in 50 years time.

 

[Richard III]

Unfortunately I have come to the conclusion that Jim is right about it being a bit like a sect, and it has made me less inclined to enter discussions as much as I did in the old FF days. If you don't run a JD750a you are certainly not in the sect!

I have held back from "owning up" to running a Weaving GD this autumn because of that, and have read with not a little irritation some of the uninformed nonsense on here about it. It is true we had a bit of a problem with the pressure on the discs initially, leading to the drill actually tilting to one side after a few hours running,which entailed resetting the pressure and locking it again. This was all due to how the hydraulic plumbing was done, and after Weavings seriously replumbed it all was well. There is still a minor problem with the durability of the scrapers, but that is being dealt with, Weavings are a good company to deal with.

We have since had no problem with penetration even when dry, and it is particularly effective keeping constant wheat and rape depths which was why we like it on our ground (my italics)

It has been used on about 600 acs, of rape after wheat,2nd wheats and first wheats after rape and borage. It was used in the spring for borage with success. So far I am pleased with the results.

I also run a T sem which is a good little drill, especially for "incorporating" biosolids, it is less inclined to hairpin straw and will go in much wetter "fire brigade" conditions! But it lacks any sophistication in the depth control area (which may or may not be important?) and is not as low disturbance as the GD.

I suspect the GD may not be ideal for winter bean drilling depths? but we don't grow beans so no prob. But don't lets knock the drill because its not a 750a, I have to say that last spring I visited a neighbour using a 750 on the same day we were using the GD and the GD was making a much better job, that flap of soil that the seed is injected under is a breakthrough in comparison to a vertical slot.

Light the blue touchpaper and stand well back!!!!

cb

I know what you mean about it feeling like a 750a sect cb, I think a lot of it comes about due to the two most prolific posters on here being 750a fans, and it is of course a very good drill. I held back a little at first about saying I have a GD drill, because I don't want to be the only one on here giving an opinion. If I have got something wrong and post it on a public forum I may promote someone to buy a drill they later regret, or cause Weavings to lose drill sales wrongly. However, I decided a while ago to come clean and no one has said anything about any of my posts that I have a problem with.

When the GD drill thread first started I was amazed at how many people came out of the woodwork to say what a good drill it was, it was one of the reasons I took a punt on the GD drill. IMO the only way the over exposure of the 750a drill on here will change is if people like us post about our drills too.

I do think there is an issue with cross slot users posting on here, I want to know what they are doing and how well their systems work, but many seem happier to hide on twitter.

Which drill have you got? I have the 3m, and it will lean one way or the other in work if I don't have the lower link arms completely level. You seem to have got on better than me with ground penetration, which is interesting, I think mine goes in the ground reasonably well until it hits thicker trash. May be some of my problem is due to poor trash spreading, I know it could be improved. Overall I am certainly happy with my drill so far, but i think it will need several seasons of use to fully appreciate all it's strengths and weaknesses. As you say, slot closure is a revolution on this drill.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Handbags at dawn.

I must admit it is becoming a bit boring, new comers old timers all with their own experiences and best practice.

But there is no correct way, each farmer has different reasons for their decisions. But quite frankly the only aim for all of us is long term financial gain, and we will only know if we are right in 50 years time.

My handbag isnt swinging. Drills dont define farmers

 

[willy]

My handbag isnt swinging. Drills dont define farmers

Will I have to say you are one of the more open minded ones

 

[charlesbrown]

I know what you mean about it feeling like a 750a sect cb, I think a lot of it comes about due to the two most prolific posters on here being 750a fans, and it is of course a very good drill. I held back a little at first about saying I have a GD drill, because I don't want to be the only one on here giving an opinion. If I have got something wrong and post it on a public forum I may promote someone to buy a drill they later regret, or cause Weavings to lose drill sales wrongly. However, I decided a while ago to come clean and no one has said anything about any of my posts that I have a problem with.

When the GD drill thread first started I was amazed at how many people came out of the woodwork to say what a good drill it was, it was one of the reasons I took a punt on the GD drill. IMO the only way the over exposure of the 750a drill on here will change is if people like us post about our drills too.

I do think there is an issue with cross slot users posting on here, I want to know what they are doing and how well their systems work, but many seem happier to hide on twitter.

Which drill have you got? I have the 3m, and it will lean one way or the other in work if I don't have the lower link arms completely level. You seem to have got on better than me with ground penetration, which is interesting, I think mine goes in the ground reasonably well until it hits thicker trash. May be some of my problem is due to poor trash spreading, I know it could be improved. Overall I am certainly happy with my drill so far, but i think it will need several seasons of use to fully appreciate all it's strengths and weaknesses. As you say, slot closure is a revolution on this drill.

I know what you mean about it feeling like a 750a sect cb, I think a lot of it comes about due to the two most prolific posters on here being 750a fans, and it is of course a very good drill. I held back a little at first about saying I have a GD drill, because I don't want to be the only one on here giving an opinion. If I have got something wrong and post it on a public forum I may promote someone to buy a drill they later regret, or cause Weavings to lose drill sales wrongly. However, I decided a while ago to come clean and no one has said anything about any of my posts that I have a problem with.

When the GD drill thread first started I was amazed at how many people came out of the woodwork to say what a good drill it was, it was one of the reasons I took a punt on the GD drill. IMO the only way the over exposure of the 750a drill on here will change is if people like us post about our drills too.

I do think there is an issue with cross slot users posting on here, I want to know what they are doing and how well their systems work, but many seem happier to hide on twitter.

Which drill have you got? I have the 3m, and it will lean one way or the other in work if I don't have the lower link arms completely level. You seem to have got on better than me with ground penetration, which is interesting, I think mine goes in the ground reasonably well until it hits thicker trash. May be some of my problem is due to poor trash spreading, I know it could be improved. Overall I am certainly happy with my drill so far, but i think it will need several seasons of use to fully appreciate all it's strengths and weaknesses. As you say, slot closure is a revolution on this drill.

I should have said its the 3m, behind a Valtra T160 which handles it well , even with 1.25t up.
It also has a Stocks slug pelleter plumbed in to the air.

What type of soil are you on (we are Hanslope series chalky boulder clay) and how long have you been dd Richard, cos I'm sure those factors have a bearing on penetration.

Our combine (Axial flow) does not have the best straw spread, its chops it well but if there is any wind it is difficult to spread evenly (in spite of vanes adjustable from the cab). This was especialy problematic after WOSR this year and we ended up harrowing three times to spread it, but actually I think this helped control the huge slug load so was OK!

But no problem with penetration, it perhaps helped that the discs are new?

With regard to the tilting, has your drill been replumbed? It transformed our machine. Any trouble with the scrapers?

Stick with it!!

cb

 

[colhonk]

Can someone post pics of the emergence of wheat from a GD please.
Looked at 750a many many years ago,apart from the large price then, would not work on brick clay.

 

[Richard III]

I should have said its the 3m, behind a Valtra T160 which handles it well , even with 1.25t up.
It also has a Stocks slug pelleter plumbed in to the air.

What type of soil are you on (we are Hanslope series chalky boulder clay) and how long have you been dd Richard, cos I'm sure those factors have a bearing on penetration.

Our combine (Axial flow) does not have the best straw spread, its chops it well but if there is any wind it is difficult to spread evenly (in spite of vanes adjustable from the cab). This was especialy problematic after WOSR this year and we ended up harrowing three times to spread it, but actually I think this helped control the huge slug load so was OK!

But no problem with penetration, it perhaps helped that the discs are new?

With regard to the tilting, has your drill been replumbed? It transformed our machine. Any trouble with the scrapers?

Stick with it!!

cb

I'm on a fairly easy silty loam over clay, my soil is probably lighter but has less natural structure than yours.

I've been DD a similar time to you I think, and I am a long term Sim-Tec user too. I'm going into my 7th year now, I used to be Mr Bean in the days you speak of on BFF.

I think my drill is a very early one, it arrived at the end of June from memory, so it probably does need a replumb. I will ask Simon.

I've had no issue with the scrapers, but the drill has done less than 300 acres so far. I took some ELS boundaries out this time and there was some small black thorne in it, unfortunately the tyres didn't like the thorns much. My understanding is that the tyres are no different to a vaddy though.

There is another GD owner only a few miles down the road from me, they are on Twitter as SoultonHall. They seem to be in the early days of DD, but I've not had chance to speak with them yet, they appear happy owners though.

Richard.

 

[Richard III]

Can someone post pics of the emergence of wheat from a GD please.
Looked at 750a many many years ago,apart from the large price then, would not work on brick clay.

Wheat into ex. ELS ground at the end of Oct. Herbicide so far, glyphosate 2 weeks pre drilling.

Wheat after beans, at the end of Oct. Herbicide so far, none.

Wheat two days ago, after rape. Herbicide so far, glyphosate 1 week post drilling.

 

[marco]

I don't think we have a single field where the soil is consistent from one side to the other..(Av field size 6.8 ha) The map was never conceived as being a definitive instrument in deciding whether or not direct drilling was going to work on your land or soils ...just a guide.
I am concerned that I have joined some form of sect (a bit like the organic movement 10 years ago before it became more mainstream) where you must not question the "higher authorities". I think DKN suggested at the last BASE AGM that we ought to have a speaker in who dis-agreed with the CA/No-till concept. I am 100% in favour of the system but I am not blinkered by the fact that there are problems and on occasion it will not work. We have Wolfgang Sturny speaking at the BASE AGM in February and the last presentation I heard of his he said that if your soils were prone to waterlogging for what ever reason you should be careful if you are planning to direct drill.. that was in 2006 so I will be interested to hear what he has to say ten years on..

The problem is therefore not the drill, surely its your soils. If as you have said before that your soils are high MG with poor drainage and aeration then why do you not try the principals of Albrecht and/or reams with regards to CA/MG ratios? Surly this and increasing organic would be a reasonable road to go down?

 

[charlesbrown]

Wheat into ex. ELS ground at the end of Oct. Herbicide so far, glyphosate 2 weeks pre drilling.
View attachment 252370

Wheat after beans, at the end of Oct. Herbicide so far, none.
View attachment 252372

Wheat two days ago, after rape. Herbicide so far, glyphosate 1 week post drilling.
View attachment 252374

Get some anti puncture gel put in the tyres, Weaving came and did it for us after we had punctures. Have only had one since, its useful to keep a spare wheel bolted to the drill. I'm not sure that I wouldn't prefer a steel wheel with a scraper actually.

Crops look good, its reassuring to think of all those lovely roots doing there work and not being too "showey" on top!! (IYKWIM!)

You would have been at the Robert Plumb talk in Whittlesea 2011 then? Still trying to figure out what that was all about?

cb

 

[Richard III]

Get some anti puncture gel put in the tyres, Weaving came and did it for us after we had punctures. Have only had one since, its useful to keep a spare wheel bolted to the drill. I'm not sure that I wouldn't prefer a steel wheel with a scraper actually.

Crops look good, its reassuring to think of all those lovely roots doing there work and not being too "showey" on top!! (IYKWIM!)

You would have been at the Robert Plumb talk in Whittlesea 2011 then? Still trying to figure out what that was all about?

cb

Hmmm, salesmen, I was told no one else had suffered from puncture problems!

The GD drill replaced a Moore Unidrill, I am surprised at how much less top growth there is compared to that in the autumn.

Yes I was at the Plumbo talk, and I remember meeting you there.

 

[dontknowanything]

Why is a forum for direct drilling a sect?

Are we supposed to discuss other things?-

It doesnt matter what drill is used really, they are equally capable it just depends on how you chose to manage your system. Sounds like oversensivity about drills to me!

I don't think he said the whole forum is a sect.

Maybe if you can't see it then you're in it?

 

[SilliamWhale]

How do i get out of the sect?

 

[Dockers]

Roll your trousers up to the knees, turn around three times, and then fly to the left on your JD broomstick. !!

 

[dontknowanything]

How do i get out of the sect?

You can't, it's like the mafia

 

[Louis Mc]

How do i get out of the sect?

Plough occasionally just to prove you are open minded.......

 

[dontknowanything]

How do i get out of the sect?

I'm sad to see you've removed your mankini avatar

 

[Simon Chiles]

How do i get out of the sect?

As it's only a figment of someone else's imagination I think we're stuck there, don't worry about it.

 

[marco]

If you plough and you like to talk about ploughing are you in a sect? What are the chances of going into the dd section of the farming forum only to find out everyone is talking about direct drilling?

 

[dontknowanything]

If you plough and you like to talk about ploughing are you in a sect? What are the chances of going into the dd section of the farming forum only to find out everyone is talking about direct drilling?

It's not "people talking about direct drilling", it's an attitude. There's not much point in discussing it, you either see it or you don't.