Simba Freeflow on Dutch Openers

[Try to succeed]

Hi folks,

I’ve posted in the past about converting a freeflow onto Metcalfe points. I’m looking to change drilling system and currently unsure whether to have a transition phase trialing strip till and cover crops before moving to DD. However, I don’t want to buy a new drill! I have my trusty freeflow and as above I explored the Metcalfe point but it didn’t seem flexible compared to the Dutch openers. I’m wanting to be in a position to use my freeflow as a direct drill in trial fields where I plan to change my whole system, but also carry on drilling into min till on the rest of the lane until I decide which way to jump. So I suppose this thread is to ask if anyone has successfully installed Dutch openers to a freeflow? Do the legs have the strength to direct drill (peas, barley, wheat, {prob no osr anymore!}, possibly linseed) with one inch to five inch openers? I am thinking remove half the tines and increase stagger, and also remove levelling boards to help trash flow. I’d eventually want to be drilling into high trash situations such as cc debris and chopped straw. Hope this makes sense, almost thinking out loud.

 

[benny6910]

Have you seen this on Facebook?

I’m not sure he is a member on here but I send you his number if you wanted to chat to him about it.

 

[average farmer]

Is he the chap who breaks drills ?

 

[Try to succeed]

Have you seen this on Facebook?

I’m not sure he is a member on here but I send you his number if you wanted to chat to him about it.

Have just gone searching for it and found it. Would be great to talk to him about it, thank you.

 

[Try to succeed]

Is he the chap who breaks drills ?

Have you pimped your freeflow any more @average farmer?

 

[average farmer]

I’ve tried with Metcalfe mini subsoiler legs in the front and lined the drilling tunes up so more of a strip till drill running at just over 8 inches. Problem is trash but only tried it in a nice field which is a bit puffy.
This is the worst bit of the field drilled late February. It’s a bit of new seed I wanted to get planted. The extase and skyscraper look ok considering but the kinetic has not liked it

I

 

[average farmer]

It was direct into wheat stubble

 

[Try to succeed]

I’ve tried with Metcalfe mini subsoiler legs in the front and lined the drilling tunes up so more of a strip till drill running at just over 8 inches. Problem is trash but only tried it in a nice field which is a bit puffy.
This is the worst bit of the field drilled late February. It’s a bit of new seed I wanted to get planted. The extase and skyscraper look ok considering but the kinetic has not liked it

I

Where was the trash collecting? Sounds like the route I’m heading in. Which drill tines have you used? In the bigger scheme of things have you noticed any benefit with the direct drilling? In terms of cost/time/margin per acre.

 

[benny6910]

Is he the chap who breaks drills ?

Yes it is him

 

[average farmer]

The trash was coming up the leading tine and wedging where the drawbar meets the frame .
I used the original freeflow drilling tines same as I’ve used to put fert down when drilling OSR.
As far as time goes I’d have been quicker pulling the pigtail trough and drilling with the vaddy and probably would have had a better crop to. But my freeflow is only 3m
You’re welcome to come and have a look at the drill and the field.
might try a bit more next week or two but think I’ll sell the drill now we’re not goingto be growing any OSR

 

[Try to succeed]

The trash was coming up the leading tine and wedging where the drawbar meets the frame .
I used the original freeflow drilling tines same as I’ve used to put fert down when drilling OSR.
As far as time goes I’d have been quicker pulling the pigtail trough and drilling with the vaddy and probably would have had a better crop to. But my freeflow is only 3m
You’re welcome to come and have a look at the drill and the field.
might try a bit more next week or two but think I’ll sell the drill now we’re not goingto be growing any OSR

Would be great to come have look (yes, with social distancing etc)! What are you going to have in place of osr?

 

[average farmer]

not got a clue yet, will try to grow a longer rotation with less 1st wheats, already grow oats and a few peas might try a few beans ? temped to try ww cover spring wheat ww on a bit or winter barley cc spring wheat.

pop and have a look in a few weeks, got scyscraper nov and feb sown and feb sown extase and kenetic all in the same field. non of it looks very good but its 2nd wheat on a field that does't really suit 2nd wheat.

 

[Case290]

Direct in when it was soft but dry enough not to stick to the packer. But when it’s hard and dry your just break tines or back window when the tine flicks back. Really needs a stronger tine and re space the coulters at 180- 200mm

 

[Try to succeed]

Direct in when it was soft but dry enough not to stick to the packer. But when it’s hard and dry your just break tines or back window when the tine flicks back. Really needs a stronger tine and re space the coulters at 180- 200mm

Think it’s a no go to put them on those tines then? Was hoping 2.5inch ones wouldn’t put too much pressure on them but those in your photo must only be an inch?

 

[Case290]

12mm wide point. Wondered if a c tine would be better (correct height and strength) be easy to mount under the frame.

 

[Try to succeed]

12mm wide point. Wondered if a c tine would be better (correct height and strength) be easy to mount under the frame.

What machine is a C tine from?

 

[average farmer]

Tried a bit today and it wouldn’t have it, if all the field was like the bit in the picture I’d have done it, seed looked like it would be in a happy place albeit a little rough on top.
think I’ll put the drill back to original layout and sell it.

 

[Try to succeed]

Tried a bit today and it wouldn’t have it, if all the field was like the bit in the picture I’d have done it, seed looked like it would be in a happy place albeit a little rough on top.
think I’ll put the drill back to original layout and sell it.

Was it just getting rougher as you went across?

 

[Case290]

Looks dry & hard

 

[average farmer]

Yes picture was taken in the better part of the field, I was scared of breaking something tbh 250 hp on a 3m drill and struggling.