Sprinter vs Sabre Tine

[puma power]

Currently considering a 6m sprinter on dutch/metcalf etc, but also giving consideration to Sabre tine (new type 4 row prob front tank).

Anybody run both?

Would be used either as direct drill or on very lightly cultivated ground?

Sprinter would need full width packer for depth.

 

[alomy75]

Currently considering a 6m sprinter on dutch/metcalf etc, but also giving consideration to Sabre tine (new type 4 row prob front tank).

Anybody run both?

Would be used either as direct drill or on very lightly cultivated ground?

Sprinter would need full width packer for depth.

They’re 2 very different drills. One with no packer and one with 2 how you want it…one trailed heavy(ish) drill; 1 mounted light one. Not really comparing apples with apples. If it’s dry the sprinter will be better. If it’s wet the sabretine will be better…if you can keep on top of the slugs. @Bob lincs can advise on the front tank version

 

[Wheatland]

I’ve got 6m versions of both. The sabre tine would be better in the extreme wet and in all other situation, I prefer the Sprinter. My Sprinter doesn’t have a full width front packer which isn’t a problem as I’m going mostly direct with 2” Dutch openers

 

[cotswoldcs]

What's the price difference between the two?

 

[HarryB97]

Have to be the sprinter unless it’s very wet. Faster forward speed, bigger tank, split tank option, wider range of points and incredibly well built and finished. I run a 4 metre one on one inch Dutch openers with no full width front packer and have no issues with depth control, yes some comes up a few days later but that’s not an issue.

 

[Andrew K]

A friend has both but he prefers the sprinter as he feels the Sabre Tine can slot it a bit in the wet, causing more slug issues and waterlogging on his heavy clays.As a user of the KRM 1909 drill myself i see similar results in wet going with slotting,
I think there should be more coulter point options for the mounted drills, as the Horsch drill has multiple options for different crops and conditions making it very versatile.
This would benefit the mounted drills no end in my view.

 

[Bob lincs]

Front tank sabretine is a really good drill , the only thing that needs sorting is wheel eradication ( which isn’t easy ) . Every time we use it I worry about seed depth and placement as it all seem a bit random but a week after the seed is up I’m happy .

 

[alomy75]

Front tank sabretine is a really good drill , the only thing that needs sorting is wheel eradication ( which isn’t easy ) . Every time we use it I worry about seed depth and placement as it all seem a bit random but a week after the seed is up I’m happy .

You need a crawler on it

 

[Bob lincs]

You need a crawler on it

An RX but would then really need to be 12m .

 

[warksfarmer]

Currently considering a 6m sprinter on dutch/metcalf etc, but also giving consideration to Sabre tine (new type 4 row prob front tank).

Anybody run both?

Would be used either as direct drill or on very lightly cultivated ground?

Sprinter would need full width packer for depth.

Yes we’ve had both a 4m sprinter and 6m 4 row sabre tine with front tank. So many variables to take into account. If you are drilling late (end oct and Nov) for grass weed control and your soils are clay neither will shut the slot properly. If you are lightly cultivating then the sabre tine will ‘probably’ shut the slot when late drilling but I doubt you’ll be able to run a sprinter in November on cultivated soils unless it’s dry. The rear tyre press will block first then your in a mess.

If you are drilling in September then the sprinter will shut the slot better due to the rear tyre press and covering Harrow combination. The sabre tine only has the Harrow. Both at times needed the Cambridge rolls to ‘finish’ the job off.

Really depends on what you are trying to achieve.

 

[puma power]

I'm swaying towards sprinter due to the larger range of points.

We tend to drill early, 20th Sept and aim to be finished by 14th Oct most years due to our high rainfall. This year has been very kind!

Run a Rapid following a carrier for years and it works very well. But with an increasing acreage looking for a drill to complement Rapid. I bought a CO4 and put Dutch openers on it last year and it went well, great direct into cover crops but on cultivated ground depth control was a bit of an issue.

So, I've been looking for a 6m sprinter with full width packer and saw the weaving and thought it could be a great drill especially in wetter conditions? My worry would be, is using it as a direct drill? Would it actually direct drill? Is there enough coulter pressure and will close the slot?

Thanks.

 

[AT Aloss]

I'm swaying towards sprinter due to the larger range of points.

We tend to drill early, 20th Sept and aim to be finished by 14th Oct most years due to our high rainfall. This year has been very kind!

Run a Rapid following a carrier for years and it works very well. But with an increasing acreage looking for a drill to complement Rapid. I bought a CO4 and put Dutch openers on it last year and it went well, great direct into cover crops but on cultivated ground depth control was a bit of an issue.

So, I've been looking for a 6m sprinter with full width packer and saw the weaving and thought it could be a great drill especially in wetter conditions? My worry would be, is using it as a direct drill? Would it actually direct drill? Is there enough coulter pressure and will close the slot?

Thanks.

I use the Sabre Tine as a direct drill, it is heavy & largely puts the seed in the right place on some crumbled aggregate above the bottom of the slot. Closing on clay after creating a deep slot for beans can be a challenge & we've usually rolled at 90 degrees to close them up. Shallower drilling into more friable soil is always covered by the following harrow. It has struggled this year with fresh fluffy straw that hasn't rotted even where we stubble raked, there hadn't really been enough rain. Running a tine & a disc drill covers most bases, apart from the time where you probably shouldn't be drilling but just want to get the last couple of fields in!

A lot of info can be found on the Weaving Sabre Tine user thread:

Weaving sabre tine user thread

Any sabre tine users on here ? Do’s , Don’ts , Tips or advice. We haven’t used our yet just waiting for it to dry up a bit .

thefarmingforum.co.uk

 

[redsloe]

Unhappy with the claydon?

 

[puma power]

Unhappy with the claydon?

No not at all. Great service and a well-built machine. I just don't think it's quite right for me.

 

[The Gentleman Farmer]

Sprinter every time.
Brilliant trash flow. Only have packer wheel at the rear, removed the harrow.
Plenty of options for point width and design - I find Metcalfes the best for zero-tilling all crops.

I have to say that I wouldn't try to zero-till if its too wet, in my experience its a pathway to depression.

 

[Longneck]

@dirty harry

 

[Andrew K]

Rear harrows of effective design are nigh on mandatory for zero till on heavy soils .

The Horsch offers possibly the best arrangement for seed coverage and consolidation on a tine drill.

 

[The Gentleman Farmer]

With regard to the rear harrow, I find that it causes too much disturbance. The disturbance is enough to germinate some weeds, particularly grasses. This effect is much reduced once the harrow is removed.

 

[Clive]

i the dry I would choose the Sprinter but in the wet I would choose the Sabre tine

actually in the dry i would choose a disc drill !

 

[puma power]

i the dry I would choose the Sprinter but in the wet I would choose the Sabre tine

actually in the dry i would choose a disc drill !

You buy a Sabre and I'll buy your CO6?!!!