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Buyer’s Guide for Farmers: Used Drills

A seed drill (also known as grain, maize, precision seeder drill) is arguably the most critical investment for any arable farmer without it, crop establishment simply isn't possible. At AMTEC, with over 30 years of experience buying and selling used agricultural seeding machinery, we understand the significant savings that purchasing a used drill can offer compared to buying new. This guide compiles our decades of expertise to help you select a used drill that will serve your farm efficiently for years to come.

What Are the Different Types of Drills

Modern agriculture relies on various drill types, each designed to address specific farming approaches and soil conditions. Understanding these differences is crucial when selecting the right equipment for your operation.

Used Drills from AMTEC

Combination Drills

These drills merge a rotary power harrow with a seed drill, making them ideal for traditional farming methods, especially after ploughing. Though slower than other drilling methods, the power harrow component creates an excellent seedbed that can result in superior germination rates.

The primary advantage of combination drills is their ability to create a fine, level seedbed with consistent seed depth, particularly in heavier soils. However, they typically require higher power input, operate at slower speeds, and are less suitable for conservation farming approaches.

Tine Seeders

Using thin metal tines to create small furrows for seed placement, tine drills excel in challenging conditions such as wet weather. Some models can function as direct drills or work effectively in cultivated land.

Tine seeders offer good performance in wet conditions with lower draft requirements than disc systems. They provide effective weed control and are often less expensive than disc-based alternatives. On the downside, they can bring moisture to the surface, may struggle with heavy residue, and typically create more soil disturbance than disc systems.

Direct Drills

Direct drills place seed directly into undisturbed soil using either discs or tines. This approach has grown increasingly popular as farmers focus on soil health and environmental concerns. Direct drilling reduces costs through fewer equipment passes and lower fuel consumption.

The key benefit of direct drilling is minimal soil disturbance, which preserves soil structure and moisture while reducing erosion risk. This approach lowers fuel and labour costs while improving soil biology and carbon sequestration. However, it may require different weed management strategies, performance can be weather-dependent, and it often requires specialised equipment.

Most Popular Used Drill Brands at AMTEC

AMTEC offers an extensive selection of quality used seed drills from industry-leading manufacturers. Each brand brings unique technologies and approaches to the seeding process. Below, we'll explore some of the most popular used drill brands available at AMTEC, detailing their standout features and what makes them sought-after choices for UK farmers.

Popular Used Drill Brands

Horsch

Key Features include: Precision, Versatility and adaptability to various conditions. Popular models include: Sprinter (3m-12m) -12m range)

Väderstad

Key Features include: High-speed efficiency and combination of multiple operations. Popular Models include: Rapid, Sprint and Tempo
Claydon

Key Features include: Minimal soil disturbance, Variable rates and Promotion of soil health. Popular Models include: Hybrid with leading tine system

Sumo

Key Features: include: Robust construction and Effective in minimal tillage Popular Models include: Various models for different scales

Moore

Key Features include: Versatile and Reliable with farmer-friendly design. Popular Models include: Unidrill for direct and conventional seeding
Kuhn

Key Features include: Precision and reliability across drill types. Popular Models include: Multiple configurations available.

Kverneland

Key Features: Innovative technology and Durable construction. Popular Models include: Various working widths.

Mzuri

Key Features include: Specialises in strip-till drilling systems. Popular Models include: Combines benefits of tillage and direct drilling

What to Look for When Buying a Used Drill

Purchasing a used seed drill requires careful inspection and consideration of several key factors to ensure you're making a sound investment.

Inspection Area	Key Checks	Why it Matters
Overall Condition	Check for cracks, rust, damage Check wear and tear of coulters, tines, discs Structural integrity of frame Metering system for seed distribution Bearings & moving parts functioning as they should	Affects longevity, reliability, and the quality of seed placement. Excessive wear leads to poor performance and costly repairs.
Calibration & Performance	Calibration ease and accuracy Depth control mechanisms Seed distribution consistency Tramline and half-width functions	Directly impacts seed rate accuracy, planting depth consistency, and ultimately crop emergence and yield.
Compatibility	Suitability for your soil types Tractor hydraulic/power compatibility Working width & transport dimensions Seed capacity requirements	Ensures the drill will integrate with your existing equipment and farming system while meeting your operational needs.
Hydraulics & Electronics	Hydraulic function & leak testing Electronic systems operation Maintenance history review Software updates if applicable	Prevents unexpected downtime during critical drilling windows and helps avoid costly emergency repairs.
Brand & Parts Support	Brand reputation & longevity Parts availability and cost Manufacturer support for older models Cost of immediate repairs needed	Determines the long-term serviceability of the drill and affects the total cost of ownership over its lifespan.
Legal & Safety Compliance	Current safety regulation compliance Guards and safety features Road lighting and signage PUWER standards compliance	Essential for legal operation, safe transport, and operator safety. Non-compliance could invalidate insurance and lead to legal issues.

Horsch

Renowned for precision and versatility, Horsch drills adapt well to various farming conditions. The popular Horsch Sprinter ranges from the compact 3-meter ST model to the impressive 12-meter 12SW, accommodating farms of all sizes. The Sprinter offers exceptional versatility, capable of drilling directly into stubble or cultivated soil with consistent results and minimal soil disturbance.

Väderstad

Väderstad drills focuses on high-speed efficiency without compromising accuracy. Their flagship Rapid combines seedbed preparation, levelling, drilling, and reconsolidation in a single pass, saving time, fuel, and preserving ground moisture. The Väderstad Spirit offers similar capabilities with advanced technology integration, while the Tempo precision planter excels at single-seed placement for specialty crops.

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Amazone

Offering diverse options for farms of all sizes, Amazone drills prioritise precision, efficiency, and smart technology. Features like variable seed rates and automatic section control optimise resource usage. The Amazone Cayena tine drill handles both ploughed land and stubbles with its narrow, hard-wearing TineTeC coulters, making it especially effective in hard, dry, or stony conditions.

Other Popular Brands from AMTEC

Claydon

Used for minimal soil disturbance, the Claydon drill integrates low-disturbance strip-till cultivations with accurate seed and fertiliser placement in a single pass. The hybrid drill also promotes soil health by protecting soil structure and overall, nurturing soil health and crop resilience.

Sumo

The Sumo drill excels in difficult field conditions, by using a modern design. The drill is avaliable in different scales, perfect for varied use.

Kuhn

Promoting precision and reliability across all drill types, the Kuhn drill is perfect for any farm size based on its flexibility.

Buy Used Machinery Safely from AMTEC

At AMTEC, we understand the importance of selling high-quality farm machinery to our customers, that's why we inspect every machine supplied to us to ensure it meets PUWER machinery regulations. With over 30 years of experience, we deliver farm machinery solutions that exceed our customers expectations.

Buyer’s Guide for Farmers: Used Drills

What Are the Different Types of Drills

Used Drills from AMTEC

Combination Drills

Tine Seeders

Direct Drills

Most Popular Used Drill Brands at AMTEC

Popular Used Drill Brands

Horsch

Väderstad

Claydon

Sumo

Moore

Kverneland

Mzuri

What to Look for When Buying a Used Drill

Horsch

Väderstad

Amazone

Other Popular Brands from AMTEC

Claydon

Sumo

Kuhn

Buy Used Machinery Safely from AMTEC

Why Choose AMTEC: The Leading Provider of Used Drills in the UK

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