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Buyer’s Guide for Farmers: Used Drills

Within farming 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 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 is a Farm Drill

A farm (agricultural) drill goes through a series of steps to plant seeds, which typically involves measuring the quantity of seeds, opening the furrow, placing the seeds and covering the seeds. Drills have become a pivotal aspect of modern day farming, their versatility and hybrid flexibility are perfect for completing various farming tasks, such as seed planting and soil work making the machine type reliable and precise.

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. At AMTEC we supply an array of used drill types, ranging from cultivation drills to direct drills.

Cultivation Drills

Cultivation drills incorporate soil working with seed placement, typically using leading discs or tines to move soil before depositing seed. These versatile machines can handle unprepared soil like stubble or break down primary cultivation for a finer seedbed. Popular models include the Väderstad Rapid and Horsch Pronto.

Cultivation drills combine multiple operations in one pass, making them time and fuel efficient across various soil conditions. They create excellent seed-to-soil contact, though they do require more power and may cause more soil disturbance than alternative conservative systems.

Kuhn Combiliner Integra 3003 combination drill 3m

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.

Direct Drills & Precision 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.

Precsion drills are Ideal for row crops requiring precise placement like maize, precision drills ensure accurate seed spacing and depth. This uniform placement improves crop emergence and ultimately enhances yield potential.

These drills offer exceptional accuracy in seed placement, leading to uniform crop emergence and development. They optimise seed usage and can integrate fertiliser placement. The trade-offs include more specialised applications, higher initial investment, and have potentially slower operating speeds for maximum precision.

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.

Overall Condition

When evaluating the overall condition of a used drill, consider the following:

Cracks, rust, or visible damage
Wear and tear on coulters, tines, and discs
Structural integrity of the frame
Functionality of the metering system for seed distribution
Bearings and other moving parts operating smoothly

These checks matter because they affect the drill’s longevity, reliability, and the quality of seed placement. Excessive wear can lead to poor performance and costly repairs.

Calibration & Performance

When assessing calibration and performance, check the following:

Ease and accuracy of calibration
Effectiveness of depth control mechanisms
Consistency of seed distribution
Functionality of tramline and half-width systems

Proper calibration ensures accurate seed rates, consistent planting depth, and optimal crop emergence and yield.

Compatibility

Ensure the used drill is compatible with your farming operation by checking:

Suitability for your soil types
Compatibility with your tractor’s hydraulics and power
Working width and transport dimensions
Seed capacity to meet your field requirements

These factors help ensure the drill integrates seamlessly with your equipment and meets your operational needs.

Hydraulics & Electronics

Inspect the following hydraulic and electronic components:

Hydraulic function and check for leaks
Operational status of electronic systems
Review of maintenance history
Software updates, if applicable

These checks help prevent unexpected downtime and costly emergency repairs during critical drilling periods.

Brand & Parts Support

Assess brand and parts support by evaluating:

Reputation and longevity of the brand
Availability and cost of spare parts
Manufacturer support for older models
Cost of any immediate repairs needed

These considerations impact the long-term serviceability and total cost of ownership.

Legal & Safety Compliance

Verify the drill meets legal and safety standards by checking:

Compliance with current safety regulations
Presence of required guards and safety features
Road lighting and signage condition
PUWER standards compliance (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations)

Ensuring compliance is essential for legal operation, safe transport, and operator safety. Non-compliance may invalidate insurance and result in legal issues.

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.

Different Types of Drills

Drills are a vital part of seed work in farming. Integrating each step with ease while maintaining high-efficiency and speed. Each type of branded drill is different, each benefiting the process of seed placement in unique ways. Below, we highlight how different branded drills operate including their benefits and characteristics.

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.

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

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 speciality crops.

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

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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.

Claydon

Designed by farmer Jeff Claydon in Suffolk, Claydon drills were developed specifically for the direct drilling approach. The Claydon Hybrid minimises soil disturbance while maintaining versatility, making it ideal for promoting soil health. Its leading tine loosens soil to create tilth for seed placement and ensures good drainage without excessive disturbance.

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

Sumo

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

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

Moore

Specialising in versatile, reliable drill systems with straightforward, farmer-friendly design. The Moore Unidrill offers excellent performance as both a direct and conventional seeder, making it highly adaptable to different farming systems. It's simple calibration and maintenance design has made it a favourite among UK farmers looking for dependable performance without unnecessary complexity.

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

Buy Used Machinery Safely from AMTEC

Used Machinery 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 is a Farm Drill

What Are the Different Types of Drills

Cultivation Drills

Combination Drills

Direct Drills & Precision Drills

What to Look for When Buying a Used Drill

Overall Condition

Calibration & Performance

Compatibility

Hydraulics & Electronics

Brand & Parts Support

Legal & Safety Compliance

Most Popular Used Drill Brands at AMTEC

Different Types of Drills

Horsch

Väderstad

Amazone

Claydon

Sumo

Moore

Buy Used Machinery Safely from AMTEC

Used Machinery from AMTEC

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

View More AMTEC Buyers Guides

Buyer’s Guide for Farmers: Used Drills

Buyer's Guide for Farmers: Used Cultivators

Buyer's Guide for Farmers: Used Ploughs

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