Seed drill openers

[near horse]

I’ve been looking at some seed drills in my area and know that there are different types of openers available – single and double discs, hoe, shoe (?) etc. So my question is, what are the strong and weak points of each type? It seems as though modern drills have gone to the double disc as their opener choice.

Are there also limits or variations in what types of seeds can be used with each opener type?

Geoff

[Tim Harrigan]

For the most part it is that disk openers are much better in crop residue. Double disk openers are more sturdy than single disk and will open a more uniform furrow for seed placement, and the seed will be less susceptible to wind if the seed is dropped next to the opener. Shoe openers are designed for clean tilled fields and will catch residue if it is not buried below seed depth. Shoe openers can also have a tendency to compact or smear the seedbed if the soil is too wet. I think hoe openers have been used for reduced tillage in some drier climates but I have not used drills with hoe openers before. Hoe openers leave a roughend surface that can help prevent wind and water erosion.

[near horse]

Thanks Tim! Is it easy (or possible) to convert from hoe style openers to discs? I have an old Oliver Superior drill (w/ double discs) but it’s pretty wide and too heavy for just a team to pull and have only found hoe style openers on the rare smaller disc I can find.

[Tim Harrigan]

near horse;26067 wrote:

… Is it easy (or possible) to convert from hoe style openers to discs? …

I am not sure without seeing it. I am sure Andy could do it, not sure about any other mortal folks:)

[Andy Carson]

Geoff,
I think when I get around to making/modifying a drill, I will probably end up cutting down the width on a modern double disc opener type. The modern ones have all the “bells and whistles” I am attracted to, and cutting out some of the middle sections (and reattaching the end) seems easier that changing hoes to discs or swapping single discs to double discs. Perhaps you might cut down your Oliver, unless you are using ot for something else? I am suspicious that the angle, tilt, and spacing of the double disc openers is important and they have to withstand alot of force, and do all this without taking up alot of room. When the application requires precision, strength, and especially a compact size, there is “real” engineering required, so I am attracted to simply stealing the part off something else. 😉 Just a suggestion. If you really want to modify, perhaps you can “borrow” a double disc opener off of a working drill a reverse engineer (IE copy) the angles, brackets, and other details. You probably have some farmer friends that would let you look at thiers if you don’t like the design of your Oliver… If you don’t know anyone who has the type of drill you are interested in, PM me and I’ll give you the contact info for the guy I used to work for. His farm is between Moscow and Troy. I have no idea if he has any extra parts that you could borrow to copy, although he does have an impressive array of spare parts. I don’t think he would be very keen on selling his equipment or parts, but might know someone who is… Either way, he would certainly let you inspect, take lots of pictures (and figure out how to copy) the equipment he does have. It’s all big tractor equipment, so who know what ideas you can use. Just let me know.

[near horse]

Thanks Andy –

I just pulled out my old Draft Horse Primer by Maurice Telleen and flipped through the small discussion on drills. One of last sentences says “All these types of furrow openers are interchangeable.” If I recall the section on HD machinery in DHP was copied from old JD Machinery Maintenance and Operation Manual from the 20’s or 30’s – so the statement is likely invalid.

I too have thought about cutting down my old Oliver – just felt it might be more complicated than just cutting down the width. Might need to re-evaluate.

[LostFarmer]

Geoff,
In the Palouse area they used many shoe drills. Most the ground was summer followed and then planted to fall wheat or spring barley. Where the moisture was such a hit and miss thing the furrows of a shoe drill helps collect the water and prevent runoff as Tim said.

LF

[Author]

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