LAMMA a huge success

The Eco-Drill grabbed a lot of attention yet again at the LAMMA show as farmers become more concerned about rising input costs as well as the previous years dry weather.

The Eco-Drill's low draught tines make it one of the easiest drills on the market to pull (minimum of 20hp/m). This results in a lower fuel usage, typically around 4 l/ac when direct drilling. With cultivation savings on top of this, more farmers are showing an interest in the drills.

A saving that some had not considered was the fact that a smaller tractor could be used to pull the drill, therefore an additional larger tractor was not required. Strip-till and deeper cultivating direct drills require a much bigger tractor to pull them costing the user more in both fuel and extra capital costs.

The show was also used to launch an Accumulator as an update on the Eco-Drill. The Accumulator is included in the tine hydraulic circuit and removes the need to continuously pump oil to the tines. This acts to further reduce the power required to operate the drill as well as helping to hi-light any leaks in the hydraulics or faulty rams as there will be a pressure loss seen on the guage in the circuit.

The MTD was also on display and has continued to recieve interest in its own right. Farmers recognized its potential as a conventional and more so as a min-till drill and many were interested in the possibility of direct drilling with the MTD where residue had been well managed. A new 6m version of the MTD with various updates will be on display at the Cereals Show this summer and is expected to start at around £25,000.