While disc seeders have come to the fore recently in line with minimum and zero tillage farming practices, the tined seeder remains a must-have for many broadacre farms.

For grain growers, the choice of a precision tined seeder is often based on low maintenance requirements, a lack of complexity in their design and function, moisture seeking ability and good
value for money.

They are not without their challenges however, generally having to operate at lower grounds speeds compared to disc machines, being prone to trash blockages in certain conditions and by their nature, disturbing and throwing soil.

Soil throw will influence furrow moisture loss, potential weed seed germination and pre-emergent herbicide efficacy.
From Kondinin Group’s inspections in this report, it is clear there is a wide variety of options available, with several brands now offering narrow transport configurations and coulters at the front of the seeding bar or row unit to cut a slot in the ground to help prevent issues like hair pinning.

Second-hand value may be a consideration as well, taking into account features such as wheel spacings (with the recent trend towards controlled traffic farming) and roading ability (transport width).

Given the advent of newer brands in the marketplace such as Horsch, Boss, Equalizer and SeedMaster, and an expected working life of 10-15 years, second-hand values are hard to assess as these machines have not been in service long enough to be traded in any great numbers.

Along those lines, dealer representation, service and back up is vital as is the case with most broadacre farm machinery where a lack of spare parts or service at a crucial time of the year can lead to a seeding disaster.

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