Hobby Farm - Seed Drill Options?

[LarryBud]

Hi Folks,

I'm rehabbing my little hobby farm and will have multiple projects going on in the years ahead.

I have an L3130 ( 31 HP ), no rear hydraulics.

I'm going to need to drill in 15 acres ( a nine & two 3 acre fields ) of pollinator mix as part of a conservation program. Plus, I have several other smaller ( .5 to 1.5 acre ) plots where I'll want to drill in some kind of grass or mix once I figure it out. Finally, I have some dozer work on the horizon where I'll need to plant grass in the newly formed landscape.

I'll need something where I will be drilling into herbicide treated, mowed / burned down soil. Any suggestion on what to get for my needs? I have modest equipment but don't need to go very far or very fast.

Thanks,

LB

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Any neighbour farmers nearby ? Rent from them. I'd think risk of damaging a drill is low ?

 

[BAP]

Drills are expensive pieces of equipment. So I would look to either rent one, hire someone to do it or look for a used one. Around here, the local County Conservation District has one available to rent quite cheap.

 

[ken erickson]

I have had two projects "drilled" for native/pollinator mixes. Both drills had boxes setup for the extremely fine and fluffy seeds that some species have.. Are you member of Pheasants Forever by any chance? Our local chapter owns a drill set up for natives species and I was able to borrow it for my small project.

 

[Goz63]

Like BAP our county co-op has one for rent. I would check there first.

 

[SDT]

Hi Folks,

I'm rehabbing my little hobby farm and will have multiple projects going on in the years ahead.

I have an L3130 ( 31 HP ), no rear hydraulics.

I'm going to need to drill in 15 acres ( a nine & two 3 acre fields ) of pollinator mix as part of a conservation program. Plus, I have several other smaller ( .5 to 1.5 acre ) plots where I'll want to drill in some kind of grass or mix once I figure it out. Finally, I have some dozer work on the horizon where I'll need to plant grass in the newly formed landscape.

I'll need something where I will be drilling into herbicide treated, mowed / burned down soil. Any suggestion on what to get for my needs? I have modest equipment but don't need to go very far or very fast.

Thanks,

LB

I also suggest hiring out the seed work but if you must have your own drill, investigate Tar River.

SDT

 

[LarryBud]

Thanks for the feedback Folks.

Thus far, the rental ones i've looked at all need rear hydraulics and about 40 HP. I guess I could look at adding rear Hydo and hope my 31 ponies will carry the day.

I've had trouble getting anyone to even call me back about custom planting. The Quail Forever Guy is on the other end of the county and said he'd rather not put the miles on.

I was hoping there may be some reasonable purchase option but if they're $8-10K, that won't work for me either.