16-Row No-Till Alfalfa Seed Drill

Overview

Why drill alfalfa

Alfalfa seed is small and needs shallow, even placement. A drill puts every seed at a controlled depth in a row, which gives a more even stand than broadcasting and uses less seed. A no-till drill lets you renew a stand without ploughing the whole field first.

The machine

The drill carries 16 seeding rows at 150 mm spacing, giving a 2.2 m working width. Spacing can be adjusted, so the same machine can serve other small-seeded forage crops. A 112 L fertilizer tank sits on the frame, so fertilizer goes in with the seed at the same pass.

Tractor and field

At 420 kg and 2,310 mm wide, the drill is mounted on a tractor and does not need a very large one. The working width is moderate, which suits fields of small and medium size. The three-point linkage category and the tractor power needed follow from the tractor you use.

Seed and soil

Seed species, seeding rate and soil condition decide the setup. In hard or stony soil, opener type and extra weight on the frame come into play.

Setting the drill

Alfalfa needs a shallow sowing depth, so set the openers carefully and check seed cover behind the drill after the first pass. Calibrate the seed rate on the spot by catching seed from a few rows over a measured distance. Firm seedbed contact matters more than fine tilth, which is why drilling often outperforms broadcasting on renewed pasture.

Adapting to your market

Details such as color, accessories and spare-parts packages can be adjusted to your market and local conditions.

How the no-till drill compares with the other planters

This drill has 16 rows at 150 mm spacing and a 2.2 m working width, which suits close-row seeding of alfalfa, grasses and small grains into stubble without prior tillage. The 112 L fertilizer tank applies base fertilizer in the same pass, and the three-point hitch means a mid-size tractor is enough for the 420 kg frame.

The 18-row soybean planter (MM-SBP18A) is wider at 2,750 mm and meant for broadacre seeding. The vegetable seeder (MM-VSD100A) places small seeds at 5 cm rows on prepared beds. The potato, garlic and sugarcane planters (MM-PTP4A, MM-GLP5A and MM-SCP2A) place tubers, cloves and cane sets, which this drill cannot do.

Choose the no-till drill when you sow forage and pasture, where soil moisture, residue and erosion are your concern. Row spacing is adjustable, so you can adjust for different crops. Check tractor lift capacity against the frame weight.