Once a mainstream crop establishment process, the power-harrow combination has fallen out of favour on many farms as growers look towards a lower disturbance, kinder-to-soil establishment method which can offer a greater work rate and a lower diesel bill.
However, the design has endured with its capability to plant a consistent crop in nearly all weather conditions and soil types.
With the prospect of a wet drilling campaign on the horizon for some, we look at the current market options.
Alpego
Italian-built Alpego offers the JET-X 300 drill in conjunction with its 200hp-rated RK power-harrow.
Seeds are supplied pneumatically through an all-stainless metering unit from the 1,500-litre hopper and controlled using a TopCon-sourced IsoBus-ready controller.
A total of 24 single-disc coulters spaced at 125mm are fitted to a seeding bar mounted on the packer frame of the harrow, with a parallel linkage used to control the working depth.
A maximum coulter pressure of 60kg/disc is possible, which Alpego says gives the flexibility to establish a uniform crop in harder conditions.
Removing the drill from the power-harrow is a split process, with a quick release system for the seeding bar and coulters and a second assembly to remove the hopper, which mounts on a pair of support stands.
For greater work rates, Alpego offers non-folding versions of the JET-X in working widths of 3.5m and 4m.
Amazone
Amazone's range in this segment covers seven different base models, starting with the entry-level AD3000 mechanical drill with single disc coulters, a 1,000-litre gravity-fed hopper and a non-IsoBus AmaLog+ controller.
Increasing the specification and technology options introduces the Cataya range, which is supplied in Super or Special configurations with hopper sizes of 850, 1,270 or 1,500 litres.
This range introduces the option of IsoBus control or the firm's AmaDrill2 controller. Coulter choices include a single- or double-disc or tine.
Electric metering is offered across the complete Cataya range, with the option of gravity or pneumatic seed delivery on some models.
Cataya-C models are designed for growers looking for seed and fertiliser or multi-species cover cropping and can be supplied with single- or double-disc coulters with a coulter pressure of up to 55kg.
The electrically metered 2,000-litre split hopper uses a 60:40 or 70:30 division ratio. For further flexibility, the Cataya-C can be supplied with the firm's GreenDrill, which provides a third hopper and metering system for additional seeds or a micro-nutrient.
Horsch
Better known for its direct drills and single-pass tine drills, Horsch's range of power-harrow combinations covers both single and split hopper variants, with mechanical or pneumatic seed delivery.
Launched in 2021, the Versa KR uses a 900-litre hopper with optional extensions increasing capacity to 1,500 litres. Metering across the full width is electrically driven and is supplied as standard with an IsoBus-ready connection.
Seed placement is achieved using the manufacturer's DuoDisc double-disc coulter and rubber packer wheel. This design is similar to the system used on its larger trailed drills.
A maximum coulter pressure of 50kg per unit is offered on the Versa KR. Increasing the technical complexity, the Express KR uses a 1,500-litre pressurised split hopper for pneumatic delivery of seed/fertiliser or multi-species cropping.
Similar to the Versa, the Express uses a double-disc coulter system. However, the Express is fitted with independent hydraulic control of the coulter assemblies, which provides a greater coulter pressure of up to 120kg and more precise depth control.
Both machines can be configured with 125mm or 150mm row spacings and operate with Horsch's 10-rotor Kredo power-harrow.
KRM
KRM's Sola Neu-P pneumatic combination drill can be specified with either a tine or double-disc coulter arrangement with seed delivered from the same 2,000-litre pressurised single hopper and IsoBus-enabled stainless steel metering system.
In its tine configuration, 24 units are positioned at 125mm centres, with each tine arm connected to a compressive spring to allow ground following across the machine.
Specified with double-disc coulters, row spacing is increased to 150mm and incorporates a rubber press wheel behind each unit.
Ground following is achieved with a parallel linkage on each coulter, with ground pressure adjusted using a tensioned spring mechanism. A twin following harrow is used on each design, with options on both models including pre-emergence markers, half-width shut-off and electric tram lining and variable rate applications.
KRM says the Neu-P can be mounted to a range of power-harrows and can be supplied fitted with one of its 12-rotor, 200hp-rated Katos units.
Kuhn
French manufacturer Kuhn supplies an extensive range of power-harrow combination options with the focus of UK buyers on the pneumatic Venta 100 range, which is offered in three models as the 310, 320 and 330.
All machines use an 850-litre hopper, hydraulically driven fan and electrically driven metering systems. Row spacing on the 310 and 320 are offered at 125mm or 150mm, with control of all models with a range of controllers, including the IsoBus-linked VTI 60, CCI 800 or CCI 1200 terminal.
For non-IsoBus tractors, the VT 30 terminal can be used. The Venta 310 is fitted with spring-tensioned tine coulters, with the Venta 320 using an alternative single-disc design.
The recently launched Venta 330 uses a double-disc assembly mounted on a parallel linkage at a 41mm offset, which Kuhn claims improves soil openings. A maximum coulter pressure of 40kg is possible with the 330, with row spacing fixed at 150mm.
All machines can be integrated with Kuhn's HRB and HR power-harrows, with the hopper positioned towards the front, pushing the centre of gravity closer to the tractor and reducing the implement lifting and power requirement.
Kverneland
The range offered by Kverneland extends to three models of power-harrow mounted drills. The entry-level DA system uses a 750-litre hopper, mechanical metering and a pto-driven fan.
A total of 24 single-disc coulters are mounted at 125mm centres, followed by a single S-type harrow. The heavier duty s-drill uses a larger 1,050-litre hopper with a pto or hydraulically driven fan.
The disc coulter design uses a following press wheel to improve seed-to-soil contact and up to 50kg of coulter presser can be achieved using a mechanically pre-loaded spring or with an optional hydraulic system.
Metering is mechanically land-wheel-driven, with several control systems offered. The higher specification e-drill can be supplied as a compact model with a 1,600- or 2,000-litre single hopper or as the larger maxi version with a 2,100-litre split hopper in 60:40 or 70:30 divisions.
Electric metering systems are used with IsoBus-linked controllers. Double-disc coulters are fitted at 125mm or 150mm centres, with the option to apply the different hopper contents at varied depths.
Kverneland offers three different power-harrow models, which can be supplied in combination with any of its drill systems.
Lemken
German manufacturer Lemken divides its mounted combination drill offering in the UK over two models - the Sapphire 9 and 10 and Solitair 8+ and 9+.
Both models of Sapphire use mechanical metering and gravity feed across the working width of the drill, with a hopper capacity of 860 or 1,160 litres.
The entry-level Sapphire 9 uses mechanical metering, with the higher specification 10 models offered with an electric metering drive. Both systems use a double-disc coulter assembly mounted to a parallel linkage for improved ground following, with a rubber press wheel behind each unit.
The higher specification Solitaire range uses pneumatic seed delivery and mechanical metering on the 8+ and electric drive on the 9+.
A 1,450-litre hopper is used with the 8+, with seed placement using a double-disc coulter mounted on a parallel linkage. Changes to the 9+ include a larger 1,850-litre hopper and the option of a Duo variant, which is supplied with a split hopper in 60:40 or 50:50 divisions.
The Duo version permits the use of the manufacturer's double-shot disc coulter, which allows the contents of the two hoppers to be split across each coulter set, which can be adjusted up to 50mm deeper from each other.
This allows the establishment of different cover crop varieties at individual seed depths and rates. Operation of all machines is through an in-cab CCI terminal or IsoBus connection.
Maschio
The range offered by Italian manufacturer Maschio is split between its Dama and Alitalia models.
The Dama range is offered as a single-hopper drill, with capacities from 500 to 1,050 litres. Seed is gravity-fed to the coulters and metered mechanically using a land-wheel drive.
Offered with tine or single-disc coulters, with both at 125mm centres, the Dama can be assembled with a quick-release system to the manufacturer's DC, DM or Orso power-harrows.
The higher specification pneumatic Alitalia range uses an IsoBus-ready electric metering and a hydraulically driven fan to deliver seed to the single disc or tine coulters spaced at 125mm.
The 1,500-litre hopper can be increased to 2,000 litres using an extension kit, with a quick-release mounting offered for the firm's DM or Orso power-harrow models.
Pottinger
Pottinger's range incorporates fully mechanical gravity feed machines with its Vitasem series and the higher capacity Aerosem series with pneumatic seed delivery.
The Vitasem models are supplied with hopper capacities from 450 to 1,000 litres, depending on the model and extension sections.
Three coulter choices are available with tine or single-disc coulters, with a maximum pressure of 25kg, or dual-disc design, which allows a greater pressure of 50kg.
All coulter options can be spaced at 125mm or 150mm. The land-wheel-driven system includes a three-way-metering assembly which uses manual flaps to open or close access to the feed rollers without removing the shaft and changing the rollers.
Pottinger claims this allows much faster changes and calibrations between varieties. The pneumatic Aerosem is offered with the same single- and dual-disc coulters as the Vitsem, with an up to 1,850-litre hopper available as a split system, which can be configured to deliver products to separate coulters.
The manufacturer says this can be set to establish maize on 750mm rows and grass in the intermediate spaces to reduce run-off and soil erosion. Both models of drill can be fitted to Pottinger's Lion power-harrows or Fox disc cultivators.
Sulky Burel
Launched in the UK at LAMMA 2020, the Sulky's Progress pneumatic combination drill can be supplied with up to three hoppers to allow seed, fertiliser and micronutrient placement in a single pass.
A range of hopper sizes are offered, with capacities of 1,250 or 1,750 litres as a single hopper, or 2,000 litres as a split hopper, plus an additional 100-litre micro hopper.
Drive to all metering systems is electric, with the option to shut off multiple rows depending on crop spacings, allowing an easier setup for establishing cereals, which will be inter-row cultivated.
Three coulter options are available, which include a tine coulter with a maximum pressure of 20kg, a twin-disc coulter mounted on a parallel frame to improve depth control, with a maximum coulter pressure of 50kg, and a single, larger diameter cultivation disc with a maximum coulter pressure of 100kg.
Sulky says the single disc variant has been developed for the UK market and is designed to work in much drier or wetter conditions than the other coulter options.
The Progress is IsoBus-enabled and can be mounted to any of Sulky's own power-harrows or disc cultivators.
