J.J.Metcalfe & Son Direct Drill Coulters

J.J. Metcalfe & Son Ltd provide one of the lowest disturbance drill coulters on the market, moving only 12mm of soil in every row width, but what are the benefits of this?

• Using a narrow tine greatly improves seed placement and seed to soil contact. Moving less soil means there is less soil to replace, which makes filling the slot easier. Minimal disturbance also leaves a level seed bed which further promotes soil contact over the seeds, and in turn helps to prevent slug damage.
• Moving less soil means that very few weed seeds are disturbed, reducing the germination of bothersome varieties such as black grass and brome.
• The angle of the tip is crucial as it gives the least amount of throw and keeps smearing to a minimum, retaining moisture in the process.
• Low disturbance drilling goes hand in hand with conservation agriculture, which helps fix and increase carbon or organic matter in the soil and supports the worm populace.
• Aside from the agronomic benefits, there are a wide range of advantages to the farmer. If you move less soil, you use also use less labour, wearing parts and fuel.

After launching a range of direct drill coulters in 2015, the encouraging response from farmers and growers led to the development of what is now an established and versatile system of entirely British made coulters.

Initially designed to convert Horsch CO & Sprinter drills from the bulky duet system to direct drilling they are now available to fit a range of existing drills as well as self-builds. All systems (aside from that for the Simba Freeflow) are able to interchange via a single roll pin from the narrow 12mm tip to a winged tip which spreads seed into a 100mm band, making for an incredibly versatile coulter. 

The tungsten carbide tips are also available in three different lengths and tube options include liquid and granular fertiliser.

Our band coulter was developed to offer low disturbance drilling whilst spreading seed into a wider row than our 12mm single line option. The winged coulter can achieve a 100mm spread, depending on soil conditions, enabling those on wider row spacings to benefit from our low soil disturbance conversions.

The tungsten carbide edged wings cut through the soil, and the innovative shape of the wing encourages soil to flow over and drop behind, closing the slot. It is this action that creates such a level finish across the field in comparison to alternatives on the market.