“We’ve always been Kverneland people,” says Tom. “We’ve had their drills before — they’re simple, they’re solid, and they do a good job. That’s why we went for the 3m Saterra. And I have to say, it’s been a great job altogether.”
The Saterra is a cultivator-mounted pneumatic drill available in 3.0m and 4.0m working widths, designed to pair with power harrows such as the S-series unit used by the Barrons. It’s a simple, robust design that combines seedbed preparation and sowing in a single pass — ideal for medium-sized farms or contractors working within tight spring drilling windows.
Thomas received his Saterra drill in March this year, just in time for spring seeding. “We put it straight to work. We’re on fairly heavy ground — a lot of shale and some heavy soil — but it coped really well. The power harrow did a great job of tilling and the drill kept going. No blockages, no hassle.”
He added that the Saterra is used alongside their trusted Kverneland s-drill sowing around 600 acres annually — a setup that allows them to work efficiently across tight seeding windows.
Drilling beans in Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny
User-Friendly with No Compromise
A standout for Tom has been the machine’s user-friendliness. “We’ve had four different operators use it so far, and it’s easy to hand over. Once someone’s shown what to do, it’s straightforward. Everything is visible and accessible. You’re not wasting time trying to figure out complicated settings.”
That’s helped by the drill’s clever, compact design and user-friendly controls. The Saterra is equipped with a proven mechanical metering system, which can accurately sow anything from 2kg/ha to 380kg/ha, making it suitable for a wide range of crops.
“It’s as accurate as you could ask for,” says Tom. “Calibration is dead simple, and the metering just works. Couldn’t fault it.”
The metering unit is mechanically driven via a spiked landwheel, which also includes a brake system to avoid overdosing when the drill is lifted at headlands — a detail that Tom appreciates.
Hydraulic Adjustments on the Go
The Saterra also offers hydraulic depth and contour pressure adjustment from the cab — another feature that Thomas says saves valuable time and boosts accuracy.
“You can change the depth on the move for different crops — barley, beans, whatever you’re sowing. You can set the depth and pressure using the hydraulics, so there’s no climbing down to make manual changes. That makes it fast and accurate — it’s a huge advantage.”
The machine is equipped with CX-II coulters, offering precise seed placement at a consistent seeding depth of up to 6cm. Thomas runs the drill at 12.5cm spacing, ideal for cereal crops, and says establishment this spring has been excellent.
“The crop’s up even, you can really see the benefit of proper seed placement. It’s very consistent.”
The CX-II system includes a 325mm diameter steel disc working at a shallow 5.4° angle, which reduces the power requirement and allows for constant depth across the field. Each coulter can apply up to 50kg of pressure, and the design eliminates the need for expensive independent scrapers.
“The press wheels are another thing I like,” adds Thomas. “They give great seed-to-soil contact, and you can set them in fixed, floating, or lifted positions depending on the conditions. It’s flexible.”
Built for Irish Conditions
Working on heavy Irish soils, the Barrons have always valued simplicity and durability. “We’re not looking for gimmicks,” says Thomas. “We want something that’s built strong and does the job. That’s what this is.”
The drill’s compact build and close centre of gravity also reduce the lift requirement on the tractor, making it easier to work in challenging conditions without causing compaction or putting strain on the tractor.
“The whole setup is very manageable,” Tom explains. “It’s not a big, awkward machine. It’s very tidy.”
Local Back-Up from Hegartys
The drill was supplied by Hegarty’s in Co. Kilkenny, with setup support from both the dealership and Kverneland’s Irish team.
“We got it from Hegarty’s and they were great to deal with,” says Tom. “Matthew from Kverneland also came out to get us going the first day — not that there was much to do. It’s nearly plug and play, but it’s still good to have someone there if you need them.”
Having used Kverneland equipment for years — including previous drills — the Barrons say it’s that long-term reliability and simplicity that made the decision easy. “We had the old Kverneland before this. It never gave us a bit of trouble, and this is even better again.”
Final Word
Would Tom recommend the Saterra to other farmers?
“Definitely. I’d highly recommend it,” he says. “It’s simple, it’s accurate, and it does the job. That’s all you want really, isn’t it?”
