“For us, the U-Drill has been a huge plus on our farm this year,” Thomas explains. “We’re very, very impressed with it, and I would probably imagine with the current weather conditions, maybe it is the drill for more farmers to get through work.” The U-Drill’s design, which supports high-speed operations between 10-18 km/h, enables Thomas to cover more ground daily, a necessity when working within narrow weather windows.
Upgraded Performance with Enhanced Efficiency
In recent years, Thomas’s farm faced increasing pressure to complete seeding within short timeframes due to changing weather patterns. The transition from a 4m to a 6m U-Drill brought a significant boost in productivity. “We’ve upgraded from a four-meter U-Drill to a six-meter U-Drill, and the main reason was weather,” he notes. “With the one pass, we could only get so much done, but with the U-Drill, we’re able to get a lot more work done.”
A significant factor in the U-Drill’s efficiency is its modular frame concept, which provides stability even at high speeds, ensuring that seed placement remains consistent. "The speed of the U-Drill — I know we can go up as far as 18 km/h — but I’ve chosen around 13 km/h,” Thomas shares. “The seed placement for us at 13 km/h is still hitting where we need to be.” The U-Drill’s CD-coulter system provides the flexibility of two different row widths (12.5 cm and 16.7 cm), making it adaptable to various crops while maintaining consistent seed depth.
Simplified Operation and Maintenance
The U-Drill is designed with ease of use in mind, featuring full ISOBUS compatibility that puts the operator in control from the tractor cab. “The ease of use for the U-Drill is very simple,” Thomas explains. “You can set your sequence the way you want to go in the field, and the calibration process is very user-friendly.” Calibration can be initiated directly from the cab or the metering unit, saving valuable time by allowing the operator to switch between crops seamlessly.
With its large hopper capacity of 4,350 litres, the U-Drill further supports time efficiency by reducing the need for frequent refills. “The U-Drill probably holds maybe three tons plus room for more, maybe three and a half tons, depending on the crop,” Thomas notes. The hopper can be loaded using big bags, a front loader, or a telescopic handler, making the setup process flexible for different farm setups.
Precision Through Advanced Technology
The U-Drill’s headland management system is a standout feature, allowing Thomas to complete headlands more quickly and accurately while minimizing waste. “A standout feature in the U-Drill is the headland management system,” he says. “It’s very user-friendly and can be used with just one touch of a button or one pull of a spool valve.” As Thomas operates the headland management system, the U-Drill lifts the discs and the coulter bar in timed sequences, which stops seed flow to avoid over-seeding at the headland. This efficiency can save up to 5% of seed annually by preventing double seeding and gaps at headlands.
Another time-saving feature is the ability to adjust coulter depth, cultivation discs, and seeding rates from the cab. The flexibility allows Thomas to tailor settings on the move, “We can adjust the seeding rate on the move,” he adds, “maybe on the headlands if running low or just wanting to save seed.” This remote adjustment capability contributes to better field management, especially when facing changing field conditions throughout the day.
Reliable Seed Placement in Varied Conditions
Seed placement is crucial to achieving good crop emergence, and the U-Drill’s unique coulter and press wheel system helps ensure consistent results. "The disc coulter we’re finding does a great job," Thomas notes. “It leaves the seed where it needs to be, even at higher speeds.” This is made possible by the U-Drill’s optimized coulter pressure, which maintains stability and uniformity across different soil types.
Additionally, the U-Drill’s front and rear packers assist with soil consolidation and ensure that seed-to-soil contact is consistent. The front packer, with an 800mm diameter, helps level the soil, while the staggered rear packers allow for effective reconsolidation, making it easier to work in wet conditions when necessary. “The wide wheels on the front of the U-Drill and the staggered packers at the back are very useful, especially for working in wetter conditions,” Thomas explains. “It’s not ideal, but sometimes we just have to work in those conditions to get finished.”
More Than Just an Upgrade
For Thomas, the Kverneland U-Drill has been more than just an upgrade — it’s become a critical part of his farm’s seeding operations. Reflecting on his experience, he shares, “Based on our experience with the Kverneland tillage equipment, we would have no problem recommending the U-Drill to any other farmers. It definitely is a drill to get through work when work needs to be done.” With its combination of high-speed capability, advanced features, and user-friendly design, the U-Drill offers Irish farmers like Thomas an efficient and dependable solution to tackle seeding under tight weather constraints.
