DEMAND for a simple mechanical seed drill suited to sowing areas of crop such as wildlife margins and game cover, has led Italian firm, Matermacc’s new UK operation to bring a range of machines to the market here.

While such simple technology was the main method of establishing combinable crops a few decades ago, the advent of new pneumatic drills and minimal or no-tillage crop establishment most machines were sold off, or retired to to be drawn out occasionally for drilling cover or margins, argued Andrew Rabett, of Matermacc’s new UK operation.

As most of these are now past their best, there is a market for a quality, low-cost mechanical drill for such tasks, he believed.

“Seed mixes are not cheap and entrusting establishment to an old drill that may have worn seed flutes and coulters can put the investment in seed and time at risk,” said Mr Rabett.

“Our Grano seed drills are a low cost yet high quality alternative that can help ensure the investment made in specialist seed is given the start it requires. And, of course, these machines also suit small farms growing any ordinary combinable crop.”

Linkage mounted, the Grano drills are available from 2.5-6m and can be specified as seed-only or seed/fertiliser versions. Coulter choice includes conventional Suffolk, single disc, double disc and double disc with press wheel. Coulter pressure is altered via a central adjustment.

The seed hopper, which is equipped with an acoustic low-level alarm and seed agitators, has a capacity of 283-670 litres, depending on model and is accessed via a full-width platform and an easy-to-open lid.

Two different rollers allow the drill to handle small and large seeds, while a stepless, continuously-variable gearbox takes care of metering. Calibration is via a simple handle.

There's also a half-width shut-off and full transport lighting. Options include a split seed/fertiliser hopper, following harrow, hydraulic row markers and track eradicators, while automatic tramlining pre-emergence markers can also be specified.

Price for a 3m double disc coulter Grano is approximately £12,000.