3710 Bourgault Seeder

[lesm]

Been using flexicoil 5000's for the last 20 years and been trying out Bourgault's 3310 on 10 inch spacing for the last 2 years. Not totally im pressed with trash clearance nor the speed that I have to travel to seed. Used a 3710 disk seeder on 400 scres this year and totally liked the machine. However thinking of going to 7.5 spacing-some experts feel we are losing yield in wheat by not seeding in narrower rows. Incidently wer are in a high rainfall area. Any experience in using disk drills, life of the disks and bearings in these machines, and any general comments would be appreciated. Also considering a 1890 JD on 7.5 spacing.

[rodedgar]

I used an 1895 for 5 years and switched to 3310. I had trouble in 3 out of 5 years with no black soil and late spring frost. I would lose a lot of canola and I blame the soil temp. Any neighbor fields with lots of disturbance would not lose canola to a light frost.
The disc is ideal for moisture retention, but we haven't been dry here in 20 years, so not necessary.
No action to smooth out fields, if you make ruts they will stay there.
I developed a beautiful layer of tilth on top that the disc had trouble penetrating in soft soil. No not hairpinning, it would just squeeze the tilth and leave seed there. In 90% of the field where soil was firm, no problem. Seeds will germinate in tilth with a rain.
1895 is a great machine, well built, but a pain to grease. One zerk behind depth control, have to move depth, grease and put back, annoying.
Depth control great, but annoying to change depth.
Heavy machine, I didn't have enough rubber on tractor in wet areas. 710's would have kept it moving a lot more.
Nice to seed at 7 mph cereals,6 canola. but have got used to 5 again.
Disc is good for areas with low rainfall and light straw conditions. If you grow a lot of straw don't buy a disc. Or keep the 5000 and alternate to keep tilth lower.