Its ability to create a decent seed-bed in almost any soil conditions and cultivation regime has helped keep the venerable combination drill at the sharp end of manufacturers’ sales charts.

This steadfast demand means there is a broad product range on offer, with compact 3m machines suitable for smaller operations and larger folding models that find homes with contractors and larger farms.

In this article, we look at 12 popular 3m pneumatic drills, most of which cost £30,000-£50,000, including typical extras such as pre-emergence and bout markers.

At the lower end of this bracket, buyers tend to get simple in-cab control boxes and power-harrows that are suitable for tractors under 200hp, but most will have electronic metering systems with GPS or radar speed sensing.

Upping the budget brings in the option of tougher power-harrows, more sophisticated metering systems and higher-spec control terminals with Isobus compatibility.

It’s still possible to spend a good bit less than £30,000 by opting for a machine that has a mechanical seeding mechanism. An example is Kverneland’s DX, which is based on the old Accord SA Compactor. Gravity-fed box drills also come in cheaper than the pneumatic models featured here.

See also: Custom-built cultivators offers money-saving alternative

Amazone AD-P Special 3001

The AD-P Special might be Amazone’s entry-level pneumatic combination drill, but it still comes with an electronic seed-metering system and the option of Isobus control.

Features include power-harrow-mounted centre markers and coulters that are linked to the packer roller so that even seeding depth is maintained when the cultivating element is adjusted. Stepping up to the higher-spec Centaya brings greater hopper capacity and the option of double-disc coulters.

Maschio Alitalia

Maschio’s Alitalia combi drill can be bought with either Suffolk coulters, or single or double discs, which are fed via an electronic metering system with GPS speed control.

The drill is carried on the rear roller and is compatible with most of the firm’s 3m power-harrows with power ratings of up to 300hp. The standard in-cab controller is built by RDS, but the drill is also Isobus-ready.

KRM Soladrill Neu-P Elektra

The Soladrill Neu-P is a new combination drill from KRM that comes with the option of tine, single-disc or double-disc coulters and a large 2,000-litre pressurised hopper to give consistent seed flow from full to empty.

It features an electronically driven seed-metering system with twin external distribution heads, Isobus compatibility and the option of section control and variable-rate seeding. On the higher-spec version, double-disc coulters are mounted on a parallel linkage to help them follow ground contours.

Horsch Express KR

Horsch offers two power-harrow combination drills – the Versa KR box drill and the Express KR pneumatic seeder. This sits on a Horsch Kredo power-harrow, which is built using Kuhn components, and has a hydraulic-lifting coulter bar fitted with the firm’s Turbodisc double-disc coulters.

It’s available with a single seed-only or double grain and fertiliser hopper, as well as a front tank. Seed is metered electronically with radar speed sensing and it is Isobus compatible.

Bramleys Seed Establishment Combi

The Combi is the work of Yorkshire farmer Phil Bramley and features a 750kg hopper that feeds a set of 24 Vaderstad disc coulters. Metering is electronic with radar speed sensor, and it’s controlled via an RDS Artemis Lite terminal. It is usually teamed with a heavy-duty Kuhn HR3004 power-harrow, but it can be adapted to suit most makes. Front cultivating toolbars are also available to turn it into a single-pass machine.

Kverneland E-drill compact

Sitting above the simpler DA- and S-drill models, the E-drill compact from Kverneland offers features such as electronic seed metering, electric half-width shut-off and hydraulic lifting of the coulter bar, which is fitted with CX-II single-disc coulters.

Hopper size on the standard model is 1,100 litres, the Maxi version holds 1,600 litres and the Maxi Plus has a 1,700-litre capacity with a divider to carry seed and fertiliser.

Kuhn Venta 100-series

The Venta 100-series is a new lighter addition to Kuhn’s pneumatic Venta seed drill range, which has been designed to suit tractors from 120-150hp. Features include a 1,150-litre hopper (with an extension fitted), electric in-cab seed rate adjustment and a set of single-disc coulters that are mounted off the packer roller so that power-harrow adjustment doesn’t affect seeding depth.

As the drill is designed for lower-horsepower tractors, the hydraulic requirement of the fan has been reduced from 35 to 26 litres/min. Those looking for a more robust machine have the option of the heavier-duty and higher-spec Venta 1000-series.

Alpego Jet-M

The Jet-M is the simpler of Alpego’s two pneumatic combination drills, which can be mounted on the firm’s 80-170hp RM 300 Rapido power-harrow or the heavier-duty RK 300. Coulters are single-disc units that have a simple rubber block suspension system, depth adjustment and a levelling bar. Seed is distributed via an electric-drive stainless steel metering system with GPS speed control. Manual half-width shut-off comes as standard.

Stepping up to the Jet-X brings in features such as a larger hopper, Isobus control and a more sophisticated seed metering and distribution arrangement.

Sulky Master P30

Sulky offers two pneumatic power-harrow combi drills, with the Progress catering for those wanting high-end features and the Master offering simpler, more affordable seeding.

Buyers can either spec the firm’s Unidisc single-disc coulters or traditional Suffolks that give 30kg and 20kg of down pressure, respectively. Both are fed from a 1,000-litre hopper and most UK models get an electronic metering system with GPS speed sensing and an external distribution head.

Weaving Combi

Weaving keeps things simple with its tine combination drill that’s been designed to minimise running costs. The coulters are positioned over three rows for good trash clearance and have auto-reset protection built in.

Metering is electronic with GPS speed sensing, and it is managed via an RDS Artemis Lite controller. Typically, the firm will mount the drill onto a customer’s power-harrow of choice (often Kuhn), but it can provide one of its own.

Lemken Solitair 9

The Solitair 9 is the premium model in Lemken’s mounted combination drill line-up, sitting above the simpler “8” models that have a mechanically driven metering system. Seeding is carried out by the firm’s double-disc coulters with integrated press wheels, which are mounted on a parallel linkage that allows them to follow contours. The coulter bar can also lift hydraulically.

All models have electronic metering, with the standard version managed by a conventional in-cab controller and the 9+ running on Isobus or the firm’s CCI terminal. Following harrow options include a simple single unit or double S-harrow that can be fitted with hydraulic adjustment.

Pottinger Aerosem A

The Aerosem is Austrian firm Pottinger’s take on the pneumatic combination drill and it comes with two variants – the A with single-disc coulters and the ADD with double discs. The drill mounts to the packer roller and comes with a 1,250-litre hopper that can be extended to 1,850 litres. Many UK-spec models feature electronic seed metering with a radar speed sensor, but a mechanical system is still available.