Keven attributes the favorable results to the moisture conserving practices he has developed; with the 5720 coulter drill playing a big roll. “Seed placement and emergence from the 5720 were excellent, of coarse straw management does become a factor while using a coulter drill. The drill left the field very smooth eliminating the need to roll it. The coulters worked well in all conditions from sandy, rocky, clay to gravel. Breakdowns on this drill were almost non existent even in rocky conditions.”
Keven was pleasantly surprised to find that he could pull a 63’ 5720 and a 350 bushel Air Seeder tank with his 936 versatile at 340 horse. He feels that the 5720 could be pulled faster than a hoe drill as it does not throw as much dirt and leaves the field smoother. His neighbor commented that there were less tire tracks showing behind the 5720 as compared to a hoe drill also.
It has been determined that one inch of moisture returns four bushels of wheat. If one inch of moisture is saved in using the 5720 coulter drill vs. a hoe drill, on 4500 acres, an increase of 18,000 bushels would be realized. At $3.00 a bushel this would increase this farmers income by $54,000.