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Efficient planting and precise seed placement are fundamental to modern UK farming. Agricultural drilling and planting equipment allows farmers to maximise yields, optimise seed usage, and reduce labour costs. At Gable Business Finance, we specialise in arranging finance for both new and used drilling and planting machinery, helping farms and rural businesses access the equipment they need without straining cash flow.
This comprehensive guide explores types of drilling equipment, UK and international manufacturers, technical details, seasonal finance strategies, FAQs, and illustrative case studies. It is designed for farmers, contractors, and rural enterprises seeking expert guidance on financing essential machinery.
Drilling and planting equipment is used to create seedbeds and deposit seeds accurately. Modern machines can combine soil preparation and seeding in one pass, improving efficiency and crop establishment. Common UK drilling equipment includes conventional drills, combination drills, direct drills, and strip-till drills. They can be mounted on tractors or trailed behind them.
Conventional drills are designed for ploughed or tilled soils. They may be combined with a power harrow or cultivator to prepare the seedbed and sow seeds simultaneously. They are reliable for traditional arable farming systems and produce even seed placement for optimal germination.
Combination drills integrate soil cultivation with seeding. Using discs or tines, they prepare the seedbed and deposit seeds in a single pass. This approach saves time, reduces fuel costs, and allows accurate sowing in varying soil conditions.
Direct drills place seeds directly into uncultivated soil. They are ideal for minimum or no-till farming systems, helping preserve soil structure, organic matter, and moisture. Direct drilling is becoming increasingly popular in the UK as farmers adopt conservation agriculture practices.
Strip-till drills cultivate narrow strips where seeds are placed, leaving the remainder of the soil undisturbed. This method improves weed control, reduces erosion, and maintains soil moisture while achieving precise seed placement.
Gable Business Finance has experience arranging finance for a wide range of UK and international drilling and planting machinery. Here is a detailed overview of the manufacturers we work with:
Amazone is a leading European manufacturer of pneumatic and mechanical drills. Their range includes:
Amazone machinery is valued in the UK for precision, reliability, and high-capacity performance.
Kuhn manufactures both mechanical and pneumatic seed drills, including:
Kuhn drills are known for adaptability, low maintenance, and suitability across various soil types.
Horsch offers both combination and direct drills:
Horsch equipment is widely used in the UK for its durability and efficiency in high-performance arable operations.
Väderstad is renowned for combination drills capable of cultivating and sowing in one pass. Their flagship models include:
Väderstad drills are ideal for large-scale UK farms seeking high-output, precision sowing solutions.
Claydon specialises in strip-till and direct drills designed for conservation agriculture:
These machines are valued for improved soil health, reduced erosion, and precise seed placement.
Weaving provides a range of direct drills suitable for minimum or no-till farming:
Modern drills incorporate advanced technology to improve seed placement, soil contact, and crop establishment:
Gable Business Finance provides a wide range of finance options tailored to UK farming operations. These solutions allow businesses to acquire essential machinery without significant upfront cash outlay.
Hire Purchase is a popular choice for farms that want to own the machinery at the end of the term. Features include:
Finance Lease provides flexibility for farms and contractors who want to use the machinery without immediate ownership:
Traditional term loans provide a straightforward method of purchasing machinery:
Many UK farms have fluctuating cash flow depending on harvest, crop sales, or livestock cycles. Gable Business Finance offers:
Yes, including conventional, combination, direct, and strip-till drills, both mounted and trailed, as well as precision seeding and integrated soil preparation systems.
Yes. We arrange finance for both new and used equipment, including auction or private purchases.
Absolutely. We design payment structures to align with crop cycles and harvest income, easing cash flow pressure.
Yes. Multiple drills, combination machines, or associated implements can be bundled into a single finance package.
Not always. Many agreements include VAT deferral, allowing farms to manage working capital more effectively.
Yes. Refinancing existing drilling and planting equipment can unlock capital for new purchases or farm expansion.
Terms usually range from 2 to 7 years depending on the asset, its expected life, and the chosen finance product.
Yes. We support smallholdings, mixed farms, large arable farms, and contracting businesses across the UK.
A 500-hectare arable farm in Lincolnshire upgraded to a Väderstad Rapid combination drill. Gable arranged a seasonal Hire Purchase plan with payments aligned to post-harvest income, allowing immediate use without cash flow strain.
A Midlands contractor required a direct drill for no-till operations. Gable structured a finance lease with a balloon payment coinciding with seasonal income, enabling immediate deployment.
A family-owned arable farm acquired a Kuhn SITERA drill. Gable arranged an HP agreement with VAT deferral and seasonal payments tailored to planting and harvesting cycles.
A Hampshire farm invested in a Horsch Pronto for minimum tillage. Gable arranged a term loan with structured monthly repayments aligned with harvest income, optimising cash flow.
A Yorkshire farm acquired a Claydon strip-till drill. Gable structured HP finance over five years with seasonal payments, allowing the farm to expand operations without overextending capital.
A Scottish contractor purchased an Amazone Cirrus mounted drill. Gable arranged a finance lease with end-of-season payments, matching client contract schedules.
An arable farm in Norfolk invested in a Weaving disc drill. Gable structured a blended HP and refinance package to include maintenance costs and optimise cash flow.
A large East Anglian farm acquired a Horsch Avatar drill to expand arable operations. Gable arranged seasonal HP payments over 5 years, ensuring predictable cash flow while maximising productivity.
A successful crop begins with proper sowing. Using the right machinery ensures accurate seed placement, efficient work, and healthier crop establishment.
A seed drill is a key piece of farming equipment designed to sow seeds at the correct depth and spacing. It has been central to agriculture since ancient times and dramatically improves productivity compared to manual seed placement.
Yes. Seed drills are generally robust and well suited for second-hand purchase. When buying used, consider the hopper size, boom width, horsepower requirements, and whether the drill is pneumatic.
A combination drill integrates a seed drill with other soil-working tools—such as harrows, disc coulters, rollers, or rotary cultivators—allowing soil preparation and seeding in one pass.
Yes. Combination drills are more complex than standard seed drills. It’s wise to test the machine with a compatible tractor before buying. Although more expensive and intricate, they can significantly boost productivity.
A basic seed drill is cheaper, easier to maintain, and highly reliable. While it may not work as fast as a combination drill, it often offers excellent value and simplicity.
A press is a machine used in sowing and planting to firm soil and improve seed-to-soil contact. Presses come in many sizes and often include features like hydraulic paddles, folding mechanisms, and durable tines.
Yes. Presses are sturdy machines, and buying one second-hand typically provides many years of reliable service. Popular manufacturers include Simba, Knight, Lynx, Farmforce, Vaderstad, and Dowdeswell.
For simple equipment, a careful visual inspection is usually enough. For more complex machinery, such as combination drills, a full operational test is recommended to ensure everything works properly.
Gable Business Finance has the expertise, lender relationships, and knowledge of UK agricultural operations to make financing drilling and planting equipment simple and flexible. From conventional drills to advanced direct and strip-till systems, we provide bespoke finance solutions that align with seasonal farming cycles, helping farms and rural businesses modernise, optimise efficiency, and maintain financial stability.
Contact Gable Business Finance today to discuss finance options for your agricultural drilling and planting equipment. Our team can help you acquire new or used machinery with flexible, affordable finance tailored to your operation.