DRIVING IMPRESSION: The multi-purpose Rapid drill from Väderstad has quickly become a popular choice with farmers looking to cut their crop establishment costs. Here we put the entry-level 3m Rapid 300 P under the profi spotlight, and try to find out whether the drill’s high output performance justifies its hefty price tag

The Väderstad Rapid 300 P caters for those farms that are trying to cut back on ploughing, reduce establishment costs and speed up daily work rates. How does it do it? With the help of a diverse range of modular planting and cultivating components:

  • A double-row spring tine cultivator breaks clods and crumbles the soil;
  • A single-row of trailing tines levels the ground;
  • Two rows of serrated disc coulters (40cm diameter) are mounted at an angle, and they are spaced at 12.5cm intervals;
  • A packer roller, which comprises 12 tyres (690/180x15s), consolidates and acts as a transport kit;
  • Each packer tyre controls the depth of two seeding coulters;
  • Rear following tines cover the seed with crumbled soil.