“A Great Decision”: Craig Bardney’s Experience with RYAN NT Retrofit Discs on his Horwood Bagshaw Scaribar
Farming in Yenda, New South Wales, requires equipment that can handle the unique challenges of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. For Craig Bardney, the decision to switch from tynes to RYAN NT retrofit double discs on his Horwood Bagshaw Scaribar transformed his planting operations. After seven seasons with the discs, Craig reflects on their performance and the benefits they’ve brought to his farm.
"A Cheap Way to Get into turn My Horwood Bagshaw Scaribar into a Disc Seeder"
Craig's introduction to RYAN NT discs came at the Henty Field Days, where he first saw the potential of upgrading his tyne-based system. “I like the principle and the ability to handle the trash,” he said. The cost-effectiveness of the retrofit was also a major draw. “It was a cheap way of converting the air seeder over to discs.”
The straightforward conversion process of the Horwood Bagshaw Scaribar took Craig just two days in the workshop. “It was a one-man operation by myself, I got it all done trouble-free,” he explained. “It was as simple as undoing two bolts, removing the tyne, and fitting the disc assembly. Everything went together as it should.”
Craig Bardney with his Horwood Bagshaw Scaribar fitted with RYAN NT Discs
Outstanding Trash Management and Tough Conditions
Craig quickly noticed the discs' ability to handle trash and challenging conditions. “I love it when you're going through a bit of trash, and you look down and it's just doing a really nice job,” he shared. “There's no balls of trash; it's just doing what they're designed to do. I love that.”
One standout test came during a wet planting season in burnt rye stubble. “I had burnt rye stubble that I was trying to direct drill into, and it was pretty wet out there,” Craig explained. “Normally, with a tyne, there's just zero chance of sowing into those conditions. The press wheels I got on the back were just blocking up with mud, but not a single disc. Not a single row blocked up with this system.”
Even when the tractor was struggling, the discs performed flawlessly. “The tractor was slipping and sliding but the seed was going just where I wanted it. I couldn't believe the conditions I was going into, and yet it did the job.”
Craig Bardney's Horwood Bagshaw Scaribar fitted with RYAN NT Discs
Exceptional Performance in Wire Weed with the Horwood Bagshaw Scaribar Discs
Craig also highlighted the discs' effectiveness in handling tough weeds. “I've been through paddocks that had wire weed and was just totally amazed with the job it does,” he said. “Trash and stuff like that—it's just a non-event. Handles everything.”
Craig Bardney's Horwood Bagshaw Scaribar fitted with RYAN NT Discs
Consistent Sowing and Fuel Efficiency
The design of the RYAN NT discs contributed to consistent sowing depth and seed placement. “The way you have the sowing tube in the front of the axle—perfect rows on establishment,” Craig noted. “The seed goes exactly where I want it, even in challenging conditions.”
Craig also noticed a significant reduction in fuel consumption after switching to discs. “Was using around 40 litres an hour with the tyne system,” he shared. “Now we're using about 24 litres an hour. Less horsepower, less fuel—all the positives when you're planting with discs.”
Early Access to Fields & Handling Different Soil Moisture Conditions
With the discs, Craig found he could start planting earlier after rainfall than when using tynes. “You're getting onto the country before a tyne will,” he emphasised.
He also appreciated that the discs didn't block up with mud. “They don't block up with mud; it's impossible unless you go the wrong way,” he said. “Especially your system with the way the seeding tube is in front of the axle.”
Craig noted how soil moisture can affect disc performance regarding soil throw. “The only thing I've sort of found with the discs is if the moisture of the soil is dry, it doesn't throw it so much,” he explained. ” If the soil has had a heap of rain on it, the discs will throw a lot more. And then it doesn't get as much covering on the top of the seed — any disc is the same.”
The solution was simple: “You just slow down. That's all it is,” Craig said. “You're still covering the seed – plus you’re onto the paddock before a tyne would be.”
Understanding Soil Types
Craig described the soil types on his farm and how the discs performed. “It's not quite like, the soils out west of Griffith—the Benerembah soils,” he noted. “It's sort of heavy grey, sort of clay loam, clays out there. This is a little bit lighter soil where we are here. So generally speaking, I can get onto it a little bit before those guys can—not quite as heavy in the clay content.”
Reliability Over Seven Planting Seasons
Over seven planting seasons, the RYAN NT retrofit discs have proven their durability and reliability. “They've been really good. It's only done one bearing—happened yesterday, actually, believe it or not,” Craig said. “I was pretty lucky I had a spare gang assembly sitting on the shelf – undid the two bolts on the head assembly and the sowing tube bolts, put the discs on, and away I went. Took me an hour to get going again.”
He praised the simplicity of maintenance and minimal downtime. “Everything went together as it should, as you expect. Two bolts, and out comes the tyne, and in goes the disc assembly.”
"I'm Glad I Bought Them for my Horwood Bagshaw Scaribar"
Craig was emphatic when asked if he'd ever go back to tynes. “No! Not for sowing, no!” he declared. “Once the discs went on, that's it—they're staying on.”
He did mention keeping a tyne machine for cultivation purposes. “I ended up buying another machine with tynes to be a cultivator. It was the other job this machine used to do, but once the discs went on, they're staying on.”
Craig summed up his experience by saying, “I'm glad I bought them. They've been a good investment for my Horwood Bagshaw Scaribar.”
A Word from RYAN NT
The team at RYAN NT is committed to designing products that meet the real-world needs of Australian farmers. “Hearing Craig’s success story reminds us why we strive for innovation and reliability,” a company spokesperson said. “The RYAN NT retrofit double discs are built to handle tough conditions, improve efficiency, and deliver consistent results season after season.”
Learn More About RYAN NT Retrofit Discs
Discover how the RYAN NT retrofit double discs can transform your planting operations. Whether it’s reducing fuel consumption, handling trash, or sowing in tough conditions, these discs are designed to deliver.
Explore the range and learn more:
- Ryan NT Retrofit Double Discs
- 10 Different Disc Seeder Retrofits by Ryan NT
- No Till Seeder Options: Discs or Tynes?
Contact us today to find the perfect retrofit solution for your farm.
