Seeding Equipment That Keeps Working: Farmer Feedback on RYAN NT Double Discs
When farmers talk about reliable seeding equipment, they usually mean one thing: it keeps operating when conditions aren’t ideal. Wet paddocks, rocks, heavy trash, and long planting runs all put pressure on a seeding system. When these pressures arise, that’s often where weaknesses show up.
The feedback below comes from growers running RYAN NT Retrofit Double Discs. These growers have put the discs in a range of conditions, over different time frames. Some have been using the system for only a few seasons. Whilst others have run the discs for more than a decade. Across those experiences, the focus stays on reliability — whether the discs keep turning, keep placing seed, and avoid stoppages.
What reliability looks like with seeding equipment in the paddock
Reliable seeding equipment isn’t defined by one good paddock or one smooth season. It’s about how the machine behaves when conditions change during sowing and whether it continues operating without constant intervention.
At Ag-Quip Field Days, Paul Ryan spoke with Narrabri farmer Bill Guest. Bill has been running RYAN NT retrofit discs on his Napier drill for over three seasons. He describes the system as straightforward and dependable, saying the discs “can handle rocks” and “can handle tough going,” and that “grass etc it just makes no difference.” He explains that “they just sow it in and I get good germination with it.”
Full interview here – https://ryannt.com.au/ryan-nt-retrofit-discs-on-a-napier-grasslands-drill-bill-guests-experience-in-narrabri-nsw/
Pictured: Paul Ryan (left), Bill Guest (right) and Bill Guest's wife (middle)
Seeding equipment that works in wet conditions without stoppages
Wet paddocks are often where seeding equipment starts to struggle. Mud build-up can stop discs turning and force operators to stop and clean components.
Near Wickliffe in Western Victoria, George Burdett retrofitted RYAN NT double discs onto his parallelogram Janke Bar ahead of the 2023 season. Heavy rain fell before sowing began, and conditions quickly deteriorated. Despite the tractor getting bogged more than 25 times, Geoff says “the discs kept turning,” and that “we didn’t have to stop at any stage to remove mud out of the discs.”
Full interview here – https://ryannt.com.au/retrofit-discs-on-janke-parallelogram-george-burdetts-experience-in-western-victoria/
Pictured: George Burdett
Seeding equipment that brings reliability over large acreages
For many growers, reliable seeding equipment needs to hold up over several seasons and across large planting programs.
Narromine farmer Liam Maynard upgraded his Gason Trashworker from tynes to RYAN NT discs as part of a no-kill cropping system. After three seasons of use regarding disc wear, he says there have been “6000 acres on these discs so far,” and that “these are original.” According to Liam, “they’ve done three seasons now” without needing replacement.
Full interview here – https://ryannt.com.au/no-kill-cropping-discs-bring-great-results-on-bruce-maynards-farm/
Pictured: Liam Maynard
Long-term use over multiple plantings
Some growers measure reliability over even longer timeframes.
Richard James from Bute in South Australia has been running RYAN NT Retrofit Double Discs since 2012. He explains that he’s had the discs through “11 plantings now,” and that since fitting them in 2012, he’s “still got all the original bearings on there.” He notes that while he has “changed the discs over,” the bearings and core components remain in service.
Full interview here – https://ryannt.com.au/retrofit-discs-on-a-horwood-bagshaw-air-seeder-richard-james-experience-in-bute-sa/
Pictured: Richard James
Consistent operation and seed placement
Reliability also shows up in how consistently seeding equipment operates through a paddock.
At Whitton in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, Gary Knagge describes the result after running RYAN NT discs compared to his previous tyne setup. “We had a fantastic strike,” he says, explaining that “all our seed placement was just where we needed it,” sitting “around that 3 to 4cm in the ground.” For Gary, the key takeaway was how smoothly the system ran: “Yeah, just went smoothly. No clogging. No nothing.”
Full interview here – https://ryannt.com.au/retrofit-discs-on-an-rfm-ricemaster-air-seeder-gary-knagges-review-whitton-nsw/
Pictured: Gary Knagge
Why reliability matters with seeding equipment
Across these growers, conditions varied widely, including wet paddocks, rocky ground, heavy grass, and long planting programs. However, the focus stayed the same across every operation.
Growers watched whether the discs kept turning and continued placing seed without repeated stoppages.
From thousands of acres to multiple planting seasons, that consistency defines reliable seeding equipment.
For that reason, the RYAN NT Retrofit Double Disc system focuses on simple, practical operation.
The offset double disc layout improves penetration and cutting in difficult ground. As a result, discs continue working instead of blocking up and stopping.
In addition, the front seeding boot helps avoid blockages and places seed at the bottom of the trench.
This design supports accurate placement without adding complexity.
Because the system retrofits onto existing tine trip assemblies, operators retain a familiar setup.
Ultimately, reliability comes from equipment that works consistently, without constant adjustment or intervention.
Word from the Company
A RYAN NT spokesperson says the feedback reflects what the Retrofit Double Disc system is designed to do.
As a result, the message from growers remains consistent across regions and seasons:
“The RYAN NT Double Discs are built to operate in real paddock conditions. Hearing growers talk about the discs continuing to turn, avoiding blockages, and lasting over many seasons reflects the way the system is designed to perform.”
Conclusion
Across different regions and seasons, farmers running RYAN NT Double Discs describe the same outcome.
The system continues operating through wet conditions, heavy residue, rocks, and long planting programs, without clogging or frequent operator intervention.
Therefore, for growers focused on dependable seeding equipment, these experiences show how the discs perform when reliability matters most. They stay operational and keep seed going into the ground throughout demanding sowing conditions.
Learn More
- Ryan NT Retrofit Double Discs — https://ryannt.com.au/retrofit-double-discs/
- No Till Seeder Options: Discs or Tynes? — https://ryannt.com.au/no_till_seeder_options_discs_or_tynes/