It’s flexibility follows the contours of our uneven terrain of washouts and hills very well compared to our previous drill. Seeding into stripper stubble is no issue with residue clearance or cutting through heavy straw. It is built very heavy and has no problems with soil penetration in hard/dry conditions. The Mark 3 openers are robust and don’t flex in our hard clay soil. I like the simplicity of the coil spring on the openers as opposed to all the problems that come with the hydraulic down pressure system. As with any new design there were some growing pains. The customer service is exceptional. They went above and beyond to resolve any issues.
Ross Straub
Hilda, AB
I have owned a Pillar drill for 9 years now, I started with a 50′ and now own a 60′. The drill has great trash clearance and minimal tillage to conserve moisture. Seed depth accuracy is excellent. I would highly recommend this drill for sandy and lighter clay soil. Seeding speed varies from 5-5.8 MPH depending on the amount of trash and seed depth. I’ve had great customer service from Pillar.
Kalin Deis
Fox Valley, SK
I have used Pillar Laser openers for the past 5 years on 3 different drill frames. The sidebanding scraper allows for adjustable seed and fertilizer separation and provides an effective way to reduce or eliminate hairpinning in the seedrow. Coming from a single disc (Flexicoil 6000) I really noticed how the Pillar opener was able to cut through residue and place seed on a shelf with good soil contact.
The coil spring provides adjustable downforce without extra hydraulic requirements so that a Pillar owner gets independent opener depth control without the need for a newer tractor with high flow hydraulics.
The residue clearance of the opener with the deflector is very good. I grow flax and rye and harvest both with a stripper header and seed directly into the residue without any extra field operations.
To my operation, the Pillar opener is a very cost effective way of placing seed and fertilizer accurately in the soil in ideal and less than ideal moisture and residue conditions.
Andy Kirschenman Hilda
Alberta, Canada
“I used the Pillar Disc/Hoe openers on 7.5 inch spacing on a Flexi-coil 6000 frame in 2010. We have seeded 7000 acres, some in very wet conditions and the openers worked flawlessly. We seeded at speeds up to 9 mph (Pillar suggested 6.5-7mph) without sacrificing seed or fertilizer placement and field finish. It does an exceptionally even job of seed placement at any speed and residue is not an issue. The scraper/seed boot cuts a ledge making a firm seed bed. It places seed on the ledge resulting in exceptional germination under all conditions. This is a very simple and economical machine that performs better than many machines selling for twice the price. Pillar’s service was very good. They were in my field with me the first day to help explain and set things up. They were always available and helpful by phone any time, 6 days a week. A very knowledgeable and experienced group, willing to answer all questions about how to set things and why. The big advantage of the small company is that you can talk to the guys that designed, built and tested these openers rather than a salesman.”
Colin Rosengren Midale
Saskatchewan, Canada
“Our experiences with the Pillar Disc/Hoe opener was very positive. We saw improved plant stand establishment with the Pillar Disc/Hoe opener compared to a standard hoe opener. We were happy with the residue clearance as well as the reduced soil disturbance. The independent depth control was a clear advantage with uneven terrain especially with shallow seeded crops like canola. We struggled establishing camelina, a very small and shallow seeded crop with the standard hoe openers but have been very successful with the Pillar Disc/Hoe openers. Unfortunately we didn’t compare them to the Barton disc openers. We will be planting all of our plots and demos with the Pillar Disc/Hoe openers from now on.”
Ken Coles M.Sc. B.Sc.
Southern Applied Research Association
Lethbridge, Alberta Canada
The emergent uniformity is exact, everything came up nice and even. Within 7 days after seeding the Canola was all ½” high, it’s some of the best looking Canola around.
Lyle Neigum
Leader SK
What we like best about the Pillar drill is the seed and fertilizer placement and the speed we could drive. We can comfortably drive 6.5-7 mph.
What we like best about our Pillar Heavy Harrow is that you can adjust everything on the go.
Star Valley Farms
Neaunlague SK