Wheat Seeder Guide: 6 to 24 Row Seed Drills by Tractor HP

A wheat seeder puts every seed at the same depth and spacing, so the crop comes up evenly and is easier to weed, fertilize and harvest. Many farmers still broadcast wheat by hand or with a spinner and lose seed to birds, poor soil contact and patchy germination. This guide explains how a tractor-mounted wheat seed drill works, how many rows you need for your tractor, and what to check before you order.

How a Disc Wheat Seeder Works

Our SH W2SH series are three-point mounted disc wheat seeders. Each machine carries a seed box and a fertilizer box side by side. As the tractor moves, a ground wheel turns the metering shafts, so the seed rate stays the same whether you drive a little faster or slower. No PTO shaft is needed.

• Disc openers cut a narrow slot through the soil and light residue.
• Seed and fertilizer drop through tubes into the slot in the same pass.
• Covering and pressing close the slot so the seed has firm contact with moist soil.

Sowing depth is adjustable from 20 to 50 mm, the seed rate goes up to 450 kg/ha and the fertilizer rate from 450 to 900 kg/ha. Besides wheat, the same grain drill can sow barley, oats, rice on dry land, millet and similar small grains once the metering is set for the seed size.

SH Wheat Seed Drill Models and Specifications

The table below lists the seven models shown on our seeders page. All are tractor-mounted and ground-wheel driven.

Model	Rows	Row spacing (mm)	Tractor power (hp)	Weight (kg)	Size L×W×H (mm)
W2SH-6	6	220	12–18	197	1600×1450×960
W2SH-9	9	160	12–18	241	1600×1650×960
W2SH-12	12	160	15–25	288	1600×2000×960
W2SH-14	14	160	30–50	319	1600×2280×980
W2SH-16	16	220	30–50	420	1600×2650×960
W2SH-18	18	240	50–60	442	1600×2930×960
W2SH-24	24	150	70–90	700	1800×3900×1420

How to Choose a Wheat Seeder for Your Tractor

Start with the tractor you already own, then pick a grain drill width that it can lift and pull. Look at field size and how much land you must sow in the planting window.

• 12–25 hp small tractors: the 6, 9 or 12-row models. Light and easy to lift, good for family plots, terraces and hilly land.
• 30–50 hp tractors: the 14 or 16-row drill. This is the most common choice for mixed farms of 10–50 ha.
• 50–60 hp: the 18-row model covers almost 3 m per pass.
• 70–90 hp: the 24-row machine, nearly 4 m wide, for large farms and contractors.

Check the rear lift capacity of the tractor when the seed and fertilizer boxes are full, not only the empty weight in the table. If you are buying a new tractor at the same time, our 4WD tractors from 20 to 200 hp can be shipped with the seeder in one container. Not sure about the size? Try the selection assistant.

Seedbed Preparation and Field Setup

A wheat seed drill works best on a firm, level seedbed. Plough or till first, then break clods with a disc harrow or a rotary tiller. Large clods and deep loose soil make the openers ride up and down, and depth becomes uneven.

1. Level the drill side to side and front to back with the top link.
2. Do a calibration test: lift the drill, turn the ground wheel a set number of times and weigh the seed from each tube.
3. Set depth: 20–30 mm in moist soil, up to 50 mm in dry soil.
4. Drive at a steady speed and check depth in the first 50 m.
5. Overlap only one row width on each turn to avoid double seeding.

The FAO notes that well-matched implements are central to sustainable agricultural mechanization, because timely and accurate sowing saves seed, fertilizer and fuel.

Maintenance and Spare Parts

• Empty the fertilizer box after every working day. Fertilizer absorbs moisture and corrodes metering parts.
• Clean seed tubes and check that no tube is blocked by soil or chaff.
• Grease bearings and check chain tension on the drive.
• Inspect opener discs for wear and replace worn discs in sets.
• Store under cover with the openers off the ground.

When you order a tractor seed drill, ask for a spare kit of opener discs, seed tubes and chains. Dealers often keep these in stock for their customers.

Common Mistakes When Buying a Grain Drill

• Too wide for the tractor. A full 24-row drill needs a 70–90 hp tractor; a small tractor will struggle to lift it.
• Wrong row spacing. Our models have row spacing from 150 to 240 mm. Choose what matches your local wheat practice and inter-row weeding.
• Skipping calibration. Most poor stands come from wrong seed rate settings, not from the machine.
• Ignoring transport. Wide drills need care on narrow farm roads.

Why Buy Direct from the Factory

Shenghang is a seed drill manufacturer in China, building seeders, harrows, tillers and tractors in our own factory. Buying direct means one supplier for the whole sowing line, SH labelling or OEM branding for dealers, export packing and shipping by sea, rail or air. Read our corn planter buying guide if you also grow maize or soybean.

FAQ

What size wheat seed drill fits a 50 hp tractor?

A 14 or 16-row drill suits 30–50 hp tractors. The W2SH-18 suits 50–60 hp.

Can a grain drill for a small tractor also sow rice or barley?

Yes. Small grains such as barley, oats and dry-sown rice can be sown after you adjust the seed rate and calibrate.

Does a tractor seed drill need a PTO?

No. Our disc seeders are driven by a ground wheel, so they work with any tractor that has a three-point linkage.

Are you a seed drill manufacturer in China or a trader?

We are a manufacturer. Seeders are made in our own factory and shipped direct, with SH or OEM labels.

Get a Quote

Send us the model (for example W2SH-16), quantity, your tractor horsepower and your destination port. Message us on WhatsApp +86 133 8469 2372 or see all models on the seeders page. For shipping details read our export guide.