Launched in 1991, the Rapid drill has been one of the key implements in the progression of reduced cost and cutting time in crop establishment.

Evolved from the Vaderstad Direct Seeder (DS), Rapid drilling has become a technique in itself practised by over 10,000 operators throughout Europe. The reduction of establishment costs, time, and quality of establishment still remain Vaderstad's main aims.

In November 1992 the contract with Vaderstad's importer in England was terminated and Vaderstad-Verken's first subsidiary abroad was set up as Vaderstad Ltd. Vaderstad Ltd was soon displaying its products on its own stand at Smithfield Show, to a good reception by dealers and farmers.

The UK subsidiary of Vaderstad-Verken is now the longest standing and largest market for the company in Europe.

Many of the current Vaderstad dealers have been with us from the start. The above picture shows an early demonstration conducted by Fife Tractors Ltd. In the above pictures are Les Davidson (Kverneland area manager), Richard Farnie (sales rep for Lothian Tractors), Reg Wilkinson (then Ford sales manager, but soon to become Vaderstad area sales manager!), Farmers Colin Herron, Andrew Fulton and Andrew Batchelor and Alastair Aird from Fife Tractors Ltd.

The number of Vaderstad machines in the UK has now topped the 6,000 mark, more than 2,000 of those being Rapid drills.

1991 Rapid drill launched. 300S - 400S (3/4m) box drill with end tow kit for transport. Similar coulter mechanism to DS drill, Hassier gearbox and metering unit used. Depth set by altering rear beam to main chassis, one rear press wheel sets depth of 2 disc coulter units with consistent lOOKgs per disc. Available with and without fertiliser placement. 37cm serrated discs used, with red hub. Red narrow coulters, Yellow wide coulters. Optional L type 9mm tine following harrow. Hydraulic levelling board optional. Low leading rigid tines optional. Pneumatic following wheels 14" rim and nearly full width tyre, flat linkage rods. Adjustable flat tyre scrapers.

1992 600P (6m Pneumatic) folding drill introduced using accord metering unit and accord PTO fan. All above apply.

1993 Full range of air drills, 400P (4m), 450P (4.5m), 500P (5m) single seeder unit with air sweep floor to move seed into unit, 600P (6m), 800P (8m) double seeder units. 37cm disc complete with hub S/no.702. Much improved MKII control box with separate RPM meter and buzzer box to operate air and box drills. PTO and hydraulic fan options. 12mm L type following harrow. 15" wheel rim smaller wheel not full width coverage.

1994 Increased front tool options -double levelling boards, higher clearance rigid tines, and Agrilla spring tines.

1995 300P introduced, 500P equipped with double seeder units.

1996 400P,450P Air sweep floor replaced with steeper sided hopper.

1997 System disc introduced on machines. Marker arms increased in strength and support bearings introduced on ram and marker, retro fittable. S/No. 1700 , 40cm disc introduced, retro fittable to machines without red hub. S/No. 2212, ducksfoot scrapers introduced with reduced drag in wetter conditions.

1998 MKl Fenix (F) Introduced. MKII control box includes alarms and RPM metering, full clutch control of metering unit. Fenix metering unit provides greater accuracy and is easier to calibrate. Fenix distribution head, seed pipes become two piece linking on tank. Swept 12mm following harrows more flexible less tendency to rake.

1999 MKll Fenix introduced at Smithfield 1998. Rollover hopper cover. Yellow clamps on suspension units more indented to stiffen rubber clamps. Steps and platform moved to the front of drill. Front lift ram changed for chrome shims for front depth control. Fenix fan unit introduced, no longer accord. On Rapid Box drills the Hassier transmission is replaced with Vaderstad's own metering units and gearbox. Metering wheel moved from centre of machine to the side.

2001 RDF 800 models able to be fitted with system disc launched at Smithfield 2000. Hydraulic rear loading auger introduced as an option. Rear wheel forks recessed for scraper arm. Increased wheel fork clearance - reduced draft in wet conditions.

2002 Rapid Air (seed) 4-8m (RDA) and Rapid Air (combi) 6m-8m (RDAC) launched at Agritechnica Nov 01. Bigger rear press wheels. Longer wheel forks. Sweep style following harrows with increased clearance from press wheels. New KanBus digital control box. Hydraulic seed drive using radar available as an option, seed rates can be altered on the move.

2003 Rapid Super XL launched at Smithfield Oct 02. Increased hopper capacity from 2400L to 2900L on Rapid 300S. Front drawbar increased in size and strength. Disc track eradicators introduced on RDAS drills.

2004 Mkll RDAS drills launched at Agritechnica Nov 03. Disc size increased to 41cm to allow more bite and drive. Disc hardness increased (V55) to improve wearing life. Increased size and strengthen of frame throughout machine. Level lift frame work for increased under beam clearance. Greater system disc stagger and disc to crossboard stagger. Highly improved trash and soil flow. Increased hopper capacities for all models. Front system discs become hydraulically operated for on the move adjustment. Digital scales for calibration. Transport folding lock easier to operate with mechanical wheel retraction system. Quick hitch front tools.

2005 RDAS OffSet drills launched Smithfield Nov 04. Rear press wheels staggered to reduce draft and reduce wheel stall. Increased wheel footprint reduces headland compaction, eases trash and soil flow. X pattern system disc introduced on Rapid Super XL. Double tine following harrow.

To be continued....