Buy new and used Väderstad seed drills and soil cultivation equipment – a wide selection of seed drills, precision seed drills, compact disc harrows and cultivators directly from specialist dealers. Väderstad, based in Sweden, specialises in soil preparation and sowing – best known for its Rapid drill, the Carrier compact disc harrow and the Tempo precision seeder. You’ll find Väderstad products in our ‘Seed Drills’ and ‘Soil Tillage Equipment’ categories; each listing includes the year of manufacture, working width, specifications and – where stated – the area worked. The machines are supplied by Mecklenburger Landtechnik in Gülzow-Prüzen; the stock is constantly changing.
Väderstad at a glance
Väderstad was founded in 1962 by Rune and Siw Stark on their 30-hectare farm, Herrgården, near Väderstad in central Sweden. It all began with a steel-tine harrow designed to replace wooden harrows; this was followed in 1968 by a cultivator, which really got the business off the ground. In 1990, Väderstad showcased the prototypes of the Rapid at the Elmia trade fair in Sweden – a seed drill that combines seedbed preparation and sowing in a single pass. In 1992, Väderstad Ltd. was established in England as the company’s first overseas subsidiary. In 2010, the 10,000th Carrier was sold; in 2011, the company unveiled the Tempo precision seeder at Agritechnica; and in 2013, it acquired the Canadian direct-seeding specialist Seed Hawk in its entirety.
Väderstad remains a family-owned business to this day; its main factory is located in the town of Väderstad. In the 2024 financial year, the group generated a turnover of around 530 million euros (record year 2023: 610 million euros) and employs around 1,900 people. The German sales company, Väderstad GmbH, is based in Werder (Havel).
The Väderstad range – new and used
The overview shows all product ranges, including the current model series and the models most frequently traded second-hand. You can see which machines are currently on offer in the listings on this page.
| Product range | Current model ranges (new) | Frequently traded second-hand | Here at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid seed drills | Rapid 300–400C/S, Rapid A 400–800S, Rapid A 600–800C | Rapid RD 300 S, RD 400 C, RDA 400 S, Rapid A 600 S, Rapid 800 S | Seed drills |
| Spirit pneumatic seed drills | Spirit R 300S, Spirit 400–900S, Spirit 400–900C | Spirit 600 S, Spirit ST 600 C | Seed drills |
| Large-scale and direct drilling | Inspire 1200C/S, Seed Hawk 600–800C, BioDrill (semi-mounted seed drill extension) | – | Seed drills |
| Precision seed drills | Tempo V 6–12, Tempo F 6–8, Tempo L 8–24, Tempo T 6–7, Tempo R, Proceed V 24 | Tempo F8, Tempo V 8 and 12, Tempo L 16 | Seed drills |
| Carrier compact disc harrows | Carrier 300–400, Carrier XT 425–625, Carrier 420–820, Carrier 925–1225, Carrier XL 425–1225 | Carrier CR 500, 650, 820, 1225, Carrier XL | Soil cultivation equipment |
| TopDown multi-function cultivators | TopDown 300–700 | TopDown 500, TD 700 | Soil cultivation equipment |
| Cultivators | Cultus 300–525 and Cultus HD, Opus 400–700, Swift 400–870 | Cultus, Swift 560 | Soil cultivation implements |
| Seedbed preparation combinations and harrows | NZ Mounted 500–600, NZ Aggressive 500–1000, NZ Extreme 1250–1425 | NZ 600 | Soil cultivation equipment |
| Rollers | Rollex 450–620, Rexius 650–1230 | Rexius 650, Rollex | Soil preparation equipment |
What the Väderstad model designation reveals
Väderstad makes it easy for buyers: the number indicates the working width in centimetres. A Carrier 500 has a working width of 5 m, a Rapid 400 around 4 m, and a Rexius 1230 a good 12 m. For seed drills, the number is followed by a letter denoting the specification: C indicates machines for seed and fertiliser with two metering systems, whilst S denotes seed drills only. Older Rapid models often feature the abbreviations RD or RDA before the width specification in advertisements, whilst older Carrier models feature the abbreviation CR – the logic behind the number remains the same. For precision seeders, the number indicates the number of rows: a Tempo F8 sows eight rows, a Tempo L 16 sows sixteen.
| Model | Specifications | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid RD 300 S / 400 C | 3–4 m, single-disc coulter, row spacing 125 mm | Väderstad’s best-selling seed drill: cereals and rapeseed, mulch and plough-sown crops |
| Rapid A 600 S / 800 S (RDA) | 6–8 m, trailed | larger farms, contracting firms |
| Spirit 600 S / 600 C | 6 m, pneumatic, C with fertiliser | high area coverage, conventional and mulch sowing |
| Tempo F8 / V 8 | 8 rows, high working speed | Maize, sugar beet, sunflowers |
| Tempo L 16 | 16 rows, trailed, approx. 12 m | Large-scale maize cultivation |
| Carrier CR 500 / 650 | 5–6.5 m compact disc harrow | Stubble cultivation, seedbed preparation |
| Carrier CR 820 / 1225 | 8.2–12.25 m, trailed | Large-scale farms with high tractor power |
| TopDown 500 / 700 | 5–7 m disc-tine-roller combination | deep loosening and incorporation in a single pass |
What we look for in second-hand Väderstad machinery
Discs and coulters: On Rapid, Spirit and Carrier models, the disc diameter and condition of the bearings determine the residual value. Measure the discs, check for bearing play, and inspect the rubber components of the disc suspension for cracks.
Metering and blower: On pneumatic machines, check the blower, hoses, distributor head and metering rollers; on C-series machines, check both metering systems. Test the calibration check and the forward speed signal on the terminal.
Electronics: Rapid, Spirit and Tempo are electronically controlled; on newer Rapid models, for example, the sowing depth (IDC) can be adjusted from the cab. Check whether the terminal, wiring harness and sensors are supplied with the machine and are compatible with your tractor.
Frame, packer and transport: Check the folding joints, packer wheels and tyres, the braking system and the lights. For large trailed machines, road approval with a brake test must be included in the documentation.
Väderstad in our region: Dealers and stock
Mecklenburger Landtechnik in Gülzow-Prüzen near Güstrow manages our Väderstad stock: mainly seed drills, supplemented by soil cultivation equipment. Working width, number of rows and specifications are listed in each advert. You can find comparable machines under Horsch, Amazone and Lemken; the full range is available in the agricultural machinery category.
Frequently asked questions about Väderstad
What do the letters C and S mean on Väderstad seed drills?
C machines have two metering systems and apply seed and fertiliser in a single pass; S machines sow only. The number before the letter indicates the working width in centimetres – so a Spirit 600 C is a 6-metre seed drill with fertiliser application.
What is the difference between Rapid and Spirit?
Both combine seedbed preparation, sowing and reconsolidation in a single pass. The Rapid is the classic Väderstad seed drill with single-disc coulters, in production since the 1990s; the Spirit is a pneumatic machine with a large hopper for working widths of 4 to 9 metres and high area output.
Which Väderstad machines are most commonly traded second-hand?
On the major second-hand marketplaces, the most popular models are the Rapid seed drill (RD, RDA and Rapid A), the Tempo precision seeder – particularly the Tempo F8 – as well as the Carrier compact disc harrow and the TopDown. Spare parts are therefore readily available.
How fast can a Väderstad Tempo sow?
The Tempo is designed for high speeds; Väderstad claims it operates at twice the speed of conventional precision sowing technology. In 2014, a Tempo R12 set a world record by sowing 306 hectares of sunflowers at an average speed of 19 km/h.
What is the Väderstad TopDown?
A multi-function cultivator combining discs, tines, levelling tools and a roller in a single unit, available in widths from 3 to 7 metres. It loosens the soil deeply, incorporates crop residues and leaves a level surface – often used as a replacement for the plough.
Who owns Väderstad?
Väderstad is a Swedish family-owned company, founded in 1962 by Rune and Siw Stark. Its main factory and headquarters are located in the town of Väderstad, whilst the German sales company is based in Werder (Havel).
What tractor power is required for a Carrier?
That depends on the working width, working depth and soil type: mounted Carrier models up to 4 m can be used with medium-sized tractors, whilst trailed machines from 8 m upwards require large tractors. The dealer specifies the power requirement in the relevant advertisement.
Can I lease a Väderstad machine or finance it via hire purchase?
For many listings – both new and used – you can submit a non-binding leasing or hire-purchase enquiry directly. You can discuss the terms with the dealer or their finance partner; the purchase and payment are handled directly between you and the seller.
An overview of all machine types: Agricultural machinery · Related products: Seed drills, soil cultivation equipment, fertiliser spreaders