Väderstad introduces the new disc cultivator Carrier XT 425-625. With an easy machine setting as well as rotating disc axles, Carrier XT is built to optimize the tillage result depending on the working depth.

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“Our latest high-performance tool, the VRT, is a game-changer,” 
“Versatility is built right into the short, high-speed disc frame that offers more options for producers than ever.”

says Josh Kettle, Salford Tillage Product Manager.

Halo VRT features are designed for performance

The machine’s narrow transportation –12’ wide when folded – means the VRT isn’t much wider than the operating tractor. This design feature reduces obstacles on the road and makes transportation safer for everyone.

The Halo VRT also comes with a complete field finishing package. Already a popular feature with producers who have field tested the VRT machine, the finishing package comes with a double 14” roller and offers operators the ability to level, smooth, breakdown clods, roots and balls of soil, and even leave a herringbone finish. The field finishing package enables operators to completely customize their own fields. One the greatest benefits of the new Halo VRT is the machine’s versatility and its ability to perform just about every tillage function. For many Salford customers, that means they can invest in and maintain just one machine that they can use all-year long.

The latest in the halo lineup

When Salford came out with the Halo tillage family in 2020, they had one thing in mind – create a new lineup that meets and exceeds producer needs. They started by asking producers and operators how Salford could help improve their soil management goals, operator ease and efficiency, crop yields, and overall farm productivity. The response quickly led Salford to realize the need for tillage tools that are capable of handling a variety of field conditions.

“Not everyone wants or needs a lineup of tillage tools in their own yard, so Salford set out to design a new family of machines to be more versatile and meet the needs of every season with one machine,”

says Kettle.

The result was the release of the Halo family. The Halo HSD was the first in the Halo lineup that is designed as a multi-season tillage tool offering growers speed and a superior field finish. The Halo AerWay offers growers a less aggressive tillage tool that focuses on soil aeration and improving soil tilth while also offering effective residue management. And now, in 2022, Salford is introducing a revolutionary tillage machine set to be the most versatile in the industry, the Halo VRT.

“The Halo VRT brings two of the original Halo machines together in a new high-performance model,”
“Ultimately, you can do more with the VRT, thanks to all the customizable options. The VRT shines in fields with variable conditions, whether it’s within one field or multiple tillage seasons, it’s versatility is what makes this new addition to the Halo family so extraordinary.”

says Kettle.

Meeting and exceeding customer needs

“Salford has been a long-time player in soil management, and the company’s approach to identifying gaps in the market, along with its extensive R&D process, has led to the development of the VRT,” 
“We’re in the business of meeting customer needs and making a difference in their fields.”

says Kettle, explaining that Salford’s approach to new product development extends from customer feedback and suggestions through to engineering, manufacturing and in-field testing with growers and customers.

When customers were first consulted and asked what features they would like in a new tillage tool, the predominant response was one machine that could work in multiple soil conditions. Road transportation was a pain point for many of those consulted who said it’s one of the more stressful parts of their job. These requests led to the variable angle design of the VRT and narrow transport – both features that have had overwhelming positive feedback from in-field testing.

Kettle says the VRT was designed with customers who work in variable corn and soybean conditions. Salford customers had been asking for a tillage tool that could perform anywhere at any time of the year.

“For those producers who run two tools for multiple passes, or different types of field passes, the VRT can now help them consolidate their fleet because it’s versatility offers the flexibility of both aggressive and lighter passes – but with only one machine,”

he explains.

Source: Selford Group

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Thanks to its special design, several different operations are possible using one machine. Specifically, stone crushing, wood mulching, and soil tilling up to a depth of 40 cm. This translates into a broad range of applications in many sectors of the forestry and agricultural industry, and also in the construction of dirt roads and forest trails.

The model was recently completely redesigned to better satisfy user needs. The entire transmission has been reinforced and is now designed for tractors up to 310 HP. At the same time, brand new technology – the first of its kind in the market – comes into play, the so-called 2SPEED-POWERSHIFT transmission. This “powershift” transmission allows the operator to easily switch from one rotor speed to another, from the tractor itself and with the machine running. Unlike the past, when it was necessary to stop the tractor and machine, shift a mechanical lever on the central box, and then restart. The advantages are clear: fast adaptation to the field conditions and the right operating model for all work situations.

In slow gear, at about 500 rpm, the machine is suitable for all soil works and stone crushing. In fast gear, at about 1500 rpm, it is suitable for surface mulching.

Switching occurs through the tractor ISOBUS terminal. This terminal can also be adapted to older tractors without ISOBUS. Even the temperatures are monitored by the control unit in order to promptly intervene in case of a malfunction in the cooling circuits. The counter, which keeps tabs on the hours and parts subject to wear, and which is now incorporated in the standard supply, is used to monitor the operating costs.

As for the rest, there have been few changes to the nature of the machine itself. The external dimensions are practically identical, that is, an external width of 2.8 m with a fantastic working width of 2.5 m. Of course, a smaller version is also available with an external width of 2.55 m and a working width of 2.25 m, which is also approved for road use.

The hydraulically adjustable skids are a new feature, available on request, which has aroused no shortage of interest. Using these, the working depth can be adjusted directly from the driving position, thus proving to be a very practical system, especially for mulching works requiring minimal contact with the ground. Without these hydraulic guides, the working depth is adjusted using the traditional method, via the position of the support roller.

Source: Seppi M

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Choose the best farming solution for you and your land. Combine the highest possible yields with sustainability. This will start with the correct tillage. The choices you make depend on various factors and should match your specific circumstances, like soil structure, crop rotation, residue management, economic and ecological viabilities.

You must consider environmental and legal issues. From conventional methods to conservation tillage: the balance of operations at the right time has to be found to achieve high yields with the best soil condition (air, moisture, biological activity, etc.) with a minimum amount of energy, time and investment. For this, Kverneland offers a full range of intelligent farming solutions.

Conventional tillage

Intensive method of cultivation

• Complete soil inversion e.g. by a plough

• Less than 15-30% crop residues left on the soil surface

• Seedbed preparation done by an active tool or special seedbed harrow

• High phytosanitary effect by reduced pressure of weed and fungi diseases – fewer herbicides and fungicides needed

• Better dry-off and faster increase of soil temperature for better nutrients absorption

Conservation tillage

Mulch Tillage

Reduced-intensity in terms of depth and frequency

• More than 30% of residues are left on the soil surface

• Extended repose period of the soil

• Cultivator and/or discs incorporate the crop residues within the top 10cm of soil for stable bearing soil

• Full-width tillage – seedbed preparation and seeding in one pass

• Protection against soil erosion; reduce soil loss by run-off and improve water storage capacity.

• Improvement of soil moisture retention

Strip Tillage

• Zonal strip loosening before or during seeding of up to 1/3 of the row width (Loibl, 2006). Up to 70% of the soil surface remains untouched

• Strip-till combines the soil drying and warming benefits of conventional tillage with the soil-protecting advantages of no-till by disturbing only the area of the soil where the seeds are placed

• Exact fertilizing deposit

• Soil protection against erosion and drought

Vertical Tillage / No-Till

• Extensive method

• Working soil vertically avoids additional horizontal layers or density changes

• Increasing water infiltration, root development, and nutrient take-up

• Plants’ roots dictate the overall health of the plant, as they deliver nutrients and water throughout the season, contributing to a higher yield

• A strong set of roots make plants more resistant to wind and drought.

• Lower energy input required

Source: Kverneland

The post Kverneland Presents its Intelligent Farming Solutions appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Available for fall 2022, the VT-Flex 435 vertical tillage tool from Case IH offers simple, variable gang angle adjustments, allowing producers to meet the soil management needs of any field with greater flexibility and precision. With adjustments that can be performed on the go and a rugged, durable design built to withstand tough conditions, this vertical tillage tool is ideal for mixed farms and small to midsize grain operations. The VT-Flex 435 is available in widths 11 to 25 feet.

“This addition to the Case IH lineup is designed with the agronomic features needed to match a wide variety of soil management requirements. Whether a producer is looking to size residue and preserve soils — or mix even the most stubborn crop residue — effective field preparation is made simple with fast, easy gang angle adjustments,”

said Chris Lursen, Case IH tillage marketing manager.

Flexible and agronomic soil management

Agronomic flexibility is a core design feature of the VT-Flex 435 vertical tillage tool, which helps producers achieve optimal field conditions with simple, variable gang angle adjustments. Gang angles are mechanically or hydraulically adjustable from zero to 12 degrees to match the operator’s desired field finish — spring or fall. From the tractor cab, operators can adjust the front gangs independently from the rear gangs to further vary residue coverage and field finish. Additionally, 20-inch, shallow-concavity fluted blades help cut residue at shallow gang angles, cutting and mixing residue with soil for faster breakdown.

Lursen said:

“We’re hearing that producers are looking to vary their residue coverage between seasons or accommodate conservation tillage practices. The VT-Flex 435 vertical tillage tool allows just that. One-degree gang angles allow for efficient slicing of residue, while more aggressive angles up to 12 degrees allow for variable levels of residue mixing.”

The VT-Flex 435 vertical tillage tool is equipped with a TigerPaw Crumbler that is designed to produce uniform clod sizing and residue distribution for an optimal field finish. A standard walking tandem design on the mainframe and wings provides balance and stability, reducing soil compaction while providing optimal depth control.

On-the-go adjustments offer greater productivity

Making the most of time spent in the field is an important consideration for producers — which is why the VT-Flex 435 vertical tillage tool is designed to maximize in-field productivity. With optional hydraulic gang angle adjustments (available on 15- to 25-foot models), operators can seamlessly adjust tillage tool settings from the cab while continuing to cover acres at speeds of 6 to 9 mph.

With 1- to 4-inch depth capabilities, the VT-Flex 435 vertical tillage tool offers single-point hydraulic depth control for quick and easy adjustments in a variety of field conditions. A front T-hitch design allows for tight, efficient turning when space is at a premium. Transport widths of 13 feet 7 inches enable operators to get from field to field faster and with ease.

“We know producers need to make frequent adjustments to meet changing field conditions, and making those adjustments on the go is just one way this new Case IH tillage tool helps operators optimize their time,”

Lursen said.

A durable design built to withstand tough field conditions

The VT-Flex 435 vertical tillage tool is built tough to work hard season after season. The machine is equipped with 20-inch Earth Metal VT wave blades designed to stand up to tough conditions with maximum durability, while flat, crimped blade centers create exceptional blade strength.

Case IH has incorporated a number of durability features on the VT-Flex 435 vertical tillage tool that are common and proven on other Case IH vertical tillage tools. Rugged cast-iron nodular spools and large arbor bolts make for greater durability, and the TigerPaw Crumbler roller features a proven spring down pressure design with formed bars to add strength under any conditions. Additionally, a powder coat paint finish provides greater resistance to impact, scratching, fading, and in-field wear and tear.

“Producers can rest easy knowing that everything from the blades to the bolts has been designed to withstand the toughest conditions and deliver the best return on investment,”

Lursen said.

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Available for fall 2021, Case IH AFS Soil Command tillage prescription technology enables producers to vary their tillage settings based on changing soil types, field conditions, conservation practices, and topography. This allows operators to address a range of soil management challenges to make every inch of the field an optimal environment for plants and to minimize erosion and preserve moisture where needed.

This capability completes the full suite of AFS Soil Command offerings — including seedbed sensing, agronomic control, and mapping technologies — to optimize seedbed preparation for planting productivity.

“Whether a grower practices conventional or conservation tillage, AFS Soil Command tillage technology is a game-changer because it brings site-specific precision to soil management. With tillage prescriptions, we’re taking the same variable rate approach growers to use for seed and fertilizer rates. Zone-managed tillage allows growers to farm for all conditions — from residue management and compaction removal to improving soil conservation,”

said Chris Lursen, Case IH tillage marketing manager.

Site-specific precision delivers agronomic benefits

With AFS Soil Command tillage prescription technology, producers can match soil management to the unique needs of their fields. When using a True-Tandem 335VT vertical tillage tool in fields with highly erodible zones, AFS Soil Command enables the operator to run at deeper depths to manage heavy residue cover, and as shallow as 0 in. in areas that a farm manager needs to preserve. It can also help producers address compaction by giving operators the ability to run deeper to fracture the compaction layer with a tough primary tillage tool, such as the Ecolo-Tiger 875 disk ripper — and work soil-less aggressively in other areas for soil preservation.

Through Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) Connect, a farm manager, consultant or agronomist can create prescription maps that enable automatic machine adjustments to help achieve changing soil goals across a field. Each aspect of the tillage tool can be assigned different prescriptions, so the entire tillage tool, not just depth, is precisely coordinated and monitored. AFS Soil Command agronomic control technology optimizes settings for depth control, fore/aft leveling, stabilizer wheel position, and Crumbler downforce.

“With tillage prescriptions, farm managers can rest assured that soil management is being completed efficiently and correctly. Agronomic control technology helps instill peace of mind, knowing that the tillage tool is set for optimal performance, no matter the operator,”

Lursen said.

After an operator’s tillage run is complete, producers can gather and visualize as-tilled data for better agronomic insights into their operation with AFS Connect. Through the desktop or mobile platform, producers can visualize and review various layers of agronomic information — including the data recorded with AFS Soil Command — to help make data-driven decisions through the rest of the growing season and into the next.

Case IH agronomic research demonstrates enhanced productivity

AFS Soil Command tillage prescriptions contribute to more efficient soil management. With the ability to vary and increase speed as conditions allow, operators can cover more acres. Plus, tillage prescription technology can help minimize equipment wear and tear — and maximize fuel efficiency — as the machine is adjusted in conditions that require little to no-tillage treatment.

In Case IH research with the Ecolo-Tiger 875 disk ripper, prescriptions developed based on soil type and conditions contributed to more efficient fuel economy and usage, compared with constant-depth tillage. With increased field speeds, tillage prescriptions helped enhance productivity by up to 9.5%.

“This productivity gain can make a world of difference when operators are performing soil management in tight windows. Plus, these efficiencies can help producers get the most out of their equipment by lowering cost per acre,”

Lursen said.

In fields with compaction, tillage prescriptions can be developed to fracture hardpan at the appropriate depth to help boost yield potential. In research from the University of Illinois, corn yields increased by 33 bushels per acre, and 18 bushels per acre for soybeans — all by eliminating compaction. This is because uneven crop emergence and stand variability — often caused by compaction — can reduce crop yields by up to 50%.

The full suite of AFS Soil Command tillage technology is currently available for the Tiger-Mate 255 field cultivator, single-fold True-Tandem disk harrows and vertical tillage tools, and the Ecolo-Tiger 875 disk ripper. AFS Soil Command prescription technology can be used on Case IH AFS Pro 1200 and AFS Pro 700 displays.

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Väderstad, one of the world’s leading companies in tillage, seeding, and planting is now celebrating 30 years of the Seed Hawk line-up on the North American Market. Seed Hawk continues to be the go-to solution for farmers on the challenging Canadian prairie.

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The new ST-PRO II row units feature a simplified method of adjusting coulter alignment when correcting machine tracking issues. With just two bolts, the coulter spindle can be set to one of 3 positions: 1o left, 1o right or 0o (straight ahead). In this way, the counters are used to steer the machine and keep it running directly behind the tractor.

Units equipped with Montag dry fertilizer systems benefit from a new row unit frame design which routes the air exhaust and fertilizer dust down the back of the shank and is blown down into the soil for added nutrient retention and decreased equipment corrosion.

The ST-PRO II is equipped with a new chain mounting system that allows the end links to pivot and so evens up wear across the length of the chain, extending service life. With 50% fewer bolts holding the chains to the reel, chains are also faster than ever to replace.

Sometimes it is necessary to keep going, even in less than ideal conditions. Designed with this in mind, the Strik’R conditioner reel on the ST-PRO has a well-earned reputation for running plug free in wet soil. The ST-PRO II builds on this, and the gaps between the tabs on the reel endplates have been closed up reducing the tendency for mud to pack inside the endplates, further extending the weather window in which these machines can run and making machine clean up easier.

The ST-PRO II retains all the great features of its predecessor, such as wrenchless adjustments and zero daily maintenance. The Strik’R conditioning reel maintains a good berm and actively crushes clods whilst shedding soil, to create a uniform seedbed without plugging. The working depth range is 6” – 12”, adjustable in 1” increments and dry, liquid or anhydrous fertilizer can be placed in the strip with the ability to mix and match any two products.

The new Kuhn Krause Gladiator 1210 with ST-PRO II row units are available to order as of June 1, 2021, with intended use for spring 2022.

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Previously offered in 26ˈ, 30ˈ, and 33ˈ models, the Ultra-Disk is designed to slice through high-residue field conditions at higher operating speeds than conventional disks.

James Shurts, Great Plains Product Manager, said,

“The addition of the 22ˈ model will give producers more choices to appropriately match models to their operations’ needs and horsepower requirements – specifically giving those with large fixed-framed, high horse power (HHP) row-crop tractors access to the conventional, high-speed disk solution they desire.”

As an aggressive primary tillage tool, the Ultra-Disk offers features that leave a higher-quality finish than conventional double-offset or tandem disks. The product’s shorter frame is capable of handling heavy residue field conditions with 24″ blades and more clearance between gangs.

The Ultra-Disk is equipped with serrated, low-concavity SpeedBlades that cut and incorporate residue better than concave blades. Its parallel gangs enable soil to be worked from 2″ to 5″ deep for consistent, primary tillage, and allow the unit to perform at higher speeds than conventional disks.

The Ultra-Disk is also designed to be virtually maintenance-free with sealed bearings and a six-lip interlocking seal to keep grease in and dirt out. Producers can customize their finish with one of three finishing attachments: the MaxLift cast roller, seedbed crumbler, or the two-row coil tines with the seedbed crumbler.

With the addition of the 22ˈmodel, the Ultra-Disk will have a wider offering to fit producers’ needs and tractor horsepower requirements.

Source: Great Plains

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For many US crop farmers, the process of managing surface residues on variable soil types is one example of cost/benefit analysis for profitability. In most areas of the US, glaciation and prehistoric climactic pressures formed various taxonomic types of soils, which means it’s not uncommon to have multiple soil suborders, subgroups, or soil series in a single field. As a recent report by the USDA’s Economic Research Service explained,

“USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has identified soil health as a key focus for soil management. Conservation tillage, which protects the soil by reducing soil disturbance and keeping the soil covered, is considered to be a key component of a soil health management system.”

Utilizing conservation tillage as a method for managing soil productivity – and therefore profitability in crop farming – is tied closely to crop selections/rotations, residue types, and weed control challenges. Tillage practices that help to size, redistribute, and integrate surface residues into the soil profile with minimal soil disturbance help soils retain moisture and minimize erosive influences.

But tillage also breaks up surface matting, allowing for warmth to penetrate the soil and work with retained moisture in a way that fosters seed germination – a process that many contend is harder to promote in cooler, no-till-managed soils, which can, in turn, lead to lower yields. While studies have shown soil temperatures under no-till management eventually even out when compared to conventional (moldboard/offset) tillage, some tillage prior to planting gives plants a boost during germination and advanced growth stages.

A study from the Illinois Department of Agriculture alluded to the connection between tillage, soil management, and yield when it measured yields and residues produced by varying types of tillage over a three-year average (see chart below) as part of a statewide comparison project to better understand the relationship between tillage, soils, and yields.

The highest yields came from fields utilizing a mulching tillage style while the lowest came from no-till systems. As expected, no-till systems showed a greater residue cover, but also showed lower bu/A yields. Balancing the need of the soil for organic matter and a seed’s need for warmth and moisture control shows some disruption – with care paid to sizing and maintaining organic residues – as a yield-bearing middle road.

This study didn’t measure the use of tillage as a weed management tool. However, the authors advised that “an extra cost for additional or more expensive pesticides may be associated with some conservation tillage systems. For example, a burndown herbicide may be needed with no-till and ridge tillage systems.” Since fuel and pesticide/herbicide prices are typically tied (since both require fossil fuels like crude oil and natural gas to produce), tillage that disturbs weed seeding and germination may cost dollars immediately in fuel but may pay for itself in offsetting the cost of additional pest and weed control inputs.

The intersection between profitability and tillage isn’t linear and it’s definitely not standalone. Much depends on other variables: input costs, soil types, crop rotations, even the types of residues left from previous years’ crops. But in weighing the variables and assessing decisions based upon cost-benefit analysis, producers can turn tillage into a tool for building their crop production profitability.

Source: K-Line Ag

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