It is called minimum tillage because we only cultivate as much as we need to. It’s not that we cut out all but the lightest of touches, nor is it that we turn over the soil year after year and run a power harrow through it.
A more appropriate name would perhaps be required tillage, as the core idea of minimum tillage is to assess each field individually and adjust your methods to what the ground and subsequent crop requires.
This creates a dilemma. Machinery comes at a significant cost and the prospect of having a yard full of different cultivators, some of which may not be used every year, is impossible to justify.
Therefore, developments within the cultivation market have focused on versatility, such as having a wider range of working depths; multiple toolbars that can be lifted out of work; and the option to fit different kit (such as seeders or granular spreaders) to broaden the jobs that can be done.
See also: Three new Prolander models introduced by Kuhn
Alpego
Now distributed in the UK through Opico, the Alpego cultivation range includes the FG BIO rotary cultivator, equipped with L-shaped blades to ensure a precise working depth. By working shallower, the forward speed can be increased for improved mixing of organic matter and fresh residues.
Available in two working widths, 2.5m and 3m, it is ideal for tractors with 90-180hp and comes as standard with two pairs of front wheels to keep a consistent working depth.
The Alpego Stone Burier is available in three models; the IG Inversa (heavy-duty), available in 2.5m and 3m working widths, IZ Inversa (extra heavy-duty) available in 3-4m working widths, and the Poker Inversa (extra heavy-duty, folding model), available in 4m or 5m working widths. Each model comes with either a packer or cage roller.
According to the company, stone buriers have seen increased demand, especially in Wales, where there has been a shift from ploughing to using a stone burier with optional seeder (available on IG and IZ models) to reseed grass in a single pass, or where land is unsuitable for ploughing – for example, due to shallow soils.
Amazone
Amazone’s Cobra shallow tine cultivator comes in 6m and 7m working widths with a tine spacing of 16.6cm and a maximum depth of 13cm.
The staggered tine arrangement is said to give excellent through passage and there is a choice of either crushboard or knife roller upfront; behind the tines is a levelling element and either packer rollers or the double straw harrow.
A GreenDrill 501 catch crop seeder box is also available and when fitted with the 220mm duckfoot points, the Cobra can perform shallow mechanical weeding ahead of the drill.
The Ceus disc and tine combination cultivator, available in 3-7m working widths, consists of a Catros+ compact disc harrow followed by deep working tines on a 40cm spacing, a levelling element and a choice of packer roller or double straw harrow. Again, it can be equipped with a GreenDrill.
The company says maize growers have been choosing the KG rotary cultivator which is ideal for working directly into stubbles due to its hooked ‘on-grip’ tines for mixing in top surface residues.
When used in 3m format with the TL 3001 soil loosener on the front, this gives a one-pass tool for deep loosening and straw mixing ahead of the drill.
Bomford Turner
Designed alongside the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bomford’s Dyna-Drive uses a dual-rotor system to break up stubble without the need for a plough, or to break up plough furrows without resorting to a power harrow.
According to the company, the lack of PTO drive reduces the power consumption while also enabling speeds of up to 12kph with tractors from just 50hp.
The first rotor lifts the topsoil, while the rear unit breaks down clods and incorporates organic matter. Both rotors are linked by a maintenance-free chain drive and are followed by either a crumbling roller or a packer.
It’s available in working widths of 1.6m, 2m, 2.6m, 3m, 4m and 5m, with Flex options of 4.5m and 6.5m. The smallest unit is specifically designed for vineyards.
A third-party seeding unit can also be added for one-pass establishment of cover crops or small-seed crops.
Bullock Tillage
The Titanum range of disc harrows from Bullock Tillage are said to be suited to fast shallow tillage.
All machines are fitted with two rows of 560mm-diameter discs running on maintenance-free SKF steel bearings for trouble-free performance.
At the rear is a pressed steel packer to ensure the soil is reconsolidated evenly across the working width of the machine. Road lights come as standard.
The 3m Titanum is available in two versions, standard or Hydropack. The Hydropack version comes with a 1.5t ‘up-and-over’ linkage for mounting seeder units or other types of applicators, allowing seeds to be placed in front of the packer for one-pass operation.
The ability to lower the seeder unit to the ground enables easy filling of the hopper before returning the unit to its ideal height for dispensing seed.
The Hydropack converts the Titanum disc harrow into a cost- effective and universal unit for seeding cover crops, Sustainable Farming Incentive and stewardship operations.
Cousins of Emneth
The Patriot from Cousins of Emneth is a one-pass cultivator, capable of fitting into both conventional and regenerative systems.
The five rigid loosening legs can be set to work between 6in and 16in, with depth control adjusted by a pin on the rear press.
Cousin’s own Quickfoot one-piece bolt points are fitted as standard. These are available in various wing widths, with the Quickfoot Lite most suited to a regenerative system, giving minimal surface disturbance.
The 20in-diameter disc blades are individually mounted on fully sealed hubs. The units are individually mounted on rubber suspension units.
These discs are hydraulically adjusted on the move, and can even be removed from work entirely, making the Patriot function as a low-disturbance loosener, ideal for non-inversion practices. With the discs lifted from work a tine depth of up to 14in can still be achieved.
Depth is controlled by the 650mm Razor Rings, which leaves a firm weather-proof finish, with other packer options also available.
New for 2024 is the further option to swap the disc section for 25mm coil tines.
Grange Machinery
Grange Machinery has extended the versatility of the Strip-Till Preparator with wider working widths and a range of options to tailor the operation to suit conditions and crop requirements.
Now available in a 6m version, alongside the 3m, 4m and 4.5m models, it’s said to offer a true one-pass cultivation system and can be used immediately before planting or at the convenience of the operator, with no need to ‘freshen up’ ahead of the planter.
Working only in the crop row itself, the machine creates narrow bands of tilth to preserve moisture around the crop and improve travelling conditions. The legs break up the compaction pan so that the rooting system can move between the rows.
Options include the application of granular or liquid fertiliser down the low-disturbance tine, offering valuable starter nutrition.
To adapt to specific crops and conditions, the Strip-Till Preparator can now be specified in 0.45m, 0.5m, 0.6m, 0.75m and 0.8m row spacing, with either shear bolt or hydraulic auto reset leg protection.
HE-VA
HE-VA offers a wide range of non-powered cultivators, starting with the Stealth, which is available in 3m to 6m working widths as a trailed or a mounted machine.
The 470mm scalloped discs open the soil ahead of 15mm low-disturbance legs which are laid out in two rows with a 350mm stagger to allow trash to pass through. It’s finished with a V-Profile roller and can be fitted with a Multi-Seeder and Accu-Disc system to establish crops in one pass.
Versatility is the key selling point of the Combi-Disc, with 510mm discs working down to 125mm to mix the topsoil, and subsoiler legs working down to 400mm to break up compaction and open drainage routes.
Both tools can be hydraulically adjusted on the move, and it is possible to fit Stealth legs and a seeder to the machine for lower disturbance and one-pass establishment.
The company further offers the Disc Roller Contour and Disc Roller XL Contour disc harrow range, with a host of options to suit requirements, as well as the Top Strigle straw harrow.
Horsch
The mounted Cruiser SL (4-6m working widths) and trailed Cruiser XL (5-12m) can be equipped with four cultivation points to suit stubble cultivation with straw distribution, seedbed preparation, mechanical weed control or for loosening and venting the soils in spring. Single and double packers are available.
The new 9m Cruiser XL completes the range with the FlexGrip tine, which is pre-stressed with a 180kg release force to maintain a precise working depth, even in most difficult conditions.
The Finer SL features a four-bar tine and two-row harrow design for shallow weed control right before sowing and dealing with emerged weeds mechanically all year round. It is available in 5-8m working widths.
The adjustable angle of the spring tines enables the Finer SL to achieve a shallow cut that is parallel to the ground. The tine spacing of 15cm combined with 22cm wing coulters, now available with a carbide coating, provide an all-over cutting.
Keeble Brothers
Essex based family firm, Keeble Brothers, has been developing cultivation equipment for over 40 years. In 2007, the company introduced the trailed Progressive Subsoiler.
This comprised two rows of leaf spring discs, a double row of cultivation tines, subsoiler legs and a choice of packer roller. All units can be specified with hydraulic adjustment, giving multiple work combinations and applications.
Now the company offers the mounted Compact Progressive. Comprising two rows of discs, new low-disturbance subsoiler tines a double 450mm Light Weight All-Weather Packer.
Depending on the prevailing soil conditions and depth required (18in max with heavy legs), a 3m six-leg machine can be operated with 280hp. As all wear parts are manufactured in house, many needs can be accommodated: including the use of tungsten.
With the expansion of the British wine industry, Keeble Brothers has added a range of miniature subsoilers, offered bespoke to suit certain needs.
Kockerling
The Kockerling Bio or Eco Allrounder is a mounted machine available in widths from 4-7m. They are designed to work without a packer roller, so the soil and plant residue is not reconsolidated and weeds and volunteers are left on the surface to dry.
The machines have four rows of tines at a spacing of 15cm, followed by up to three rows of hydraulic following harrows. When equipped with 220mm-wide goosefoot points, the machine will move all plant residue across its full working width.
The Allrounder Flatline is a trailed machine with hydraulic depth control, available in widths from 5m to 9m. It is designed for precise soil cultivation with contour- following wings to maintain an even working depth across undulating terrain.
To ensure incorporation of organic material the tines are mounted over six rows at 13cm spacing. When fitted with the 220mm goosefoot point, this ensures full surface cultivation at a shallow depth to loosen all plant residue.
The addition of front tools can increase the flexibility, including a levelling board, or a knife roller for high levels of organic matter. There is also the option of a factory-fitted Speed Drill.
Kuhn Farm Machinery
The new 12.5m Optimer 12500 L features 100 510mm discs arranged across two rows for working depths of 3-10cm, while a Double U 550mm-diameter rear roller provides flexibility to cope with a wide range of soil types.
The minimum power requirement is 350hp, and the new width complies with machines already working in CTF systems.
Three additional Prolander machines will offer users wider widths beyond the previous largest 7.5m 7500 model to provide shallow stubble cultivations before drilling.
The 9000, 12000 and 14000 – with widths of 9.2m, 12.2m and 14.2m, respectively – feature five rows of tines spaced at 15.5cm to break up the soil surface and allow crop residue to pass through easily. A choice of three tines and working depths between 3cm and 12cm can be tailored to suit requirements.
At the rear, the Prolander also has the Double U roller suitable for all soil types, while a front levelling board can help break down rough seedbeds and an internal levelling board can be set to leave the desired finish.
Kverneland
Recent additions to the Kverneland range include the Enduro Pro T trailed cultivators, offered in working widths of 4m, 4.5m and 5m. Three rows of tines are spaced at 750mm, with individual release force of 700kg on the auto-reset Triflex 700 tines. Power requirements are between 130hp and 350hp, with levelling tines and levelling discs available.
A key update to the cultivation range is the Isobus- controlled Turbo – dubbed the Turbo T i-Tiller. The working depth and height of the levelling equipment are easily adjusted through the in-cab terminal, while the front and rear depth control can be handled at any time and on the move depending on soil conditions.
The On-The-Go Dynamic Traction Control transfers weight from the front gauge wheels to the tractor coupling to give more grip and traction to the tractor. In hilly conditions, the system is constantly adjusted to maintain the selected pressure.
Lemken
Lemken highlights the Koralin 9 KUA flat cultivator, available in 6.6m and 8.4m working widths. This combines a disc and tine cultivator, working at depths between 20mm and 120mm.
Depth control is hydraulically operated, with intelligent control of the hydraulic cylinders and depth wheels to ensure the machine is parallel across the full width.
The Rubin 10 disc cultivator runs from 3m up to 10m, with working depths down to 140mm. It’s suitable for tractors between 87hp and 600hp, with the high weight of the unit said to ensure penetration even in the hardest conditions.
According to the company, the symmetrical arrangement of every row of serrated concave discs provides precise directional stability with no side draft, even when driving on slopes, and maximises fuel savings.
As an option for all compact disc harrows, including the Rubin 10, Lemken also offers the SeedHub 5 with capacities of 200/500 litres.
Said to work even in windy conditions, this features one-push calibration, electronic adjustment of the seed rate and two dosing shafts for consistent operation.
McConnel
The Shakaerator has undergone a redesign, with a new main frame available with either shearbolt protection or a patented gas-strut breakaway system.
The 3m machine is offered with either five or seven legs, spread out across two rows to limit lateral compaction.
The sabre-style legs now feature a new point and shin profile for improved performance, with additional wearing metal and narrow leading edge.
One of the key benefits of the machine is the optional vibration unit, said to improve draught and reduce the horsepower requirement by shattering the soil ahead of the machine for easier passage.
Building on the Shakaerator is the Discaerator 3000, which adds two rows of concave discs between the legs and the rear packer. Leg design and the recent updates have been brought across to the machine, with the added discs breaking up clods and incorporating trash. Finally, a 600mm full-width ridged packer finishes the pass, providing soil consolidation and a weatherproof finish.
Pöttinger
The Pöttinger Terria trailed stubble cultivators are available with three or four rows of tines and a working width of 4-6m. The flexibility of the range has been increased with the combination of the Amico F front hopper and distribution system.
The aim of the combined method is to loosen the soil and at the same time apply fertiliser, as it can be made best available to the crop by direct soil placement.
A total of three different fertiliser placement depths can be set to place it in the top layer of the soil, down to 35cm or a combination of both. The company has also equipped the trailed TerraDisc 8001 T and 10001 T disc harrows with the same distribution system.
Another addition to the Terria range is the optional Traction Control hydraulic pulling power booster. When the system is activated, weight is transferred from the stubble cultivator to the rear axle of the tractor.
Proforge
Supplied by Agri-Linc, the Proforge range includes the Inverta short disc harrow, available from 1.5m up to 6m.
According to the company, operating speeds up to 15kph are possible, with a choice of Cutaway or TopStir discs, both with a diameter of 560mm. Hydraulic depth control is an option, as is a row of hydraulic levelling paddles for trailed models.
The company has since introduced a Pro variant of the Inverta, with a double-row U-Channel packer, hydraulic depth adjustment as standard and harrow tines between the disc rows on the 3m model.
A front-mounted model has also been launched, with front depth wheels, which can be used in conjunction with 3m models of the Disrupta, or Stoka to create a primary cultivator.
The former offering auto reset legs working down to 150mm and 460mm diameter discs with large spacings between the toolbar for maximum trash flow.
Ryetec
The Restorer ALD is designed to break up compaction, comprising large diameter cutting discs and low disturbance tines.
As standard, the unit can be mounted on the front linkage to be combined with a rear-mounted seeder or cultivator, or on the rear linkage, with an additional linkage to facilitate further combinations.
The 3m, 4m and 5m machines are built on the same frame, with hydraulically folding wings providing the wider working widths.
If conditions become difficult, the 4m and 5m units can be folded down to 3m to ensure cultivations are done correctly in all scenarios. A 6m and an 8m model are also available.
To suit different crops, the leg spacing can be adjusted from 500mm to 750mm and both the discs and the legs are fitted with a steering system, allowing the machine to follow the contours of a headland, or work around obstacles without unnecessary stress on components.
Sumo
The Mixidisc/S from Sumo reportedly only disturbs the top 100mm of soil, maintaining the structure beneath. A double row of concave discs breaks up surface compaction and chops organic matter, while levelling paddles redistribute topsoil for a level finish.
These paddles can be hydraulically lifted out of work as required. Available in working widths from 3m to 7m, the Mixidisc/S can also be specified with bolt-on SDO coulters and a seeding unit for crop establishment.
The more intensive trailed Vaxio is offered in 4m and 6m models, with front-mounted, scalloped mixing discs to chop and incorporate organic matter, spring-loaded tines and points to break up compaction and levelling paddles.
Both the Mixidisc and Vaxio are completed with the Sumo-designed Multipacka roller, which creates drainage troughs for surface water and reduces smearing on the soil surface.
Sumo also offers the LDS subsoiler, said to be the first UK-built low-disturbance machine of its kind.
Optional seeders are available to build a one-pass system and the machine is sold in mounted or trailed formats, with working widths up to 6m.
Väderstad
Launched last year and available now, Väderstad has introduced iPad-based control system Väderstad E-Control for its TopDown cultivation range, as well as the possibility to apply prescription map tillage via Isobus Task Control.
The system can be used to adjust the individual working depths of each toolbar, and can store different machine configurations for specific field requirements.
With four pre-set buttons, operators can switch between various modes, streamlining their workflow and boosting productivity.
One of the standout features of Väderstad E-Services is its integration of prescription maps. By operating these maps, farmers can automatically calibrate machine settings based on real-time field conditions, such as soil type and topography.
]This level of adaptability can reportedly contribute to significant savings, reduced environmental impact, and improved soil health.
The TopDown is available in five models, offering working widths from 2.65m up to 6.75m. Power requirements start from 150hp and working speeds up to 12kph are possible.
Weaving Machinery
Weaving’s LD Top-Soiler has been designed specifically for minimum tillage systems, breaking up compaction in the top 228mm of the root zone.
It is available in 3m to 5m working widths, with carbide facing loosening legs that has shearbolt protection as standard. Following the legs is a full-width 700mm V packer roller.
As an option, it can be fitted with a Magnum seeding unit and double-disc coulter system to establish cover crops.
The company’s ShortDisc runs from 3m to 6m and can be used in a range of situations, from chitting weed seeds and volunteers, through to incorporating organic matter or creating a stale seedbed.
Two rows of 560mm concave discs are mounted on rubber shock absorbers, spaced at 125mm, followed by a 700mm V packer roller. Hydraulic depth control is standard and a Magnum seeder with splash plate arrangement is available.
Finally, the Energiser is suitable for seedbed preparation, straw redistribution and soil loosening, with a 6m working width and more models on the way.
The 167mm spacing between legs is like the company’s Sabre drill, allowing for high volumes of trash to flow through.