Better soil structure
Enhanced drainage, higher cropping yields, healthier soil condition and increased earth worm activity are some but not all of the benefits associated with Sub Soiling. This practice is by no means new and has been in practice by many farmers and contractors for years, but a new sub soiler just been released by Origin Agroup ltd called the CRAKER made by ALPEGO have re-invented this popular implement and have re-refined the sub soiler.
Most sub soiler's will leave the surface very uneven and will not go deep enough to penetrate the compacted pan layer to achieve any good. ALPEGO clam they have over come this problem with specially designed legs which enter the surface of the ground at an optimal angle to allow the machine to guide it down through the compacted pan layer with considerable energy saving up to a depth of 600mm braking up the soil with little mixing of the subsoil with the topsoil leveling the soil profile intact.
The machine is also available with a "Franter" double spiked roller which counter rotate against each other providing a tilling effect of the clods on the surface, this achieves several benefits, one is the soil is left more level and semi cultivated ready for the next pass before final planting, secondly it ensures moisture is held in to stop the soil drying out to quickly which can result in the forming of larger clods which are then normally difficult to brake down by secondary cultivations.
ALPEGO say that the profile of the soil is left in a way that in a dry season the moisture can move freely up the soil profile to the plant and yet in a wet season the opposite occurs and the excess moisture will freely drain away resulting in higher cropping yields in all seasons.
Three models are available from 2.50 to 3.90 meter working widths and with 500mm or 600mm legs suited for all tractor sizes from 80 hp up to 260 hp.
Renovate Drought stricken Pasture
A new grass harrow seeder from Austrian manufacture HATZENBICHLER is an ideal solution for farmers looking to renovate drought damaged pasture and its versatility and accuracy allows you to sow small seeds down to 800grams/hectare for forage crops.
Importer Origin Agroup Limited NZ’s only dealer owned farm machinery co-operative, has reported increased sales for these Harrow Seeder combination machines which have a working width of 6m and can be indent ordered up to 12m in working width.
The versatility of these machines is the main attraction says the importer, as you can perform a variety of tasks from aerating, weeding to sowing new grass into existing pasture or into cultivated ground along with forage crops.
The 6m working width ensures high productivity with a total machine weight of only 550kg (before seed). The three point linkage mounting makes it particularly suitable on smaller tractors and easy to use on hilly country.
The harrow is made up of three individual flexible bed sections which can float and flex to any changes in the ground contour ensuring even pressure on each tine. The harrows spring tines are made from 8mm thick x 450mm long special oil hardened spring steel which is three times the service life of a normal spring steel tine. The tines are able to penetrate even the hardest of ground ripping out dead thatch and opening up the soil surface allowing air into the root zone to stimulate and encourage growth, or alternatively the tines can be set for gentle surface cultivation when weeding in post emergence crops.
A precision broadcast air seeder is fitted which distributes the seed evenly across the full width of machine via specially designed distributor plates which achieve a even overlapping spread pattern via twin fan driven electric 12volt motors, A optional Hydraulic fan is available for heavier seeds or wider working widths.
Hopper capacity is 400 Lt and can bee easily refilled via by the loading access platform which is fitted standard and calibration is quick and simple with seeding application rates being maintained via a ground driven wheel.
A optional computer controller is available with fully self diagnostic operation allowing the operator to know the amount of seed being applied during operation, the amount of seed remaining in the seed box, and permitting up to 19 separate seed varieties to be stored in its memory for future reference eliminating the requirement of calibrating the machine each time saving much time and effort..
Standard features of all machines are, powder coated paint finish, central tine angle lever adjustment, three point linkage mounted, Loading access platform for easy filling of the seed box, hydraulic folding to 3m.
For more information contact any ORIGIN AGROUP member or phone (07)823 7582
New Manip Loader With Tool Box
MANIP have just released their new "A" series of tractor front end loaders comprising of many new design features to make loader operation quicker and simpler.
MANIP is recognised as one of Europe's leading manufactures's, and have made significant investment in a new factory with the latest computer assisted design software systems and production manufacturing process, say's ORIGIN AGROUP'S manager David Donnelly.
MANIP sales have increased both international and locally after we introduced their loaders to New Zealand farmers only one year ago and we are pleased by their quality and performance says David.
The New "A" series loaders now offers optional big bale forks which fit simply into the implement quick hitch of the loader and when they are not being used they are conveniently placed into a special storage tool box which allows them to be carried on the loader at all times, making them available at any time you may need them.
This Simple design feature allows the farmer or contractor to travel with a bucket connected to the loaders implement quick hitch and the big bale tines in the tool box with them. You can then simply disconnect the bucket and fit the bale tines into the reinforced Euro hitch and then start handling bales, hence saving the cost of purchasing a separate big bale fork and the inconvenience. Says David.
Existing MANIP loader owners of previous MANIP loader models will be pleased to know that they can also purchase these new Big Bale tines and tool box's, and only need to do a small simple modification to adapt them to their loader.
For more information contact any ORIGIN AGROUP member or phone (07)823 7582
Dal-Bo Disc Harrows - proven seeding and cultivation in one.
DAL-BO Maxidisc harrows are proving their worth in both primary and secondary cultivation applications thanks to their large 22 inch disc's, heavy frame construction and their exclusively designed Double "T" packer rear rollers says ORIGIN AGROUP importer for DAL-BO.
The profiled edge of the Double "T" packer roller rings slices clods and works the soil into an even seed bed in less number of passes and then levels the soil by its inverted "T" shape rings which consolidates the soil and locks in moisture ready for planting.
The most noticeable benefit is the machine can work in primary, pre cultivated or straight into stubble after a crop, and with the later we can reseed down any forage or grass crop in one pass by fitting a HATZENBICHLER precision broadcast air seeder. This saves fuel, Labour and wear on both machine and tractor eliminating the multiple pass's required before.
The Maxidisc can perform soil cultivation and seeding operations in a wide range of soil and crop conditions eliminate other soil cultivation and seeding gear in a farmers or Contractors fleet, hence reducing capital outlay, if you can have one machine that can do the work of several and in most cases better than before, then you are winning all the way say's the importer.
Undulating country is no problem for the Maxidisc due to the specially designed Hydraulic weight transfer floatation control system which is fitted on all folding machines from 4m up to 6m in working width, this allows the machine to float but also maintaining disc soil pressure over the full working width of the machine ensuring the discs stay in the ground and by reducing any stress on the frame at the same time.
Each disc has its own individual suspension via rubber blocks or by optional hydraulic rams which can be adjusted to suit the soil conditions, the first and second row of disc gangs are also closely mounted to each other and in combination with the unique semi mounted fully floating hitch provides excellent ground following abilities ensuring that the discs bite in and stay in the ground.
The discs cutting angle is adjustable via a hydraulic ram with the rear discs overlapping the front discs to ensure an even finish and to provide a low draft power requirement and good soil working. Transport wheels are raised hydraulically out of the ground when in work the rear "T" packer roller provides the depth control which is also controlled hydraulically.
The main frame of the discs is made in a "Tri beam" construction design from high quality fine grade 10mm thick European High tensile structural steel which provides strength and long life durability.
Maxidiscs are available in 3m mounted and 4m, 5m, 6m semi mounted trailing versions, all machines can be fitted with HATZENBICHLER air seeders to make the machines a one pass cultivation and seeding operation.
For more information contact your nearest ORIGIN AGROUP outlet. or phone (07) 823 7582
