Impact of irrigation on the soil
OPINION: Soil organic matter was a hot topic for environmentalists, ecologists and primary producers in 2020.
It offers increased worm activity that ultimately results in higher yields.
Many sub-soilers tend to leave an uneven surface and are often unable to go deep enough to penetrate the compacted pan layer to achieve the required results.
Alpego claims its Super Craker overcomes this problem with specially designed legs that enter the ground surface at an optimal angle, allowing the machine to penetrate through the compacted pan layer to depths of up to 600mm, while breaking the pan with minimal mixing of the subsoil into the upper soil profile.
Alpego says the profile of the soil is left in such a way that in a dry season the moisture stored deep down can move freely up the soil profile to the plant, and yet in a wet season the opposite occurs with the excess moisture freely draining away, resulting in higher cropping yields in all seasons.
The machine should prove to be popular among contractors and maize growers looking to improve their crops suffering from soil compaction.
Manufactured from Swedish high tensile rated steel in the construction, and cast-iron clamps to fix the legs to the frame, three models are offered from 3 - 5m working width, suitable for tractors from 100 - 500hp, while a choice of shear-bolt or hydraulic auto-reset systems offer protection from foreign objects.
The 500mm or 600mm legs allow the user to target different compaction depths, while a Franter double-spiked rear roller crushes any clods left on the surface, leaving a level and semi-cultivated finish ready for the next pass before final planting, while also helping to conserve moisture.
The implements have either shear bolt or hydraulic auto rest protection to suit all conditions and tractor sizes from 100hp up to 500hp.
