fbpx
Print this page
Thursday, 01 November 2018 11:24

Sub-soiling has many benefits

Written by  Mark Daniel
Alpego's Super Craker. Alpego's Super Craker.

The practice of sub-soiling, by no means new, has been acknowledged by farmers and contractors as helping improve drainage and creating healthier soil conditions.

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. 

www.originagroup.co.nz

More like this

Alpego eyes electric power harrow

Distributed by OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the Italian Eima Event, taking away an innovation award.

Save soil - take a pledge this 'world soils day'

OPINION: Soil is one of the most valuable assets that a farmer has. It is our collective responsibility to make use of soils without damaging either the soil or any other part of our environment, protecting them for our own use and use by future generations.

Answers are in the soil

Wairarapa sheep farmer Rob Dick is on a mission to reduce his property’s environmental footprint as quickly as possible – and his approach starts with the soil.

Featured

Case IH partners with Meet the Need

Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.

25 years on - where are they now?

To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.

Rockit Global appoints COO

Rockit Global has appointed Ivan Angland as its new chief operating officer as it continues its growth strategy into 2025.

National

Top ag scientist to advise PM

A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.

Machinery & Products

Hose runner saves time and effort

Rakaia-based equipment manufacturer Pluck’s Engineering will soon start production of a new machine designed to simplify the deployment and retrieval…