Thursday, 29 January 2026 12:55

Erth Engineering launches PanBuster for effective grassland compaction relief

Written by Mark Daniel

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David McCubrey, Erth Engineering with the PanBuster.

In Grassland, compaction starts at the surface and builds progressively deeper, causing poorer water transfer, more anaerobic activity and shallower rooting, leading to less grass, less palatability, pugging and reduced access to livestock and machinery.

The Irish-built Erth Engineering PanBuster is a mounted machine available in 2.4, 2.7 or 3.0 metre working widths, equipped with 3, 4 or 5 legs accordingly. Compact/Eco models are available with 600 or 900mm leg spacing, while the shear-bolt versions, available in 2.4 or 3.0 metre frame widths can be set at 600, 800, 900 or 1200mm settings. Legs are manufactured from Hardox steel for high wear resistance, fitted with hook and pin mounting, reversible shins and low disturbance, single pin fitting points for grassland situations.

In shear bolt set-up, those legs can operate down to around 500mm, while the more popular hydraulic auto-reset version allows working depths of 350-400mm. The auto-reset system is designed to protect the machine, and indeed the tractor, from unseen objects in the profile, and as well as lifting if an object is encountered. It can also deflect sideways by up to 150mm to pass around that same object.

The design of the system uses high- specification NIKROM rams which have a small internal volume and large ports to allow quick reaction to objects, and marine-grade plating on the ram spears to resist pitting.

Depth control is via a full-width smooth roller assembly at the rear of the machine which incorporates a hydraulic-nitrogen accumulator to allow smooth movement over undulating terrain.

Additionally, the roller can be controlled by the driver to achieve clean “ins” and “outs” to maintain a good finish in the paddock. Up front, a disc assembly provides a clean entry for the discs in hard or trashy conditions, and uses a unique geometry to maintain constant, but adjustable disc pressure from 150 to 250kg per disc.

John ‘JP’ Chapman of Hamilton-based New Zealand distributor Ag and Civil Limited, comments: “Using a PanBuster when ground conditions are suitable can have a marked effect on annual production of dry matter. The action stops roots from becoming waterlogged in a wet spring, but equally free to move through the ‘eased’ profile in a dry summer”.

www.agandcivilmachinery.co.nz

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