Mechanical weeding reduces reliance on chemical inputs
Kverneland mechanical weeders provide a variety of solutions for growers considering all aspects of weed control, whilst reducing chemical input. Weeder models include the Helios – a star-wheel equipped rotary hoe suited to cereal crops; and the Onyx tined hoe, for inter-row applications.
At 6m wide with a hydraulic folding frame, the Helios rotary hoe uses pairs of cast iron star wheels whose downward pressure is adjustable. This affords delicate control to suit the surface conditions of the field in combination with a crop’s growth stage, to carry out shallow weeding through the top 10mm of soil. The shallow weeding restores the water and airflow, increasing mineralisation and promoting the absorption of nitrogen, which results in improved tilling of the crop for healthy plant development.
“The Helios can provide an effective mechanical solution for black grass control, with the star wheels capable of pulling out small weeds and leaving them on the surface to wither and die without impacting on crop growth,” explains Kverneland soil specialist Adam Burt.
In use, the star wheels carry out 60% of the weeding process, with its following harrow accounting for 40% of the cultural control process.
For arable row crops such as maize, sugar beet and vegetables, the Kverneland Onyx offers an inter-row solution to reduce reliance on herbicides. The Onyx can be combined with the Kverneland Lynx guidance interface for enhanced precision.
The guidance interface sits between the weeder frame and tractor’s three-point linkage and can be equipped with up to two, forward-facing colour scanning cameras to provide active side-shift.
With camera and control panel technology provided by Tillet and Hague, each inter-row weeding assembly can also be equipped with section control, with automatic raise and lower available through ISOBUS control.
Camera guidance ensures the hoe is positively steered to deliver high accuracy even at high forward speeds. Onyx offers 3-12m working widths, and can be equipped with a variety of weeding solutions including bolt-on Duck foot or flat A-shares.
Targeted fertiliser placement during maize drilling delivers a 25% reduction in starter fertiliser
The Kverneland PUDAMA principle delivers spot placement of fertiliser in maize, rather than continuous fertiliser placement. As a result, it has the capability to deliver a 25% saving on starter fertiliser, with no noticeable loss of yield.
A series of trials carried out in the UK by Kverneland during the 2023 season have supported those of around 30 Europe-wide trials, which proved that spot placement can maintain yield while delivering a worthwhile reduction of input costs.
“We used an 8-row trailed Optima TF profi equipped with PUDAMA, and compared the results at harvest to maize grown with conventional fertiliser placement,” explains Kverneland seeding specialist Graham Owen.
“Over a one-hectare plot, the dry matter yield produced 16,412kg of maize grown conventionally, against PUDAMA’s 16,376kg,” adds Mr Owen. “In real terms, that represents a significant cost saving with fertiliser, for a difference of just 36kg of dry matter.”
With a patented air-shot and brush mechanism that preserves fertiliser quality, PUDAMA is available on the Optima TF Profi maize drill model as well as the folding frame Optima F model, where its 6m folding frame can carry up to 12 SX seeding units for those wanting a 50cm row width; or eight units working at 75m row spacings.
On the move adjustment offers fuel savings of up to 20%
That’s because each centimetre of working depth moves around 140 tonnes of soil per hectare,and by operating only at the minimum depth needed to create a seedbed, fuel savings of up to 20% are possible.
Rotago F is a hydraulic folding design in 4m, 4.5m, 5m and 6m working widths. The range features a pushed, rather than pulled, gear case. Depth adjustment is achieved by raising and lowering the gear case in its frame, through a parallel linkage, with sensors monitoring and protecting against over-loading or mis-use.
When used in combination with the f-drill front hopper and CB toolbar, ISOBUS automation can make the operator’s task much easier.
Shallow plough suits a minimum tillage approach
The Ecomat shallow plough range is expanding, and alongside the eight and 10-furrow on-land versions, Kverneland has introduced a new model developed to work in-furrow.
Available with plastic or steel bodies, furrow widths can be from 10-18in thanks to hydraulic vari-width, and working depths can be from 6-18cm to suit Eco-stubble, Eco-tillage and Eco-ploughing processes. Because the bodies are smaller and shallow-working, there’s less pressure on the bodies and the Ecomat requires less power per furrow to pull than a traditional plough.
Available in six, seven and eight-furrow builds, the Ecomat comes with auto-reset leg protection using six springs, with the option of a HD spring pack for tougher ground conditions. As an option, the Ecomat can also be equipped with an integral Packomat press.
“The design is a blend of plough and cultivator, turning over the soil surface without working as deeply as a traditional plough. With shallow bodies pulled at high speed – up to 10km/hr – the Ecomat inverts the top few cm of soil to provide effective mechanical weed control. The faster you travel, the better the results tend to be,” explains Kverneland soil specialist Adam Burt.
Email Adam Burt, Kverneland soil specialist: info-uksales@kvernelandgroup.com
