Ultra-shallow soil tillage ahead of direct seeding where a large amount of organic matter is present
Top results from a non-aggressive pass
The subject of soil tillage is becoming more and more significant when it comes to the purchasing decision-making on farms. The bigger the problems of lack of moisture, pests such as slugs, chemical resistance, and the requirements for reducing the amount of plant protection agents used, the more important the right means of soil tillage becomes. AMAZONE developed the TopCut cutting roller combination for ultra-shallow soil tillage.
With the TopCut, the first stubble cultivation can be carried out ultra-shallow, thus saving a great deal of water and creating a perfect seedbed for volunteer grain and weed seeds. Once the unwanted plants have germinated, they are easily removed in a second pass. Furthermore, the intensive cutting and shredding of organic matter in the field stimulates the decomposition process. This improves field hygiene and reduces the transmission of fungal diseases and pests.
The TopCut cutting roller combination can be used universally throughout the year for various applications – for catch crop establishment, for shredding harvest residues, for mechanical weed control, and for preparation ahead of direct drills with tine coulters such as the Primera DMC.
The Cut 'n' Sow technique with the TopCut can also be used for direct drilling with the Cayena tine coulter trailed seed drill, the Cirrus trailed seed drill combination with Minimum TillDisc and the Condor tine seeder.
Areas of application for the TopCut:
- Perfect stubble shredding in oil seed rape, sunflowers, maize stubbles and in catch crops
- Improved straw management through uniform straw distribution
- Promotion of straw decomposition as a result of mixing with fine soil on the surface
- Mechanical weed control before sowing
- Seedbed preparation with a high proportion of fine soil and optimum reconsolidation for reliable emergence
The benefits of ultra-shallow seedbed preparation when direct seeding with a large amount of organic matter present:
- Cost-effective, water-saving system for optimising direct drilling under difficult conditions
- Reduction in the risk of blockages in tine coulter seed drills
- Effective slug control
- High output with low fuel consumption
