AMAZONE introduces the FW 580 flex ring roller, a new packer roller for the Cenio and Cenius mounted cultivators and Catros mounted compact disc harrows. Thanks to its open design with a ring spacing of 200 mm and its narrow roller core, the roller, with a total diameter of 580 mm, is suitable for a broad range of applications. Its performance is impressive on both sandy and loamy soils.

Thanks to the continuous spring action of the rings, the FW 580 produces a lot of fine soil whilst ensuring deep reconsolidation and a loose soil surface. These properties make it perfect for targeted seedbed preparation. In addition, the closed rings reduce the carry-over of soil and weed seeds. This helps to improve field hygiene, especially when working in different fields.

The excellent cleaning effect created by the spring action of the rings is also very advantageous. This ensures reliable operation, even in damp and sticky soil conditions. Thanks to the small roller tube diameter of 140 mm, the roller offers excellent through-passage on light sandy soils. The arrangement of the rings ensures a reliable self-driving effect. 

An optional sprung cleaning system offers additional functionality and effectively prevents the roller from sticking, even in the most demanding soil conditions. A harrow system ensures finer crumbling of the seedbed and supports precise placement of the seed. Both systems also contribute to additional levelling on very light soils.

Thanks to its low own weight, the flex ring roller can be easily lifted by smaller tractors both at the headland and when travelling on the road. 

The advantages at a glance:

• Good turning properties, thanks to a diameter of 580 mm 
• High load-bearing capacity, thanks to robust flex rings
• Suitable for varying soil types – from sandy to loamy
• Deep reconsolidation yet with a loose soil surface
• Very good cleaning and crumbling effect, thanks to the spring action of the rings
• Additional crumbling and levelling with optional sprung cleaning system and harrow system
• Low weight for easy lifting at the headland
• Cost-effective and reliable

AMAZONE introduces the Catros⁺ 6003-2TS Special compact disc harrow

With the new Catros⁺ 6003-2TS Special, AMAZONE adds a weight-optimised and cost-effective variant to its range of trailed compact disc harrows in a 6 metre working width.

The Catros⁺ 6003-2TS Special offers all the same advantages of the existing models in the Catros family. It is ideal for shallow soil tillage from a working depth of 5 cm and can also be used at depths of up to 14 cm to reliably incorporate larger quantities of organic matter. Operating speeds of up to 18 km/h maximise efficiency. Optimal working results and maximum durability are ensured under all conditions.

By dispensing with the added equipment such as front tools, catch crop seeder boxes or the double disc roller, a simple yet robust frame concept is made possible. Thanks to this new weight optimisation, the Catros⁺ 6003-2TS Special achieves an axle load of less than 3.5 tonnes in every possible configuration.

The machine is offered in a fixed basic configuration with a Category 3 lower linkage, fully hydraulic working depth adjustment and 510 mm coarse serrated discs. The roller can be individually selected from a specially compiled range of rollers. Thanks to the large selection, there is a suitable solution for every type of soil.

The usual proven advantages of the Catros family can also be found in this model. The Catros Special features the comfortable Smart Frame System. This frame concept allows the working depth to be adjusted hydraulically whilst on the move. This is done by simply rotating the disc carrier arms. When the working depth is increased, the discs are turned away from the main frame, which increases the distance between the rows of discs, the frame and the packer roller. While doing so, the main frame always remains parallel to the ground. A one-off alignment of the frame at the start is sufficient.

Furthermore, the swivelling bogey chassis can be used in two different positions whilst working. In Position 1, the bogey chassis is lifted right over the disc element. The resulting additional weight can be used to improve the penetration of the discs into the ground in especially heavy and hard conditions. In Position 2, the bogey chassis is positioned behind the machine at a height of approx. 50 cm above the ground. This ensures that the machine is optimally balanced and, together with the hydraulic shock absorption system, enables exceptionally smooth running under even the toughest conditions.

The Catros⁺ 6003-2TS Special also features maintenance-free disc bearings. With no need for lubrication, this results in a significantly reduced overall maintenance time. The individual disc suspension via elastic rubber sprung elements ensures optimal ground contour adaptation whilst enabling excellent through-passage of large quantities of organic matter.

Innovation through tradition: AMAZONEN-WERKE honoured again

In 2025, the AMAZONE Group has been recognised as Germany's most innovative medium-sized company in the agriculture and agricultural machinery sector for the second time in a row. This was the result of a recent study commissioned by the news magazine stern. AMAZONE once again achieved the highest score in the ranking and took first place. In a cross-industry comparison, the agricultural machinery manufacturer took an outstanding third place in the overall ranking of the TOP 500 companies in all sectors, and can therefore count itself amongst the absolute elite of the most innovative medium-sized companies in Germany.

With a clear focus on research and development, AMAZONE pursues the goal of supporting agricultural businesses in a future-oriented and sustainable direction. AMAZONE is constantly working on further developing of its products and is strategically looking for innovative solutions to the current challenges in agriculture. In addition to its technical progress, the company increasingly relies on digital and AI-supported technology that enables precise adaptation to the climate, soil and plant conditions. One central concern here is to conserve valuable resources and reduce the level of inputs, whilst maintaining a consistently high yield. In order to live up to this ambition, a great deal of expertise and commitment goes into the realisation of new ideas.

The large number of innovations illustrate AMAZONE's high aspiration to make an important contribution to the further development of agriculture, and thus to securing the world's food supply with future-oriented solutions. "Innovation has characterised the progress of our family business throughout its history. The excellent result in this evaluation encourages us in our endeavours to strategically increase our innovative strength in the future and to further expand our position as a pioneer in the industry. Our special thanks go to our employees, whose creative commitment constantly provides new impetus and turns ideas into reality. We would also like to thank our customers and partners for their trust and cooperation and valuable suggestions from the field," say Christian Dreyer and Dr Justus Dreyer, CEOs and owners of the AMAZONE Group, who are delighted with the award.

AMAZONE was previously named Germany's most innovative medium-sized company by WirtschaftsWoche magazine last year.

About the stern study:

The data collection and analysis were carried out by experts from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Verbraucherstudien (the German Association for Consumer Studies or DtGV) on behalf of stern in the period from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024.

Further information: https://www.stern.de/stern-studien/landwirtschaft-und-landtechnik--deutschlands-innovativste-mittelstaendler-2025-35562754.html

Efficient implementation of ultra-shallow soil tillage

The challenge

The topic of soil tillage is becoming more and more significant in agriculture on many farms. The bigger the problems of lack of moisture, chemical resistance and the requirement for reducing the amount of plant protection agents used, the more important the right means of soil tillage becomes. A particular emphasis is being placed on the initial stubble cultivation. This is precisely where the biggest challenge lies. On the one hand, we need to produce the optimum seedbed for maximising the germination of volunteer cereals, weed seeds and wild grasses. This means that this undesirable regrowth can be allowed to accumulate directly after stubble chitting and then be combated mechanically by a second cultivation pass. Ultra-shallow top working giving optimum germination conditions is of extreme importance, particularly with regard to old rape regrowth, and in the problem areas of black grass and loose silky bent. The seeds must not be incorporated too deeply in the soil to prevent them from becoming dormant.

On the other hand, the decomposition of organic residues plays a decisive role when it comes to good field hygiene. Optimised breakdown of residues reduces the transfer of fungal disease and pests. In addition, the availability of nutrients generated from the plant residues is improved. It is therefore important to make sure that any shredding or preparation of surface organic matter is undertaken during that initial pass.

Bearing in mind the increasing dryness of the summers, it is also important that evaporation be reduced and that soil moisture be preserved during cultivation. For this reason, with the initial pass, it is important to work only as deep as is necessary.

The solution: TopCut cutting roller combination with different tool options for different crops

To meet these increasing demands for ultra-shallow soil tillage, AMAZONE has developed the TopCut 12000-2T cutting roller combination in a working width of 12 m.  It consists of up to 3 consecutive tool segments plus a rear segment that can be equipped with various different tools to suit the customer’s needs and requirements:

• First row of optional leading tools: knife roller
• Second and third row main tools: Combination of knife roller and/or Minimum TillDisc
• Fourth row rear segment: Three-row straw harrow, or the option of packer rollers without the leading tool

For the intensive shredding of long plant residues, such as rapeseed stalks, sunflower stalks or catch crops, the use of a double-knife roller as the main tool is ideal. The knife rollers intensively shred and bruise the plant residues, significantly accelerating the decomposition process. In addition, despite the shallow cultivation of 0-2 cm, the knife rollers produce enough fine soil for optimum seedbed generation and so encourage weed seeds and volunteer cereals to germinate. The double-knife roller can also be used for seedbed preparation and generating a stale seedbed. The high circumferential speed produces a very good crumbling effect.

For an even more intensive action, a combination of knife roller and Minimum TillDisc wavey discs can be used as the main tool. This arrangement offers the advantage that the knife roller cuts crosswise and the Minimum TillDisc cuts lengthwise to the direction of travel. This enables cross-cutting, resulting in an intensive shredding action, especially useful in lodged cereals and maize stubble.

A third option is to equip the main tool segment with a double Minimum TillDisc. This combination makes it possible to cut into the ground to a depth of up to 3 cm without moving any soil. Especially in the spring, this has the advantage of opening up the soil, thus promoting improved aeration and quicker soil warming. This is particularly interesting for direct seeding of spring crops such as cereals or beet. The Minimum TillDisc disc element intensively cuts any lodged cereal residues without moving the soil to any great extent.

As an option, the knife roller can be selected as an additional leading tool. This intensifies the shredding of plant residues.

Harrowing or reconsolidation

As an option, and to further improve straw distribution after the combine, the heavy three-row harrow can be used behind the main tools. In addition to distributing the straw, on the one hand, it shakes the seeds out of the straw, seed pods or ears, plus, on the other hand, the harrow produces additional fine soil. This again favours the emergence of weeds. The aggressiveness of the harrow can be altered hydraulically from the cab whilst on the move. As an option, the straw harrow is available as a HD version with carbide tips, thus extending the service life many times over.

As an alternative, packer rollers are available to reduce the drying out of the soil by optimising the reconsolidation. The DW disc roller, with its diameter of 600 mm, is characterised both by its good reconsolidation action and its particularly good cutting effect. Plant residues, such as maize stubble or catch crops, are split more thoroughly and cut up by the sharp rings on the roller. This also promotes faster decomposition. The wedge ring roller, with a KWM 600 matrix tyre profile, produces a particularly good crumbling effect for use in a classic seedbed preparation situation. It is also ideal for creating a stale seedbed. This causes problem weeds, such as black grass and loose silky bent, to germinate before the actual sowing date meaning that they can be controlled mechanically with the TopCut in a second pass.

Conclusion:

The TopCut 12000-2T cutting roller combination is the right choice for every farm, thanks to the large range of tool combinations and following elements. This means that the TopCut can be integrated effectively in classic mulch sowing, sowing after the plough or direct seeding. Thanks to its wide working width of 12.1 m and high working speeds of up to 20 km/h, enormous daily work rates are possible, and this is particularly favourable economically, having a very low fuel consumption of approx. 2.5 l/ha. In addition to the high areas covered, the TopCut also impresses with its resistance to wear and tear. Thanks to the reversible knives on the knife roller, not only can the service life be doubled, but the wear costs can also be minimised.

The advantages at a glance:

• Perfect shredding in rape, sunflowers, maize stubbles and in catch crops
• Optimum shredding for an accelerated decomposition process
• Ultra-shallow soil tillage with high proportion of fine soil for perfect germination conditions, even on cereal stubble
• Improved straw distribution and fine soil generation with the harrow
• Optimum reconsolidation with the packer roller for guaranteed emergence
• Markedly reduced soil moisture loss in comparison to other systems
• Very high work rates with low fuel consumption
• Reduced wear costs due to the reversible blades => double the service life

Plus you can also get an impression of how the TopCut functions in work from our video. You are welcome to share this video in your media outlets.

The double-bladed knife roller enables intensive shredding of catch crops. 

The intensive shredding of sunflower stubbles by the TopCut makes for reliable direct seeding when sowing with tines.

AMAZONE has extended its range of high-performance Cirrus Grand large area seed drills with an 8 m version, the new Cirrus 8004-2C Grand. The trailed cultivator drill is ideal for large farms and contractors working with tractors from 280 hp. The Cirrus Grand meets the requirements of a wide range of establishment systems thanks to the precision and flexibility provided by the simultaneous metering of different products via the new three-chamber hopper.

New: Three-chamber hopper makes for pioneering establishment methods

A key feature is the new three-chamber hopper with a total capacity of 5,900 litres. Combining three chambers in the one hopper offers a high level of flexibility and easy accessibility for the operator. Up to three different products can be individually metered at a ratio of 40:50:10. For example, rape, fertiliser and slug pellets can be applied in a single pass using the Single-Shoot process. In addition, wheat can be sown together with the simultaneous application of fertiliser and micro-granules. All products are delivered precisely to the same point in the seed furrow, which ensures efficient application.

Solutions for modern arable farming – the new 12.5 cm row spacing

The large distributor head and the choice of the Smart plus equipment level ensures optimum lateral distribution. The individual row shut-off ensures high sustainability by reducing any waste of seed and fertiliser on headlands and in wedge shaped fields. Tramline control is provided symmetrically, asymmetrically or flexibly and is selected in a user-friendly manner via the ISOBUS terminal. The distributor head adjusts automatically. This intelligent system means that the working width of the seed drill is independent of the respective tramline system. Deactivating individual rows offers a particular advantage. For example, rape can be sown with double row spacing. The Cirrus 8004-2C Grand also benefits from an additional row spacing option. On top of the conventional row spacing of 16.6 cm, a narrower spacing of 12.5 cm can also be specified. This is ideal for spring sowing and farms with high weed pressure. The narrow row spacing allows the crop to cover the soil over more quickly, which reduces weed emergence. This leads to a cleaner crop and, in the best-case scenario, decreases the use of herbicides.

AutoPoint: Switch time optimisation for good field hygiene

The AutoPoint automatic measuring system, an intelligent solution for determining conveying times, has now been incorporated in the Cirrus 04 Grand. A sensor in the seed coulter determines the conveying time of the seed flowing from the metering unit to the coulter and automatically adjusts the switch-on and switch-off points of the system on the headland. This technology constantly improves the Section Control times and increases sowing precision. This results in the minimisation of misses and overlaps, thereby promoting better field hygiene.

Crushboard and guide wheels extend the range of front tools

In addition to the T-Pack front tyre packer, new front tools are also available for the Cirrus 04 Grand. A Crushboard with outlying guide wheels has been specially designed for farms with heavy or cloddy soil conditions. The Crushboard levels the surface, breaking up clods and ensuring a level seedbed, especially for use after the plough or following rough primary cultivation work. The guide wheels on the outside of the machine ensure smooth guidance and prevent the wings from sinking into the ground. The Cirrus Grand is also available with guide wheels in front of the disc element for farms that carry out complete seedbed preparation before sowing. This means that there is no need to use a front tool.

Optional on-board hydraulic system and air pre-heater

Another plus point is the optionally available on-board hydraulic system with a push-on PTO pump. This enables the drill to be operated with tractors with a low hydraulic capacity. The optional air pre-heater ensures trouble-free operation when working in damp air conditions. It increases the temperature of the air flow by around 8 °C reducing the formation of condensation and thus preventing seed dressing or fertiliser dust from sticking in the conveyor system.

Updates also available for the 9 m version

These new updates are now also available as options for the Cirrus 9004-2C Grand with its 9 m working width. The new levels of equipment significantly increase both efficiency and output.