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Kverneland presents new rotary hoe range

Kverneland will present its newest range of rotary hoe, Helios, at this year’s National Ploughing Championships (the Ploughing).

The range is offered in working width from 3m rigid to 6.4m folding models and, according to the company, is a perfect fit for the future of sustainable farming and to achieve efficient, accurate and consistent cultivation and weed control.
“Mechanical weeding with the rotary hoe, Helios, in row crops and on cereals is an efficient tool for weed control and it also works in case of resistance as with Sulfonyloureas and Pioxadem for example,” commented Maxime Georges, junior product manager. “It also extends the option to react when conditions limit the application of chemical crop care. In addition, by cracking the upper topsoil, breaking the surface capping on certain soils after rain, this rotary hoe promotes the seed emergence and restores the water and air flow, stimulating physico-chemical reactions and soil life. It will increase mineralisation and biomass by promoting the absorption of nitrogen.”
The Helios is fitted with cast-iron, ground-driven star wheels with a special back-of-spoon design which allows for good performance even with low working speeds in difficult conditions without any blockages. Curved upwards, they work by gravity without digging. Weeds are lifted with no splashes or projections thus reducing the impact on the crop.  Various actions are carried out all in one pass:

  • Destroying or pulling up the weed;
  • Breaking up the capped soil surface;
  • Restructuring and aerating the top horizon; and
  • Consolidating the subsoil while maintaining the water supply of the seedbed. 

Precise and easy adjustment

Selective mechanical weeding asks for precision in adjustment to the soil conditions, the weed pressure and the machinery of the farm. With the Helios, all these adjustments can be easily and quickly done without the need for tools. Equipped either with spring or hydraulic ‘soft control’ pressure overload protection, the Helios ensures a constant working depth over the entire working width, independent of the surface. Adjusted to the height of crop emergence and sowing depth, the negative impact on the crops is reduced. A precise speed management can be set up to work as aggressively as necessary, maximising performance and output. 

A perfect finish

To ensure perfect levelling and to create an even weatherproof surface, Kverneland offers a one row following finger harrow in the final working zone. The rear-harrow operates over the entire working width of the Helios. The following harrow finishes the job and preserves the seedbed. It restores the fluids, water, air and stimulates physico-chemical reactions and soil life. The following harrow supports the weed control as it uncovers and pulls the uprooted weeds out of the soil, leaving them on the surface to dry out in the sun. Regrowth is practically impossible which is particularly important with rhizome and other weeds that could start growing again.

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