Tillage, seeding and planting specialist, Väderstad, has two machines that are perfect for the 2023 tillage season, and we review them here.
Launched in mid-2022, and available since October, is the company’s new disc cultivator, Carrier XT 425-625. With an easy machine setting as well as rotating disc axles, the Carrier XT is built to ‘optimise the tillage result depending on the working depth’ the company says.
This latest addition to Väderstad’s family of Carrier disc cultivators is used for high-speed primary tillage and seedbed preparation, and can handle all the versatile challenges of modern farming – from ultra-shallow tillage to a deeper incorporation.
The Carrier XT is available in three different working widths: 4.25m; 5.25m; and 6.25m. The machine can be delivered as trailed or mounted versions. All Carrier XT models can be equipped with a range of both single- and double-packer options. A main feature of Carrier XT is its hydraulically rotating disc axles, enabling it to optimise the cut-out performance at shallow depth, while increasing the depth precision at deeper working depths. By increasing the disc angle towards the soil, the disc will increase its penetration ability. By changing the tilting angle of the disc, the cut-out surface is shifted. Väderstad has put in much research and knowledge to fine-tune these angles to maximise the field performance, says director Tillage Product Management, at Väderstad, Wolfram Hastolz.
As a result, Carrier XT can optimise the disc angles to its working depth. For the farmer, this is seen in a full cut-out at shallower working depth, as well as reduced soil flow at deeper working depths. Both of these factors contribute to a lower diesel consumption. Carrier XT can either be fitted with the 450mm disc, 470mm TrueCut disc, or the ultra-shallow CrossCutter Disc. Each disc is built from high-quality Swedish V-55 steel at Väderstad’s genuine parts factory, Väderstad Components.
Next up is the new tine cultivator, Cultus HD, which is available in working widths of 4.25m or 5.25m. It can work down to 30cm depth and is equipped with three tine axles, resulting in a tine spacing of 27cm.
The heart of the machine is the new heavy-duty Cultus HD tines. With a release force up to 680kg, it will keep its depth in a full range of conditions, says Wolfram.
“A key performance indicator for a tine, is its ability to always keep a high force towards the soil. This is where the new Cultus HD tine is unique in the market. If meeting a heavy obstacle, the Cultus HD tine is able to fully release out of the soil to pass the obstacle. When re-entering the soil, it will however keep its full power to quickly return to working position. In this way Cultus HD is able to ensure an extremely accurate depth precision, resulting in excellent tillage results over the entire field,” he explains.
The depth is set from the cab, it is equipped with a hydraulic wing lock and the new unique levellers adjustment system, Dynamic Control, enhances the performance.
“Dynamic Control ensures the levellers are always working in optimal position. This takes away the need for manual adjustment, and the driver does not have to worry about the important levelling performance,” says Wolfram. The new mounted tine cultivator will go into full production in the autumn of 2023, according to Väderstad.