Which cultivator to choose for a good harvest

The future harvest is often determined already in early spring, simply by how well and professionally the soil was prepared in the pre-sowing period. Of course, the size of the harvested grain or other crops will be affected by weather conditions and other agricultural work in the field, but if the necessary cultivation of the soil is not carried out in the spring, and it is possible only with a high-quality cultivator, then later the situation can no longer be corrected. In other words, cultivating the field with a cultivator lays the foundation for obtaining the maximum yield of good quality. And without a good foundation, there is almost no chance of getting a rich harvest.

For orientation in the range of cultivators

Since cultivators are aggregates that are attached to a tractor, they are primarily divided by type of connection, that is, into trailed or mounted.

As a rule, in trailed models, in addition to working tools for cultivating the soil, there are also tanks for transporting liquid fertilizer and a pump for supplying it to nozzles . This additional option expands the functionality of this unit and saves farmers money. Since simultaneously with the cultivation of the soil, the purpose of which is to loosen all hardened pieces, grind the weeds in the soil and provide unhindered access to the soil moisture to the upper layer of the earth to feed the future root system of the grown plants, at the same time, fertilizers making the soil more nutritious.

According to their purpose and method of soil preparation, trailed cultivators are divided into:

• universal type or fallow, used for basic preparation, fallow land cultivation, fertilization;
• rowed type, used to fertilize row spacings, loosen and destroy weed residues of plants;
• specialized type that are designed for specific crops.

The cultivators themselves use a wide range of working elements suitable for certain tasks. So. for example, swept shares work the soil at medium depth, and chisel shares produce deeper cultivation. In conditions of dense soil, paws with reinforced tips are used.

In addition to the listed differences between trailed cultivators and mounted cultivators. they are also suitable for large fields, as they cover the cultivated area more widely.

As for mounted cultivators. then they are smaller, without their own wheels and are attached to the tractor-tractor with a hydraulic connection. But they also use a wide variety of types of working tools - paws, which allows them to perform many types of work.

Overview of individual cultivator models using the example of products with the brand John Deere

Why John Deere? Given the excellent practice and experience in tillage in a variety of conditions on all continents and parts of the world with machines manufactured by this company. If we take into account the proven high performance mechanisms from John Deere, their applied and potential functionality. Then taking just such a product as an example is fully justified and understandable to specialists.

In cultivators of this brand, as well as in others. The mechanisms produced under this brand use patented technologies and practically proven correct engineering solutions. In other words, John Deere products have enough positive qualities, but let's talk about other parameters to make your choice as error-free as possible.

At the same time, we remember that only cooperation with verified supplier, especially with direct business contacts with the manufacturing company (in Ukraine. One of these is Grozber Ukraine >) will provide an opportunity to purchase a cultivator in one of the versions available from the manufacturer. For John Deere models, these are:

•floating hitch cultivator;

•rigid linkage cultivator.

According to experts, the use of floating hitch units will allow high-quality soil cultivation, working at high speed, which can be important in the face of unexpected changes in weather conditions in spring and autumn.

Cultivator model John Deere 2210 floating hitch is a highly reliable and a productive machine capable of quickly and efficiently preparing large areas for the sowing campaign, while making fewer passes.

Another Jondir model 2230FH, which is also a floating hitch cultivator, has a working width range of 7.8m to 21.2m. , and its press wheels are hydraulically adjustable.

Companies do not always win due to the strong difference between each new model and the previous one. Sometimes it is enough just to slightly improve individual details or components and the product is again among the best. The first cultivator designed by John Deere was model numbered 1000. But after some time, when competitors began to catch up, by making some design changes a new Model 1010 was created, largely based on its predecessor. In particular, instead of 4 paws on the central frame and 3 on the wings, 4 full rows of paws, and for folding the wings for transportation, instead of one hydraulic cylinder, a cylinder was installed on each wing and at the same time wings are stacked horizontally on the frame and not transported upright, although with a coverage width limit of up to 9 m. In wider versions, transport in the “P” position is still used. Preservation of the basis of the model is due to the exceptional reliability of the unit - after 20-30 years of operation, they wear out only slightly.

Apparently because of this convincing fact, the third model of the cultivator from the described series. The John Deere 1050 is not much different from the John Deere 1010.

The only obvious innovation is that. that these models are produced only in wide-span - in 14, 16 and 18 m. According to this indicator, the latest model differs markedly from the first-born, John Deere 1000, which ranged in width from 6.6m to 13.5m, with the most popular implements ranging in width from 8m to 10.5m. Cultivators< of this model consist of 3 sections, while the central one has a width of 3.8 m, spring-loaded lancet >paws in 4 rows and three rows on the wings. The frame beam has a square section of 75 mm, the distance between adjacent paws is 152 mm, and between rows is 810 mm. Spring-loaded paw when it hits a solid obstacle, it jumps up to a height of up to 225 mm and always returns to its original position. Two paired wheels are installed on the central frame, and on the wings there is a single wheel for support. The wheels use 8-layer rubber. The tillage depth is controlled by a hydraulic system with cylinders on the central and peripheral frames. Such a cultivator weighs from 2 to 3 tons.

As an additional option behind the cultivator it is possible to mount a 3-row spring harrow or a 3-5 row tine harrow. Sometimes rollers are attached after the harrow.

Here are the results of a field test of a John Deere 1000 cultivator with a coverage of 11 m:

Degree of rockiness:

Based on the count, the total is slightly less than 10 ha per hour. This is an average, and the best indicators: for soil - on clay soil, for stonyness - on stony soil.

Thus, if you approach the issue of choosing the best cultivator consciously. then you will need a lot of information about all the nuances and features in the operation of a particular model of the unit.

For example, with regard to these aspects in the work of the already considered John Deere 1000 model, it is produced for pre-sowing treatment of already previously plowed soil, or after its disking. And the quality of his work on virgin or stubble-saturated soil is several times worse than the figures given in the table above. The unit proved to be especially bad on sandy soils, its wings tended to constant and excessive deepening. Although there was no non-normalized deviation of depth of processing between the front and back rows. In addition, the distance between the paws made it possible to work only on slightly weedy fields. With an increase in the degree of contamination. the cultivator clogged pretty quickly.

The soil leveling process was also generally successful. but not on heavy, dry and cloddy soils. There spring harrows are not heavy enough for their task. Also, the unit did not fully cope with the task of cutting weeds on hilly soils, while on flat areas its work was flawless. This problem could be solved with a wider share, but not wide shares prepare the field better.

Another important aspect. The transport dimensions of the Model 1000 cultivator may affect the machine's ability to move on various roads and driveways. Its width when folded is 5.7 m, the distance between the lancet paw and the road surface (that is, the clearance) is only 180 mm, and the height of the entire unit is 4.4 m. This means that a wide single-lane the cultivator will pass the roads and without overhead wires crossing them without problems, and the unit may be damaged along country roads, driveways the width of a car track, with potholes and other irregularities on the way, with tree branches hanging over them and other obstacles.

Due to the fact that after the operation of the cultivator in different field conditions, adjustment of the working depth could fail (see previous paragraphs), the operation of the hydraulic system must not be forgotten to correct. In reality, this means synchronization of all three cylinders.

When purchasing this mechanism, it is also important to consider what power of the tractor-tractor you will need, depending on the available field conditions and the planned depth of their processing. This data should be in the technical documentation.

If you are purchasing a non-new model John Deere 1000

Then, of course, the first attention should be paid not so much to its qualities. as on its quality loss. And also what “wear and tear should not scare away.

First impressions can be deceiving. If you see that the entire unit was repainted after the manufacturer. it means first of all that. that operating the cultivator in an aggressive soil environment and under the influence of various weather conditions does not allow the paint to remain in its original form. the only question is how and how long the unit was operated, whether the frame was repaired by welding, and in what conditions it was stored during the off-season.

Speaking of welding. If it is well made, then this will not affect the longevity of the cultivator.

It is very important the integrity of the rack, its fastenings, springs. But the spring attachment to the rack using the pin bushing is subject to unconditional replacement. so that the lancet paw does not deviate from the vertical position (deviations can vary within 5-7 cm, which will greatly spoil the quality of cultivation). It would be prudent to entrust this replacement to professional specialists. At the same time, it is worth noting. that even significant wear on the end of the tine that is in contact with the soil is not a serious disadvantage. At the same time, wear, even insignificant) lancet share should not take place, and therefore. it is better to change it, but only to the original one, so as not to regret what you did later.

In a hydraulic system, the focus is on hose wear and oil leakage. Considering at the same time that a worn hose braid does not mean it is worn out. Leaks and cylinder failures are extremely rare, but should be looked into.

With regard to harrows and rollers, wear on spring, toothed harrows and corresponding rollers is even less common than cylinder failures.

In order not to be disappointed in the capabilities of the branded cultivator from John Deere, one must not forget that this unit does not work instead of a plow or deep loosener, but cultivates the soil at a depth of 4 to 12 cm. When choosing a machine, be sure to consider the condition of your fields and the availability of a suitable tractor-tractor on your farm.

And one more very useful tip - the best price for non-new cultivators is in late spring-early summer and late autumn-early winter.

As a resume

This material provides an overview of the qualities and possible problem situations in the case of the acquisition and operation of equipment for cultivating the soil of the John Deere model. But the reader can easily draw parallels and, when making a decision on other brand models, proceed from a similar search for pros and cons in those models. In technology. Just like there are good things in people. and bad. It is important to notice both sides in time and comparing one with the other to make the best choice.

Perhaps. that in this difficult matter you will benefit from the help of Grozber Ukraine, which has many years of active experience of cooperation with many branded manufacturers in the world.