Just as the humble set of arable rolls can be turned into a cultivator by adding some clod-busting paddle tines, so there are smooth grassland ballast rollers that can be transformed into one-pass pasture-grooming implements.

In fact, it’s the latest example of a trend towards turning single-purpose tools into multi-purposes pieces of kit that can do more to earn their keep.

The idea behind the Greenline version of the Dal-Bo Maxiroll from Kongskilde and the similar He-Va Grass Roller from Opico is to create an implement that can roll pastures to eliminate mole hills, firm the surface and press in stones.

But the same machine can also groom swards by raking out dead material and small weeds, distribute manure evenly while aerating the surface and even – if required – over-seed tired grazing or establish new pasture.

Both machines are based on the manufacturer’s standard 710mm (28in) water ballast folding rolls, which feature hydraulic weight transfer from centre to wing sections to get even pressure across the 6-8m (21-27ft) working width.

However, the frames are prepared to take one or more options that extend the capabilities of the implements.

Both can take a finger tine harrow comprising two rows of long 12mm (½in) thick flexible tines for grooming duties, plus the further option of an adjustable steel bar on flexible spring mounts for levelling mole hills ahead of the tines.

For a more aggressive action, the Dal-Bo Greenline can have a paddle tine module instead. This comprises a single row of wide spring-steel tines with broad points that mostly would be used to crush clods and level a seedbed in preparation for sowing.

The Harrowflex unit for the Guttler Greenmaster from/ Wox Agri Services takes a different approach. It also has two rows of the familiar harrow tines, preceded if required by a conventional levelling board.

But a new device fitted as standard places immediately in front of the harrow a removable row of broad “C'” leaf tines, each carrying a pair of short 12mm (½in) points.

This arrangement – which Guttler calls the Ripper Board – is designed to give a levelling action when working down a seedbed for sowing and an aggressive tilth-forming action on existing pasture to help over-seeding establishment.

The Harroflex can be carried on the tractor’s rear three-point linkage with the 3m mounted or 6m trailed roller attached or mounted on front linkage to distribute the eight more evenly.

This modular approach also means elements can be removed or added relatively easily. On the other implements, they can be lifted out of work hydraulically but remain on the machine.

The Greenmaster also differs in being based not on a smooth roller but on Guttler’s serrated cast ring rolls.

Rings of different sizes are paired so that one runs on the shoulder of the other to give a self-cleaning action. Unlike the smoothing action of a conventional ballast roller, the prism rings leave a dimpled surface claimed to be beneficial to grass in terms of aeration and drainage.

All three of these implements can also be equipped with a pneumatic seed broadcaster and then used for over-seeding to give tired grazing a lift for a couple of years or to seed a new ley prepared from scratch.

Grass-grooming rollers

Kongskilde UK

Dal-Bo Maxiroll Greenline: Triple 710mm (28in) diameter smooth water ballast rollers with hydraulic weight distribution to wing sections. Choice of double row flexible finger harrow tines with optional steel levelling bar or single row paddle tines. Einbock pneumatic seeder with landwheel or electric metering drive.

Opico

He-Va Grass Roller: Three 710mm (28in) smooth water-ballast rolls on steel folding frame with hydraulic weight transfer from centre to wing sections. Optional twin row of 12mm (½in) flexible harrow tines and steel levelling bar. Opico (Hatzenbichler) Variocast Air 8 air seeder for 6.3m (20ft 8in) model with ground drive metering and Air 16 seeder for 8.2m (26ft 11in) with ground or electric drive metering.

Wox Agri Services

Guttler Greenmaster: 450/500mm (18/20in) cast prism ring rollers (mounted 3m, trailed 6m and 7.7m) with rear- or front-mounted Harrowflex comprising two rows of 12mm (½in) flexible tines preceded by Ripper Board with rigid points on “C” tine for levelling/combing or optional steel levelling bar. Pneumatic seeders with 190- or 410-litre hoppers, ground drive metering and pto, electric or hydraulic fan drive; optional Accord system seeder for 7.7m.