The established Horsch Fortis cultivator design, with its combination of rigid tines and mixing discs, has been extended.

The current AS model now includes sizes from 5.6m to 8.9m for up to 700hp tractors and the more compact LT version is available in 4.6m to 6.75m widths for tractors up to 500hp.

Both forms of the implement are designed with the flexibility to work at minimum depth cultivation just below the surface or up to 30cm deep.

By busting compacted layers and restructuring soil, drainage and root penetration can be promoted beyond seed-bed depth.

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This is achieved by fitting Horsch’s familiar TerraGrip tine, a rigid curved design bolted to a cast carrier that incorporates a horizontal steel coil spring providing up to 550kg break-back resistance.

Mix and match

The manufacturer’s MulchMix collection provides a varied choice of points, wings and curved shins to suit different soil types, conditions and the effect required, including narrow, low disturbance designs with an optional seeding boot.

The TerraGrip tine is shaped to set whichever point is chosen at a relatively shallow angle for effective penetration with least power requirement.

Mixing and levelling discs ahead of the Opti Roll packer © Horsch Fortis

Tines are arranged on the four-bar frame at 27cm spacing, with 85cm of under-frame clearance,

This provides room for trash movement and a “boiling” action said to be effective in mixing stubble, chopped straw and soil.

Transport wheels mounted within the frame in line with the last row of tines are lifted well clear to avoid impeding the cultivator’s mixing action in this area.

At the rear, a bank of scalloped or blade-type concave discs set at an angle complete the mixing and levelling process.

The discs are located ahead of a packer roller that in addition to consolidating the resulting tilth to retain moisture provides the implement’s depth regulation using clips on hydraulic cylinders.

Finishing tool options include:

• Double RollPack
• 550mm diameter two-row packer using U-shaped steel rings
• SteelFlex comprising a 580mm SteelDisc
• 600mm RingFlex unit designed to leave a fine surface
• 730mm Opti Roll lugged ring design for very light soils.

TerraGrip tines with TerraCut chisel and wings, and curved shin © Horsch Fortis