A combination cultivator that brings together spring tines, clod-smashing paddles and seed-bed consolidating discs or rings is Sumo’s latest tillage implement.

The Yorkshire-based manufacturer says the T-Press is designed as a one-pass soil preparation tool for ground that has been ploughed or cultivated, leaving a level finish ready for sowing.

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Available in 4.2m and 6.2m trailed sizes, the new implement kicks off the process with a staggered arrangement of heavy-duty double-coil pigtail tines – 17 and 25 respectively at 250mm spacing.

These are available with a choice of points to suit different soil types and the working depth required to a maximum of 150mm, as well as the job they are expected to achieve.

Their primary role is to open up the soil structure at a shallow depth while adding to the residue management process started by prior cultivations, or to break up and start levelling furrow slices when working on ploughed land.

Next is a row of flexible paddle tines, which extend into the gap between the first row of the soil consolidating elements to crush clods and level the surface.

Adjustment of this levelling board alters how aggressively the paddles tackle lumps – a relatively light setting should be sufficient on light-to-medium crumbly soils, while cranking up the pressure and angle of attack will tackle tougher conditions and more resilient clods.

The two rows of interlocking cast rings or steel discs firm up the resulting seed-bed ready for the drill.

Power requirement is quoted at around 300hp for the 4.2m T-Press weighing in at about 6,400kg, and around 400hp for the 6.2m version, which tips the scales at roughly 7,700kg.