French drill maker Sky has entered new territory with the launch of its first Methys-branded cultivators.

The first is the hybrid disc system (HDS) variant which, as the name suggests, carries two rows of clam shell-like discs to thoroughly chop and mix material to a maximum depth of 10-12cm across its 6m or 8m width.

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A top speed of at least 10kph should encourage plenty of mingling between trash and topsoil, with each disc unit mounted on rubber sausages to soften any shock loads.

Packer wheels at the back are arranged in staggered pairs, though Sky says it is in the process of developing a broader range of rollers and crumblers.

There is also the option of pairing it with a Sulky front tank for sowing cover crops or oilseed rape. In this case, buyers can spec a distribution head on the back that feeds conventional spreader plates.

Cutting system

The Methys takes more than one form though, with the precision cutting system offering an entirely different, tined-based configuration of the same widths as the HDS.

The tines on each of seven rows are armed with carbine-tipped “A” shares designed to slice through the topsoil at a depth of 2-5cm and sever the weeds just below the waistline.

This leaves the root in the soil to die, while three rows of adjustable tines at the rear of the machine flick the foliage, exposing it to warmth and wind that should quickly see to its demise.

To maintain a consistent working depth, the cultivator runs on a central row of wheels mounted on walking beam carriages.

These run directly in front of, rather than behind, the tines so as not to interfere with weed or cover crop destruction.

Recommended working speed is less than 10kph to maintain a consistent cutting depth, and the 6m version will need anything between 110-220hp depending on the soil conditions.

The firm also has 3m, 4m and 6m mounted models in the pipeline.