EVEN PLOUGH GETTING HIGH-TECH
CULTIVATIONS
SEED-BED QUEST GOES ON
Discovering ways to create seed-beds in an economical yet effective manner continues to challenge the agricultural industry.
While few would deny the traditional plough and harrow system still remains the most satisfactory method in terms of weed and disease control, the urge to cut costs encourages growers to try other, less time-consuming and inexpensive systems.
Over the years, manufacturers have
developed a series of implements which attempt to meet these requirements – some more successfully than others.
At one extreme is the direct drill, which aims to dispense with all cultivations; at the other is the power-sapping, fuel-guzzling power harrow drill.
And nestling happily between these two are numerous ranges of combination cultivators offering permutations of tines (rigid or spring), discs (scalloped or plain) and
presses (tyre, ring or spiral).
The choice is vast but the aim remains the same – to create a seed-bed both quickly and economically.
With variations in soil types, weather
conditions and previous crop residue
volumes, there is clearly not one method which can rule overall – if one dares to ignore the plough option for any extended period of time.
In this supplement we take a look at the various methods currently in vogue. We also question why a system, which found wild popularity for a few years, faded rapidly into obscurity – the Square Plow.
EVEN PLOUGH GETTING HIGH-TECH
Electronics are getting everywhere – not least that most
traditional of farm implements, the mouldboard plough.
Peter Hill finds out what power control systems on
ploughs have to offer and how they might improve efficiency
IT doesnt take a lot of effort to move a hydraulic lever. But having to move several, in a sequence, time after time, becomes a bit tedious after a while.
For ploughmen, relief from such drudgery is – literally – to hand with the development of high-tech control systems for ploughs that, short of setting up the implement and steering the tractor, can do just about everything else.
At the basic level, electric controls provide switchgear in the cab and solenoid valves on the plough. These make conventional spool valve levers redundant and reduce control movements to delicate fingertip operation of said switches.
Electronic controls go a bit further in adding micro-processor brain power so that some automatic functions can be included.
Power controls have most to offer operators of semi-mounted ploughs which demand a little more skill and judgement in keeping work exits and entries regular and non-productive headland turns efficient.
Massey Ferguson and French plough maker Huard (now absorbed into the Kuhn camp) pioneered the idea with a system that links the ploughs transport/depth wheel to the tractors electronic linkage control system. Called Dual Control, it remains an option on AGCOs latest generation upper horsepower tractors, the 145hp to 260hp MF8200 series.
But compared with purpose-designed plough controls, its functions are limited. At headlands, an adjustable timer automatically lowers or raises the plough wheel to give consistent graduated entries and exits. And in work, draft control movements of the tractor linkage are mirrored by the depth wheel to keep the plough on an even keel.
The former of these functions can also be achieved with John Deere 8000 series and new Case-IH Magnum MX tractors, both of which have spool valves with timer functions.
Useful as these functions are, dedicated power controls bring more functions and become especially useful on articulated frame semi-mounted ploughs – for which drivers virtually need eyes in the back of their head to operate effectively.
On Gregoire Bessons 7-12 furrow SP-9 series, the optional electronic control has about as many functions as can be imagined.
It can be programmed to take the plough through a two-part timed sequence from work to transport position, then back to work. Control of the tractors rear linkage arms can also be included, leaving the driver to concentrate on steering, gears and engine speed.
Moreover, steerable mid-carriage wheels are included in the package, giving significant improvement in manoeuvrability, and the system overcomes the standard ploughs inability to operate the rear frame section separately from the front for graduated entry or to reduce draft on uphill ploughing. With the E version, both are possible.
Manual controls
Electric controls also feature on the new Mega plough from Naud. Available in sizes from 8-12 furrow and capable of handling up to 400hp, the plough has manual power controls at present, but an auto sequencing system is believed to be under development.
Dowdeswell, meanwhile, is introducing an automatic power control system for its largest plough to date, the nine- to 13-furrow articulated 250 series Delta-Furra.
Developed from the DEC facility on the 5-7 furrow 180 series Delta-Furra single-wheel semi-mounted model, it includes a timer-regulated sequence for headland manoeuvres to ease the operators workload.
The Warks-based company says its control system adds to the versatility of the implement, allows narrower headlands by enabling auto depth/transport wheel steering for tighter turns, and improves workrate through the course of a season by making it easier and less tiring for operators to use the plough.
DEC is programmed by performing a headland turn under manual control, then prompting the system to memorise all movements. With the control system switched to auto, the sequence is triggered by the operator raising the tractor linkage arms.
The back of the plough is lifted after the appropriate distance has been travelled – this is measured by a sensor on the land wheel – with the wheel then steering automatically to match the angle of the headstock pivot. The plough is closed, rolled over, then opened to the working position again.
At this point, the system waits until the auto button is pressed again, this time to activate the work entry sequence which amounts to lowering the back of the plough after the programmed time delay.
Although arguably of most benefit on semi-mounted ploughs, Gregoire Besson has fitted electronic control to its latest mounted implement as standard equipment.
Up to six furrows
The HRP-7 series is available in sizes up to six furrows with a choice of 900mm and 1000mm point-to-point clearance, shearbolt or hydraulic auto reset leg protection and manual or hydraulic working width adjustment. Moreover, it can be operated either on-land or in-furrow without modification.
Apart from giving switch control of all these functions via solenoid valves mounted on the headstock, the system is programmable for the headland turn sequence. That not only saves the driver from repetitive tasks but is very smooth in operation, says the manufacturer.
And it simplifies tractor-implement couplings. Instead of needing up to three pairs of hydraulic hoses to operate functions on a hydraulic variable-width version, the HRP-7 needs just one feed and one return hose, and an electric cable. *
Optional Dual Control on Massey Ferguson 8200 series tractors and their predecessors couples a semi-mounted plough to the electronic lift linkage to operate the depth/transport wheel after a programmed timed delay at headlands, and to respond to draft control linkage movements to keep the plough level in work.
Right: Control box for Dowdeswell DEC system, available on 180 series single-wheel and 250 series twin-wheel articulated Delta-Furra ploughs. The system allows functions to be operated manually or in a programmable timed sequence, including wheel steeering to tighten headland turns.
Below: Electronic "brain" coupled to solenoid valves on Dowdeswell 180-series Delta-Furra plough handles the headland sequence, leaving the driver to concentrate on steering the semi-mounted implement into the next run.
Gregoire Besson fits electric solenoid valves on its latest mounted plough – the HRP-7 – giving fingertip control of offset (for on-land or in-furrow operation), front-furrow width, overall working width, and roll-over. The headland sequence can be programmed for automatic operation and fewer hydraulic couplings are needed.