Narrow, but strong
Cultivator transport goes with a swing
PREPARING the Speed Till combination cultivator for transport or work takes no more effort than swinging the one-piece drawbar and support wheels assembly through 90í.
It is a neat idea, and cheaper than fitting hydraulic folding wings, says Concept Farm Machinery director, Giovanni Aleotti.
"And better than fitting another drawbar for end-towing," he said.
Concept produces its Speed Till implement in 3m, 3.5m, 4m and 6m widths and the Swing Kit transport system is available for the two middle sizes. It comprises a telescopic drawbar attached to a ball bearing-supported swivel at the centre of the cultivator, with transport wheels on arms attached to the same swivel.
In work, the drawbar is secured to pin connections on the front face of the cultivators folded-steel mainframe. With these pins withdrawn, the tractor pulls forward to extend the drawbar which is then uncoupled.
This leaves the drawbar free to be moved by hand to the transport position where the tractor is coupled up again and reversed to engage the drawbar on to securing pins on the side of the cultivator. Moving the drawbar in this way also positions the support wheels ready to lift the cultivator clear of the ground.
"Pinning the drawbar to the main frame ensures that the swivel bears none of the weight or draft of the implement," says Mr Aleotti.
The kit adds £3500 to list prices of £7250 and £7600 for the 3.5m and 4m Speed Till cultivators, which use a duplicated combination of heavy spring tines and toothed packer rolls – with a levelling blade in front – to work down ploughed ground to a seed-bed. *
Narrow, but strong
A NEW range of narrow row-crop wheels for use with tractors and self-propelled vehicles, has been announced by Kirkby (Tyres) of Speke, near Liverpool.
Made by LP of Finland, Kirkby says the wheels come in sizes to match the wide range of row-crop tyres available. The rolled rim is reinforced by a welded steel plate, and the adjustable centre features a double well designed to absorb the stresses and strains experienced when operating heavy implements.
Kirkby says it can supply centres with a variety of stud configurations machined to match tractor and implement specifications. Cost varies according to size. *
Swing Kit for 3.5m and 4m versions of the Concept Speed Till cultivator enables the drawbar and support wheels to be moved to transport or work positions by hand. It is a cheaper alternative to folding wings, says the firm.
Inner strength is the claim for the new row-crop wheels available from Kirkby Tyres.