Strong case for low ground pressure kit

21 July 2000




Strong case for low ground pressure kit

SILAGE yields were 15% lower where heavy contractors equipment had been used for three years compared with low ground pressure equipment on a wet site at Kilmaley, Co Clare.

Teagascs Dermot Forristal explained to visitors that a three-year study compared typical contractors silaging equipment with low ground pressure (LGP) kit at two sites. A drier site at Oak Park, where they expected little or no yield loss, also suffered a severe yield penalty at 8%, he said.

Buying the equivalent in lost silage at £56/t, would have cost £50/ha (£20/acre) and £27/ha (£11/acre), respectively. However, reducing compaction would mean cutting tyre pressures by half to 15 psi (1 bar).

"That requires a huge increase in tyre size. In practice its difficult to achieve that and it would increase costs for contractors."

Although the required tyres are not currently available, he estimates additional capital investment at £30,000-£40,000. "But using them for 2000ha a year, over a number of years means they would cost £7-£10/ha extra. Then you only need a yield increase of 2% to pay for them."

Low ground pressure tyres for silaging are easy to justify, says Dermot Forristal.


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