Soil-engaging equipment evolves with conditions. Manufacturers designed zero-till drills in the 1980s responding to drought. When conditions turned wet, manufacturers developed vertical tillage. Herbicide-resistant weeds are the latest enemy.
Farmers, researchers and industry all concede that the final day of miracle chemical pest control products is just over the hill.
Today, we’re witnessing a major trend in soil-engaging implements based on the premise that chemical crop protection products are disappearing.
Some growers who were once dyed-in-the-wool zero tillers are parking their low disturbance drill or trading it in for light duty surface cultivation. This light tillage equipment focuses on creating the ideal seedbed.
Manufacturer McFarlane Ag in Wisconsin is announcing new generation surface-scratching soil finishing tools.
The machine is called the Finalizer. In their news release they describe it as, “An innovative and unique evolution of traditional spring tillage tools.”
A main feature is the Talon sweep is that it has uses a unique vertical blade to break the density layer created by the sweep.
Company vice-president and chief engineer Stan McFarlane said, “Herbicide-resistant weeds are becoming more challenging. Mechanical weed management is still one of the most efficient strategies for growers.
“Our history of developing innovative tillage tools motivated our team to build not just another soil finisher, but one that could help farmers protect yield potential and promote higher yields as well.”
McFarlane said the Finalizer combines four soil-engaging components to manage residue, increase water movement and promote better root growth.
“All components work together to not only kill weeds, but also size residue into manageable pieces and leave a level soil profile for the planter.
“The vertical blade underneath the Talon Sweep is really what sets the Finalizer apart from all other spring tillage tools.
“Our in-field research shows how the Finalizer can improve yield potential by slicing through the density layer and promoting water infiltration.”
The Finalizer is available in widths up to 31 feet. Each unit comes with four soil-engaging standard components:
- Hydraulically adjustable 6.5-millimetre Cobra disk blades penetrate the soil, aggressively cut residue into manageable pieces and loosens the soil profile.
- The Talon Sweep has a unique 2.5-inch wear-resistant vertical blade that penetrates the soil density layer created by the sweep, which promotes improved water infiltration and root growth.
- Two hydraulically and angle adjustable conditioning options to eradicate weeds and condition soil: Conditioning reel and spur-till treader.
- Two proven finishing configurations help give fields the finishing touch: three-bar flexible spike-tooth harrow with a single rolling basket and a five-bar flexible spike-tooth harrow.
