Pöttinger: From grassland machinery to global innovator
Formed in 1871, Austrian agricultural machinery manufacturer Pottinger originally focused on producing grassland machinery for a little over a century.
With the ROTOCARE rotary hoe and the FLEXCARE row crop cultivator, mechanical plant protection measures can be implemented gently and effectively.
Settings on the machine can be adjusted to handle different conditions. By operating the tractor lower links in the float position – in combination with depth control wheels – it achieves accurate ground adaptation. The position of the top link regulates the working intensity by adjusting the pressure on the rotary hoe stars, while the forward speed determines the aggressiveness of the process.
The row-independent rotary hoe stars sweep away weeds and their roots out of the soil and deposits them on the surface. The weeds are overturned and completely covered with earth, a lack of sunlight causing them to perish. In addition, any surface ‘capping’ is broken up to produce a crumbled effect. This aerates the soil, improves drainage and promotes nutrient mineralisation. Capable of working speeds of 10 to 30km/h and working widths of 6.6m to 12.4m, the ROTOCARE machines allow farmers to make the most of short, optimal time windows for mechanical weed control.
Settings on the machine can also be adjusted to handle different operating conditions. Many of these settings can be made without the need for tools. Different duck foot shares, weeding blades and following tools allow the machine to be optimised to the operating conditions. Various control systems help to ensure the best working results.
Different row crop cultivation effects can be achieved using FLEXCARE hoeing technology, separating the leaves from the root system. This row crop cultivator can handle row widths between 25 and 160cm, with each tool carrier able to be adapted for up to five hoe elements.
In addition, large, scalloped plant protection discs as well as finger hoes can be attached as following tools. A pre-set hole matrix and indicator scales on each component make it easy to set up all the tools identically.
An integrated hydraulic shift frame is standard and ensures convenient operation. The hydraulically controlled frame greatly reduces driver fatigue while maintaining a high level of precision.
By constantly adjusting the frame to the row, plant damage and crop losses are avoided while compensating for planting inaccuracies and maintaining a narrow hoeing band.
