Stihl Launches BT140, Its First Battery-Powered Auger
With battery tools becoming more widespread and more importantly, productive and reliable, it was only time before we saw augers or post-hole borers.
The implement is offered in 6.5 and 8 metre working widths, both machines carrying five banks of tines and folding to a 3 metre transport width.
Aimed at cropping farmers and vegetable growers, the Turbo T is useful for dealing with maize stubbles or fodder beet residues. It offers 725mm of under-frame clearance, combined with a generous 190mm leg spacing.
Carrying 31 or 44 tines respectively, the machines are equipped with the well-known Kverneland Triflex 400 tines with the instantly recognisable Kverneland green, maintenance- free, leaf spring configuration.
The cultivator offers up to 400kg resistance, with its layout able to operate at working depths of 3 to 20cm.
Buyers can also specify the Reflex tine assembly, aimed mainly at North Island users where there is more ploughing. This provides the option of ripping into stubbles or working, with wider points, on ploughed land.
John Chapman, product manager cultivation and seeding – Power Farming, says that the machine is very versatile in the spring ahead of maize planting, going deeper to help promote root growth. Likewise, he points out that in postcereal harvesting it can be used at high speed at shallower depths to promote weed and volunteer germination – with high work rates.
Offering a ‘full cut’ across the whole working width, a combination of forward speed and resonance within the leg delivers good mixing of trash and organic matter. It also has the added benefit of a level finish.
Power requirement is low – at around 35-40hp per working metre – with routine maintenance also kept to a minimum with use of high-grade steel throughout and sealed bearing assemblies. For those seeking higher daily outputs, the machines have a maximum horsepower rating of 450hp.
The standard point, a 60mm knock-on fitment, is suitable for working at depth to ensure full soil movement through the profile, while also providing time-saving during replacement. For shallower operations, or lighter soil types, options include a 150mm point or the ‘Tiger’ point – specifically designed for stony soils.
Behind the tines, a levelling element consists of a revolving disc configuration, suited to all conditions. This is especially suited to heavy land and high straw volumes, before final consolidation and finishing is carried out by the rear-mounted, 565mm diameter Actipress Roller system.
New for the 2022 season, sees the introduction of a 4.0m mounted machine that will offer the technology to a wider range of users. The Turbo F, features four rows, carrying 21 tines. It is rated up to 300hp and uses hydraulic folding wings to reduce transport width to 2.9m.
At the rear, the twin roller Actipress set up sees 565mm rollers that weigh in at around 250kg/ metre when full of soil. This configuration uses a u-shaped profile for clod breaking, soil consolidation and offers good selfcleaning properties.
