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The James Soil Aerator is designed and built to overcome compaction in heavy soils.
For many years, reducing soil compaction has been recognised as an efficient way of increasing production for grassland and arable operations.
While there are many products in the market, key design features can have a major effect on the efficiency, horsepower requirements, output and ultimately final surface finish.
The James Soil Aerator was designed and built to overcome compaction in heavy soils. This is often demonstrated by surface ponding after rainfall, shallow root systems and restricted plant growth or output.
The five-leg aerator is a linkage-mounted design, centred around a heavy-duty frame for durability with inherent weight to aid penetration in difficult conditions. Operating to a working depth of 23cm, the initial lifting and subsequent ‘wave’ effect creates a vertical slot and horizontal fissures, creating drainage, oxygenation and deeper root systems.
The process also promotes the release of ‘locked’ minerals that are typically unavailable because of a lack of oxygen. MPI trials in Southland showed that ‘aerated’ paddocks on average produced 21.7% more dry matter over a 15-month period.
Up front, the machine has individual disc assemblies, which slice through the soil surface and shallow root systems. This allows easy entry for the aerator leg, as well as reducing surface damage to the sward.
Each of the five legs on the machine are manufactured from high-grade carbon steels, each is inclined slightly forwards to aid penetration and help ‘pull’ the machine into the ground. Each leg is fitted with an adjustable and replaceable shin to prevent excessive wear to the main part of the leg. At the base of the leg, a heavy-duty ‘frog’ assembly carries a replaceable point that creates the initial ‘lift’ and initiates the ‘wave effect’, which creates ground shatter and allows working depths of up to 25cm.
Integral to the machine is a hydraulic auto-reset system, which removes the problem of overload and the frustratingly time-consuming issue of broken shear bolts. Importantly, the machine can be easily adjusted to suit prevailing conditions, such as rock burdens or sub-surface timber. At the same time, it acts as a shock absorber system for the aerator and the tractor rear linkage.
At the rear of the machine, a full-width smooth roller and scraper assembly serves to level any surface imperfections, which ensures that aerated pastures or paddocks can be quickly returned to production.
Massey Ferguson has announced a strategic supply partnership with International Tractors Limited (ITL), a manufacturer of low-horsepower and compact tractors, with recognised brands such as Sonalika and Sollis, to expand its portfolio with a new tractor range.
With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
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