increase font size
The James Soil Aerator is designed and built to overcome compaction in heavy soils.
Reducing soil compaction has been recognised for many years as an efficient method of increasing production in grassland and arable operations.
While there are many products in the marketplace, key design features can have a major effect on efficiency, horsepower requirements, output and ultimately, the final surface finish.
The James Soil Aerator was designed and built to overcome compaction in heavy soils. This is evidenced by surface ponding after rainfall, shallow root systems and restricted plant growth or output.
The five-leg aerator is a linkage-mounted design. It is 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. MAF trials in Southland showed that “aerated” paddocks on average produced 21.7% more dry matter over a 15-month period.
Up front, individual disc assemblies’ slice through the surface and shallow root systems to allow easy entry for the aerator leg. This also reduces surface damage to the sward.
Each of the five legs, manufactured from high-grade carbon steels, are inclined slightly forwards to aid penetration and “pull” the machine into the ground. Each leg is also 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”. This creates ground shatter and allows working depths of up to 25cm.
Integral to the machine is a hydraulic auto-reset system that removes the problem of overload and the frustratingly time-consuming issue of broken shear bolts. Importantly, the system can be easily adjusted to suit prevailing conditions— such as rock burdens or sub-surface timber. At the same time, it also 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. This ensures that pastures or paddocks can be returned as quickly to onward production.
www.james-engineeering.co.nz
Fieldays and its renowned Innovation Awards are celebrating their 57th year, marking a longstanding tradition in the agricultural calendar, with the latter delivering a platform for problem-solvers to showcase their innovation to the primary industries.
StocksAg has introduced a mounting kit to fit its Turbo Jet 8 or 10 units to pneumatic trailed SKY EasyDrills, allowing separate metering and accurate application of products like Avadex through an additional set of outlets behind the drill’s press wheel.
Väderstad’s Rapid A 400-800S, Rapid A 600-800C, Spirit 400C/S and Spirit 600-900C/S pneumatic seed drills have received a new distributor head that can be fitted with motors for all outlets.
Waikato dairy farmer Dan Hinton reckons the main reason he hasn’t bought a side-by-side yet is the purchase price, with many brands offering little or no change from $30k to $40k.
Designed specifically for large farms that want to drill with maximum flexibility, efficiency and power, the new Lemken Solitair ST seed drill offers a useful entry into precision farming.
Fonterra shareholders are concerned with a further decline in the co-op’s share of milk collected in New Zealand.
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
Free workshops focused on managing risk in sharefarming got underway last week.
Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.
Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.
WoolWorks, New Zealand’s largest wool-scouring company, has partnered with the Lions Club of Riverton to help raise money for much-needed repairs to the Southland town’s swimming pool.
OPINION: Was the ASB Economic Weekly throwing shade on Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr when reporting on his speech in…
OPINION: A reader recently had a shot at the various armchair critics that she judged to be more than a…
