| Tillage
Cousins new Front Press
Cousins front mounted presses are available in widths from 1.5 to 6m ( larger models with hydraulic folding ). Front press options include cast rings , coils , razor rings , tooth packers and a choice of attachments including paddles or spring board tines . The effectiveness of the front press can be enhanced by adding a leading tine system .
M ichael Goody is farm manager at Babraham Farms , Cambridgeshire which comprise around 600 ha of arable land most of which benefits from pressing either following ploughing or min till operations .
“ The key is to use the press for evelling , just touching but not pushing the soil ”
Having taken delivery of an imported 6m front press with paddles in 2014 , Michael was faced with a dilemma : having equipped his New Holland T6080 with a new 2.8 ton front linkage , efforts to lift the ‘ 2.5 ton ’ press were unsuccessful . “ The tractor just grunted !” explained Michael .
The supplier suggested that he remove the front paddles . This was not acceptable as it would fundamentally compromise the operation of the press . Around this time Michael decided to check exactly what his front linkage was up against . He was surprised to find it tipped the scales at 3.5 tons !
It was time to consider an alternative so he talked to John Cousins who was up for the challenge : “ I ’ ll build you a set of press coils you can lift !”
Cousins ’ standard 6m folding coil press with front paddles was delivered to the farm . Initially these also proved too heavy so the kit was returned to Cousins ’ factory and their engineers got to work . They reduced the overall depth of the assembly by taking 175mm out of the main frame depth and shortening the linkage arms on the headstock for closer coupling to Michael ’ s T6080 .
The result was a 2.5 ton close coupled arrangement that would work with Michael ’ s front linkage .
“ Cousins carried out the modifications at no cost to me ” he says “ and you can ’ t ask for more than that !”
Mzuri to present the new ‘ direct till drill ’ concept at Tillage-Live
Mzuri confirmed attendance at Tillage-Live event taking place on 14th September at Monks Kirby , Warwickshire , where the manufacturer will be presenting their low disturbance tillage equipment .
S pecifically , visitors to the Mzuri ’ s demonstration plot will be able to see Mzuri ’ s new Pro-Til ‘ direct till drill ’ concept and the Rezult straw rake . The company ’ s technical staff will also be at hand on James Green Farm Machinery ’ s stand to advise farmers on best strip-till practice techniques .
The Select model is capable of placing seed in 33.3cm or 66.6cm row spacings and in single or dual bands , depending on coulter configuration
New to Tillage-Live show , Mzuri will use its working plot to showcase its innovative ‘ direct till drill ’ concept – a unique 3-in-1 drill which allows users to carry out strip tilling , direct drilling and precision seeding with just one piece of equipment . The one pass drill offers the ultimate flexibility which is awarded by its wide choice of seeding coulters , some of which will be fitted onto the Pro- Til 3T Select – Mzuri ’ s trailed three metre model - on demonstration . Designed to create minimum soil disturbance , the Pro-Til Select produces a narrow tilled band to ensure quick and even seed germination whist leaving the rest of the ground intact to aid soil structure . Capable of drilling most combinable crops , the direct till drill will feature pivoting leading discs , auto-reset breaker legs complete with wing and fertiliser placement option and staggered reconsolidating wheels , to ensure the perfect seeding environment . The patented seeding legs on the machine have a 900mm clearance for maximum trash flow and pivot side to side to ensure the seed is always placed centrally to the seeding zone . The legs will feature a ground-following wheel which delivers exceptional seeding depth accuracy , with a pressure ram for optimum soil reconsolidation . A combination of these unique features significantly reduces the
risks typically associated with crop establishment , which include hair pinning or uneven germination .
Seed delivery is from a dual 3400 litre hopper ( 60:40 seed : fertiliser ratio ) with variable seed metering unit and seed flow monitors also fitted as standard . The Select model is capable of placing seed in 33.3cm or 66.6cm row spacings and in single or dual bands , depending on coulter configuration , to best suit the crop . The Pro-Til direct till drill can go directly into straw stubble and previous crop residue , as well as into ploughed seedbed .
Mzuri will also be demonstrating the Rezult – the 7.5m low
He is delighted with the results . “ The key is to use the press for levelling , just touching but not pushing the soil . I also find that having the front press the same width as my following seed drill makes accurate drilling very easy .”
Michael was pleased to let another farmer try his Cousins press on his Fendt tractor which resulted in a second sale . In fact Cousins of Emneth have adopted the close coupled design as a standard for all their new front coil presses .
disturbance tilth generator . Fitted with 24 front cutting discs and 5 rows of extra-long 28 ” tines , the Rezult marks a major advance in the preparation of stale seedbeds and straw management . The light tilth produced by the machine is ideal for stimulating weed germination and has proven to be highly effective in controlling blackgrass , as well as disturbing slug habitats . Followed by a blanket application of non-selective herbicide , this creates the perfect environment for drilling . The Rezult can also be fitted with a Stocks seeder which makes for a cheap , yet highly effective method of establishing cover crops .
22 | Farming Monthly | August 2016 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk