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A two, three, or four-bar stubble cultivator? How to Choose Properly?

A stubble cultivator is an agricultural machine used for deep and intensive soil processing to prepare it for cultivation or sowing by breaking down plant residues, loosening the soil, and leveling unevenness. This crucial stage of tillage aims to improve soil structure and create suitable conditions for plants. Farmers face the basic dilemma of choosing the number of beams with working elements when planning to purchase a grubber. This decision directly impacts the machine's price and subsequent use. A stubble cultivator tills the soil to a depth of 15 cm, while newer no-till designs can till up to 35 cm deeper. The process involves vertically breaking the soil without disrupting the layers, maintaining the natural soil structure, and breaking up the topsoil to facilitate plant root penetration.

Main Features and Functions of the Stubble Cultivator

Deep Soil Processing: The stubble cultivator can work at depths ranging from 15 cm to 35 cm, depending on the model and working element variants. This allows for deeper loosening and improvement of the topsoil.

Decomposing of plant residues: The subsoiler cultivator is equipped with tines that cut through the soil and shred plant residues on the field surface. This helps in evenly decomposing them in the soil, positively affecting its structure and organic content.

Weed Removal: Aids in weed control by removing or burying weeds deeper into the soil.

Cultivation Preparation: Commonly used to prepare fields for sowing or planting crops, particularly when deep cultivation is required.

Improving Soil Structure: Enhances soil structure by loosening it and increasing its airiness.

Energy Saving: More efficient than traditional plowing, allowing for significant energy and fuel savings.

Different Types of Working Elements: Can be tailored to various work and soil conditions with different working elements, such as coulters and undercutting shares.

Rolmako U453 double-beam Gruber

The double-beam cultivator was designed to replace and eliminate the stubble plow in cultivation. It remains a component of plowing technology; deep plowing will be necessary after using such a machine. The double-beam cultivator leaves visible traces of crop residue strips behind the tines in the field. These residues will not be uniformly mixed with the upper soil layer.

Rolmako U436 Three-Beam Gruber

The primary distinction in the three-beam machine is the incorporation of more working elements compared to the two-beam version. Though theoretically possible to install the same number of cultivator teeth on two beams, the resulting narrow spacing between the working elements would hinder material flow, particularly with substantial harvest residues, leading to frequent clogging. The three-beam cultivator is advisable for farms aiming to adopt no-plough cultivation, facilitated by working elements that, with wings removed, enable operation at depths up to 35 cm.

Rolmako U497 four-beam Gruber

The popularity of four-beam cultivators arises from their versatility. The U497 pre-sowing and stubble cultivator is not a typical finishing unit but rather a universal tool capable of performing various tasks. The tasks achievable with the U497 cultivation set include:
- Secondary cultivation for mechanical weed control, such as quackgrass
- Pre-sowing cultivation after plowing
- Loosening and aerating the soil in spring
- Mixing slurry and manure with the soil
- Post-harvest cultivation.

Factors determining the choice of a cultivator

The choice of a stubble cultivator (two-beam, three-beam, or four-beam) depends on several factors.
Field area: For larger areas, it may be advantageous to use a cultivator with more beams, allowing the soil to be processed faster and more efficiently.

Tractor power: Using a cultivator with additional beams requires a tractor with greater power. Choosing a cultivator that is too large for a weaker tractor can lead to excessive fuel consumption, increased equipment wear, and inefficient operation.

Soil structure: For heavier soils that require more effort during stubble cultivation, a cultivator with a larger number of beams may be more advantageous.

Budget: Larger cultivators are typically more expensive, so it is worth considering whether additional beams are necessary for your operation.

Storage and transportation: Larger cultivators require more storage space and may be more difficult to transport.

Summary

Stubble cultivators are versatile tools that enhance soil quality and prepare it for cultivation. Selecting the right cultivator depends on the farmer's specific needs. It is crucial to evaluate the farm's requirements and resources before making a decision. Consulting with experts or other farmers for practical advice is recommended. The choice should be considered within the context of specific growing conditions and goals.