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Post-harvest, the removal of stubble is essential. The question arises: which implement is more effective - a disc harrow or a stubble cultivator? Should one opt for teeth or discs? Perhaps ultra-shallow stubble cultivation is the answer.

Stubble duel - stubble cultivator or disc harrow? This is a critical consideration for many farmers during post-harvest cultivation. Increasingly, stubble is cultivated shallowly with specialized tools. Technically, machines designed for these purposes differ in efficiency, energy consumption, and, most importantly, the cultivation effect. We have examined these growing solutions and provided a summary.

Before selecting a specific model, it is essential to consider the type of machine, evaluating criteria such as cultivation capabilities, universality of use, and operating costs. Rolmako's offerings in the category of stubble cultivation machines are divided into disc harrows, stubble cultivators, and machines with specialized tools for ultra-shallow soil cultivation. Critical factors influencing the choice include the farmer's openness to new land processing techniques, the number of hectares managed, and the cultivation technology. There are no perfect machines for every circumstance, soil, and climate condition, which is why Rolmako's production offer includes a comprehensive range of soil cultivation tools. Below, we describe each stubble cultivator, disc harrow, and other devices with their cultivation specifications, the soil on which they should work, and the maximum working depth.

DISC HARROW?

Disc harrows effectively mix soil and have relatively low power requirements. These machines do not encounter clogging issues when dealing with large amounts of harvest residues in the field. Their use allows for high productivity and easy adaptation to various conditions. However, disc harrows can have issues with digging into heavy soil. To mitigate this, the disc harrow must have sufficient mass. Recognizing this, Rolmako designers ensure the machines maintain an appropriate weight, understanding that each additional kilogram enhances cultivation results and structural durability. This design, coupled with a far-set center of gravity, necessitates high lifting capacity for larger models. Consequently, larger models are produced in semi-mounted versions (U 693/U 652/U 671), resulting in greater pressure on the cultivated soil. Rolmako machines consistently perform well, even during prolonged dry periods, without the need for additional weights.

Lower operating costs compared to alternative solutions

Compact disc harrows, also known as disc units, offer the advantage of a compact structure, bringing the unit's center of gravity closer to the tractor and requiring less lifting capacity of the linkage. Appropriate edge discs and rollers located behind the main working section prevent the formation of furrows. Operating costs of plow elements are a crucial factor in choosing disc harrows; cultivating discs can last for over a thousand or several thousand hectares, depending on the disc's thickness, diameter, and cultivation conditions, which is not comparable with fixed components of stubble cultivators. Due to the rotary tillage elements, disc harrows require less pulling power from a farm tractor, making cultivation with these tools more economically justified. Rolmako disc harrows with rubber shock absorption are versatile machines used for various field operations, including pre-sowing, stubble work, and mixing fertilizers and manure with the soil.

Differences between individual models of disc harrows

Rolmako provides a diverse array of models, each offering various configurations of discs, rollers, and additional working elements. This allows farmers to tailor the weight, disc diameter, tooth shape, and tillage roller to the specific conditions of their farm. The agricultural machine's configuration supports operation on light, heavy, and even stony soil, and is adaptable for use with tractors of varying power. It is essential to note that larger agricultural equipment and more challenging conditions require greater tractor power. Rolmako disc harrows feature diverse disc shapes suitable for shallow cultivation, soil preparation for sowing, and stubble cultivation up to a depth of 15 cm. The machine can be equipped with additional fieldwork elements such as catch crop seeders, tillage rollers, beams with rakes, knife rollers, and support wheels. Individual models vary significantly in weight, the distances between the front and rear beams with working elements, the distance between the discs and the tillage roller, the shock absorbers used, the diameter and angle of attack of the discs, the machine's configuration options, and cultivation capacity. Some concerns have been raised about disc harrows contributing to couch grass propagation by cutting its runners. However, the use of a special SpeedCutter disc for ultra-shallow cultivation ensures excellent field hygiene.

What are the functions of disc harrows?

Rolmako disc harrows are highly popular due to their multifunctionality. A single pass of the disc harrow enables multiple agricultural tasks that would typically require several different machines. Disc harrows facilitate the following tasks:
- Pre-sowing cultivation
- Soil loosening
- Spreading grass and legumes on grasslands
- Plowing stubble
- Mixing scattered manure and mineral fertilizers
- Breaking up solids
- Removal of weeds and rhizomes
- Thorough mixing of soil with harvest residues.

What are the advantages of a disc harrow?

Many Polish farmers are increasingly adopting disc harrows due to their numerous advantages, including:
- Simple and durable construction
- Multifunctionality
- High work efficiency
- Low power requirement
- Low operating costs
- Compatibility with various types of tillage rollers and other working elements
- High-quality cultivation treatments
- Resistance to clogging
- Versatile equipment configuration to cater to individual needs.

Machine selection:
- Compact disc harrow U 693
- Disc harrow U 652
- SpeedCutter disc harrow
- Heavy stubble harrow U 671

…OR MAYBE A GRUBER?

Stub cultivators, also known as grubers, enable the breaking of stubble even on heavy soils. The disadvantage of grubers is their higher power requirement compared to disc harrows and lower efficiency. Grubers mix post-harvest residues well, replacing the classic stubble plowing with an arable plow. To avoid this, the frame must have working teeth spaced as far apart as possible from each other. The most popular in the offer are three and four-beam cultivators. Most Rolmako cultivators offer a wide range of possibilities from shallow stubble cultivation to deep loosening. They offer a wide range of applications to meet the highest demands. Different types of tools used in Rolmako cultivators are tailored to specific tasks: undercutting the entire surface, shallow cultivation, intensive mixing, deep cultivation. The many available models of Rolmako cultivators create a universal set of machines not only in terms of working depth but also in cultivation quality.

Equipment suitable for the tractor - better reserve of tractor power than shortage

As the large tines of the cultivators leave the field in disarray, an inherent element of stubble cultivators is the leveling section, often a row of discs. Pressing rollers are installed behind them. Typically, these are pipe, ring, rubber, and steel rollers that perform well on various soil types. When selecting the working width, it is essential to maintain a power reserve rather than a deficiency, as operating a cultivator requires an appropriate speed exceeding 10 km/h. Below this speed, work outcomes may be unsatisfactory. Optimally selecting the working width of the cultivator to match the power of the agricultural tractor is complex, as it depends on several factors. The minimum power specified by Rolmako in the technical parameters may increase by up to 50% in challenging conditions. Ultimately, the farmer, familiar with their own farming conditions, makes the decision. Consulting technical advisors is advisable, as the specific configuration of the tillage equipment may significantly impact the tractor's requirements.

Using a high-quality cultivator enhances field conditions and helps maintain its quality

Stubble aggregates enable efficient post-harvest cultivation. Timely use prevents fields from being overrun with self-seeded plants, easing weed control. Additionally, stubble cultivators minimize water evaporation, positively affecting soil moisture levels. These machines are designed to loosen the topsoil, improving water penetration and root access. Prompt post-harvest tillage mixes plant residues with soil, accelerating decomposition. Furthermore, seeds that fall during harvest germinate more quickly with stubble aggregates. Selecting the right model is crucial; an ill-fitted cultivator complicates fieldwork and causes significant delays. Consider the farm size, soil type, and tractor engine power when purchasing.

What should a cultivator be like for plowless cultivation?

Plowless cultivation, often referred to as simplified or reduced cultivation, aims to minimize the number of tillage operations in comparison to traditional plowing systems. Farms operating without plows are becoming increasingly common due to their numerous benefits, including reduced workload and time savings, even for large farms. This approach is achievable through the use of appropriate tines with a wide range of working depths. The initial machine required for transitioning from plow cultivation to no-plow cultivation is a cultivator. Despite its simple construction, a cultivator must meet several operational requirements to be effective. A fundamental aspect of a cultivator used for no-plow cultivation is the arrangement of tines on the frame. Given the often significant amount of crop residues encountered during operation, it is essential for the construction to include at least three rows, similar to the U 436 multifunctional tillage cultivator.

Necessary requirements for a cultivator for no-plow soil cultivation:

- The compact frame structure allows intensive mixing of soil with organic matter
- At least a 3-row design is required to manage large amounts of harvest residues
- The number of tines and their spacing in a row are crucial. A machine with more teeth functions better in high soil flow conditions. Optimally, there should be 11 tines for a 3-meter width Working tools set at optimal distances ensure effective mixing and light traction
- The system must allow for smooth operation at a depth of 35 cm
- Large ground clearance under the cultivator frame is necessary for high throughput of harvest mass
- Beams must have appropriate protection; spring protection is standard for the U 436 cultivator
- Effective digging in all working conditions, including heavy and dry soils
- High-quality mixing of crop residues in all conditions.

Machine selection:
- Universal crop cultivator U 497
- Cultivator with a mulch harrow ComboTill
- Stubble cultivator U 453
- Multifunctional tillage cultivator U 436

Disc harrow or tine cultivator? The answer is not straightforward

The use of the cultivator brings numerous benefits. Weeds and autumn self-seeders are mechanically controlled. Working with the cultivator in early spring enables economical and sustainable cultivation on any field. This machine offers great application flexibility. Each device has its strengths and weaknesses. Diverse cultivation conditions require an individual approach. Ideally, both a cultivator and a harrow should be available. Many farmers choose to keep both devices in their machinery park. In our opinion, if we have to choose one of these cultivation tools, in most cases, the choice should be the disc harrow due to its versatility and low operating costs. Some criticize disc harrows for contributing to the propagation of couch grass by cutting its rhizomes. In this case - if we criticize disc harrows for spreading couch grass - the cultivator will not cultivate such a field at all because it will simply get clogged with rhizomes and masses of soil. For the first post-harvest cultivations, the use of ultra-shallow cultivation with specialist tools offering surprisingly good cultivation results, described in the following sections, is justified.

ULTRA-SHALLOW SOIL CULTIVATION...

Farming technology is essential not only for plants but also for addressing broad soil protection issues, including water conservation. The latest trend in land cultivation, with significant potential for water protection and hygienization, is ultra-shallow cultivation, particularly ultra-shallow stubble cultivation. This technique cuts the entire cultivated profile to a depth of only 2-3 cm. It can be applied to both plowing and no-plough cultivation methods. This cultivation mixes crop residues with the soil to a lesser extent but effectively stops water evaporation from the soil and initiates the emergence of fallen weed seeds and volunteer seeds on the soil surface. Ultra-shallow cultivation improves results at lower costs, as less soil turnover means reduced diesel fuel usage. Adhering to plant biology reduces chemical costs and enhances field hygiene. Additionally, better grinding of crop residues accelerates their mineralization.

Effective weed control without the use of chemicals

Rapeseed and weed seeds germinate when placed shallowly in the soil, at a depth of 2-3 cm. With minimal cultivation depth, approximately 25% of crop residues are covered. Uncovered residues protect the soil surface. Germinating self-seeding and weed seeds can be eliminated through additional mechanical treatment. This method revisits established and proven practices, reducing the need for chemical plant protection products and promoting the large-scale use of integrated protection methods. Specialized machines and tools should be employed for such shallow cultivation, ensuring consistent performance across the entire working width despite the minimal depth. In ultra-shallow technology, the cultivation unit's throughput is crucial, facilitating the grinding and mixing of substantial plant biomass with the topsoil, thereby ensuring high machinery efficiency.

Reasons for the Increased Interest in Ultra-Shallow Cultivation

Ultra-shallow tillage is a relatively new term increasingly utilized in agricultural practice, particularly in relation to specific no-plough technologies. The rising popularity of ultra-shallow cultivation is driven by climate change, notably increasing issues with soil moisture deficiencies and extreme local weather events. These challenges compel farmers to seek new technological solutions in tillage that help minimize water loss from the soil profile, such as the problem of soil drying in the plowing system. Furthermore, there is escalating concern among farmers about potential restrictions on the use of certain chemicals. Self-seeding rapeseed depletes soil nutrients and competes with cultivated plants for water and light, deteriorating the quality of the harvested oil raw material when it matures alongside properly sown crops. Excessive self-sown rapeseed can cause fat plants to reject collected seeds due to exceeding permissible standards for harmful compound content. To prevent these adverse situations, it is prudent to combat self-seeding by employing ultra-shallow tillage technology. This method involves operating the tillage unit at a depth of 2-3 cm with a high operating speed of up to 20-25 km/h.

Why was ultra-shallow cultivation developed?

The need for shallower cultivation has increased in recent years due to several factors:
- Rising costs of soil cultivation
- Growing issues with self-seeding rapeseed and herbicide-resistant weeds
- Phasing out of certain agricultural chemicals
- Increased use of cover crops
- Escalating problems with the European corn borer.

Tools and Machines for Ultra-Shallow Cultivation: 

Rolmako designers have long focused on developing units for ultra-shallow cultivation:
- Knife rollers
- Rotary harrows
- Compact disc harrows
- Grubbers for shallow cultivation
- Mulch harrows
- Combination of a cultivator and a mulch harrow.

Machine selection:
- Rotary hoe MATRIX
- Double knife roller TurboCut
- SpeedCutter disc harrow
- Mulch harrow SpringExpert

Advantages and Tasks of Cultivating

Cultivating a field fulfills various tasks:
- Crushes furrows remaining after plowing on heavier soils
- Accelerates soil settlement by tearing and crushing furrows after plowing, particularly on heavy and compact soils
- Loosens excessively settled plowed soil, including the destruction of the soil crust after winter and pre-sowing loosening
- Can replace sowing plowing when the forecrop for winter cereals is root crops
- Sometimes serves as a substitute for stubble work
- Replaces basic procedures in plant production, such as plowing in simplified (often ecological) agricultural technologies. The soil is not turned over, leaving much harvest residue on the surface as mulch, which protects against excessive crusting and erosion caused by rains. It promotes rainwater infiltration and limits evaporation and erosion processes.
- Destroys and removes weeds, especially couch grass runners and germinating weed seedlings
- Mixes compost and mineral fertilizers with the soil. This is important for deeper soil coverage of these materials and provides better mixing of applied mineral fertilizers than harrowing.

SUMMARY: THE CHOICE IS NOT CLEAR:
Disc Harrow / Stubble Cultivator / Ultra-shallow Cultivation Unit

The extensive selection of Rolmako tools for stubble cultivation enables farmers to find the optimal option for their operations. There are noticeable trends in the designs of Rolmako machines. All disc harrows feature individual shock absorption for each working element. Regarding cultivators, in addition to traditional stubble machines, we offer a range of machines with broader functionalities, allowing for conventional cultivation. Replaceable working attachments and extensive adjustment options for operating parameters enhance the versatility of cultivators for various field tasks, from shallow cultivation before sowing to deep cultivation replacing the arable plow. This versatility is achieved by enabling the use of different types of teeth and facilitating the replacement of working elements. Each machine has its proponents, and no definitive answer exists as to which one is best. This publication aims to summarize Rolmako's range of stubble cultivation machines and address the key considerations. Farmers with smaller operations should seek more universal machines and maximize their potential, while large-scale farmers should invest in specialized tools for specific tasks. Such investments yield returns when the tillage machine is fully utilized. Each farmer must make decisions based on their cultivation model, whether traditional or simplified. The primary consideration should be economic, with cultivation kept as shallow as possible to achieve the desired effect. This approach aims to reduce costs and enhance farm profitability.