The Strip Tillage machine firstly removes compaction using ripping tines to lift the entire soil profile and shatter subsoil, allowing for improved root growth. 200 mm width bands of soil are then cultivated, leaving uncultivated bands between. The machine has been designed with easy access into rotors through top-lids and also has auto reset on breakaway ripping tines.
The Band Tillage machine has been tested across different regions in New Zealand on a range of soil types including silt, sand, loam and heavy clay. As the machine has been developed within an agricultural contracting business, it has been subjected to varied and demanding soil types and conditions across thousands of hectares. Lincoln University conducted trials comparing conventional cultivation to the Band Tillage machine.
Proven advantages of the Precision Cultivation Strip Tillage machine include better seed strike, reduced cost of crop establishment, reduced soil erosion and minimised soil compaction.
Better seed strike occurs as the machine has PTO driven rotors which produce a fine seed bed, improving soil contact with the seed. In addition, the single pass and the uncultivated bands of soil improve the moisture retention in the soil.
The reduced cost of crop establishment is a result of the one-pass cultivation and planting versus up to five passes when cultivated and planted conventionally.
Soil erosion is reduced as there are uncultivated bands which hold together better than the cultivated soil. Remaining thatch or crop residue on the uncultivated bands can also offer wind protection to the establishing seedlings.
The band tillage machine removes soil compaction allowing for better root growth. Due to a combination of these benefits, crop yields have been seen to improve.
