Versatile

Simple

Accurate

Flexible

Reliable

The front row of 450mm conical discs work best at forward speeds of around 10-15km/h. This gives full incorporation because the discs throw soil energetically to the side. As soon as the harvest trash is mixed in, biological processes set to work and the decomposition rate increases. The working depth of the discs c an be adjusted steplessly during work from the tractor cab.

The discs are manufactured from a very hard ‘V-55’ material and are mounted on rubber-suspension units. The combination of these properties give a phenomenal working life as well as a very low maintenance requirement during operation.

back to top

Tines

The cultivator section of TopDown consists of three rows of rigid tines developed to loosen the soil. These can be fitted with different point options – 50, 80 or 120mm wide.

The design of the tine point is patent-applied. Since they are divided into shin and point, it is sufficient to change only the point, thus minimising wear part costs. Both point and the wing blade are available in optional Marathon form, where they are reinforced with a wearing surface of hard metal (wolfram carbide) for substantially longer life.

The wing blades can be fitted on both the standard 80 mm point and the wider 120 mm point.

50 mm points
The narrow tine points are best suited to breaking up hard areas of soil to greater depths of the machines working range and allow large volumes of surface trash to be incorporated at +20cm depth. They bring less in the way of large clods to the surface, so are well suited to working in very heavy soil types.

back to top

80 mm points
The 80mm points are a mid-way option for loosening of light to medium soils to depths of around 15cm. They move a large volume of soil and ‘boil’ the surface when operated at high speeds, incorporating trash throughout the profile.
Both the 80mm and 120mm points can be fitted with 300mm wide wing shares. The wing blades are used when full-width cultivation is required below the working depth of the discs and the soil has to be loosened.

back to top

120 mm points
The 120mm points are well suited to working at shallower depths or in lighter soils where a large proportion of the soil surface needs to be moved in order to incorporate trash and alleviate surface compaction.

Fitting these points with 300mm wing shares allows the full width of the soil profile to be moved in one pass, even at shallower depths.

back to top

Levelling

The rear discs on TopDown level out any furrows left by the final row of tines. These discs are mounted on rubber suspension, which ensures good contouring and high stone tolerance.

The levelling discs can be steplessly controlled by the hydraulics from the tractor cab during work. With this kind of technical solution, it is easier to suit the degree of levelling to the conditions in individual fields and the amount of coarse material on the surface.

back to top

Consolidation

In dry conditions in particular, it is important that soil is firmed so that germination of volunteer plants and weeds is quick and uniform.

The degree of firming can be controlled according to conditions from the free weight of the rollers to the whole weight of TopDown being carried on the rings to provide maximum consolidation. The steel rings have an aggressive profile, which works the straw and forces it into the soil surface layer to ensure optimal decomposition rate. The rings can also be carried in the fully raised position if required.

back to top

Hot spots

Front Ram

The front ram assembly on TopDown facilitates easy levelling of the machine for optimal performance in work. Shims are inserted to raise or lower the front of the machine.
Valves are also fitted here for adjustment and control of tine auto-reset and rear packer pressure.

Getting any machine set up correctly and level is essential if you want to get the best performance. TopDown needs to be level in work. This is easily achieved with the use of the front ram assembly, which can be monitored at a glance from the tractor cab.

back to top

Folding Mechanism

TopDown folds into two halves for road transport, giving a transport width of only 3m, regardless of working width. Folding is controlled from the tractor cab and automatic locking hooks prevent the machine from unfolding accidentally. When in the field, the tractor hydraulics are used to release the transport lock, without the driver having to leave the cab. Machine setting and preparation can take up a large proportion of the operators time. It is essential to choose a machine that can be put into work as quickly as possible upon arrival at the field. TopDown can be folded and unfolded in an instant, meaning that work can start immediately.

back to top

Depth Control 

The pre-determined working depth of the machine is determined through the use of shims on the transport wheel rams. These set the height of the main frame above the soil surface.

TopDown can be set up to operate in a variety of ways, with each element of the machine working independently to the others. This feature allows the machine to be set in accordance with prevailing field conditions and cropping.

Discs can be used anywhere between zero and 10cm in order to deal with surface trash and cultivation of the upper layers. Next comes the tine section, working between zero and 25cm to alleviate any compaction present, as well as incorporate large amounts of surface trash and harvest residue if required. Levelling intensity is controlled from the cab as required.

back to top

Packer Adjustment

The rear packer unit on TopDown can be set in a multitude of ways in order to optimise performance of the machine in a variety of conditions. It can be held in the fully raised position or placed hard down into work with the full weight of the machine bearing down on it for maximum consolidation. The setting of this element is controlled with the rear rams – they can be fitted with limiting shims to set the height or controlled hydraulically from the tractor cab.

Consolidation can be set exactly to suit conditions, with adjustment of downward pressure possible, to the point where the entire machine weight is transmitted through the press rings.
Weather and soil conditions are the factors that will determine how much weight is transferred through the press rings. When very dry and hard, the soil will take a lot of weight, but if very wet and sticky, it may be necessary to have only a slight amount of pressure applied in order to prevent ‘plucking’ of the soil by the rings or any surface capping.

back to top

Self-cleaning scrapers

TopDown is upgraded with self-cleaning scrapers that give the machine an enhanced ability to work in difficult conditions. This gives more time for both spring and autumn tillage, since the machine can work under less favourable conditions.

back to top