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Agronomic Row Crops
Moderate-Residue Cultivator
Units intended for conservation tillage
conditions (tilled residue with 30 percent coverage) or an untilled
corn crop yielding up to 120 bushels/acre in loose to moderate soils
with occasional stones up to 10 pounds.
Overview: These cultivators are a popular step
up from a conventional cultivator for their ability to handle moderate
weed pressure and moderate residue for less cost than a high-residue
tool. S-tine tools have three to five shanks per row middle and
generally weigh less than single-shank units. Choose sweep shape
for your desired weed impact (i.e., bury, slice or uproot) and degree
of soil/residue mixing. (See “Cultivator sweep
options,”) Operating depth is about 1".
Design Features: Compared with low-residue
S-tine cultivators, these units usually have higher toolbar clearance
(24" to 32") and longer front-to-back clearance (40" to 52"), allowing
better flow between shanks, and between shanks and coulters, and
overall stronger construction. Most have parallel linkage. Close-coupled,
single-shank units are highly maneuverable and reduce power needed
to lift them up. A residue-cutting coulter and residue-pinning gauge
wheel design (see illustration, page 19) increases residue capacity.
Model for comparison: 15' rigid frame for 6 rows
on 30" centers (6R30)
Includes parallel linkage; S-tine shanks; sweeps; two toolbar-mounted
stabilizing coulters; gauge wheels for each gang.
Rec. PTO HP: 70 to 120
Speed: 5 to 8 mph
List price: $4,600 to $13,450 (Range reflects wide variation
in structural strength and mass.)
Width range (all makers/all models): 5' to 44'
Sources: 2, 13,
18, 21,
44, 50,
55, 62,
64, 74,
78
TIP: Sizing a cultivator and
selecting its tooling are choices influenced by hydraulic lift-assist
(page 26), tractor size and hydraulic-system capacity, front-weighting,
tractor tire ballast and prevailing soil and residue conditions. Cultivators
are usually the same width—or half the width—as the planter.
Next section
Agronomic Tool Index
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