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Breaking through the barriers to increased yields

Great Plains offers a range of vertical tillage tools specially developed to remove damaging compaction layers, maintain optimum soil density, chop residue into planter-manageable pieces and create a fine, level seedbed at the optimum seeding depth.

Vertical Tillage - The right tools for the job

Soil loosening

FLATLINERThe Flatliner provides maximum shatter of deeply embedded compaction layers (up to 550mm down) with minimum surface disturbance and features a consolidating rear DD roller. Working widths from 3.0m to 4.5m.

SUB-SOILERThis in-line sub-soiler eliminates compaction layers and soil density changes in one pass. Choice of no-till or straight leg tines. Working widths from 3.0m to 7.6m.

Residue management, consolidation and seedbed creation

SLDEquipped with Pro-Lift hydraulic reset tines and a DD rear roller, the SLD leaves an excellent level finish and offers superb mixing of residue, while also performing an effective loosening operation down to 300mm. Working widths from 2.8m to 6.0m.

TURBO-CHISELA proven combination of chopping, mixing and leveling, this efficient and effective unit gives you the flexibility of cultivating down to depths of 300mm and can be configured to suit any soil and residue conditions. Working widths from 2.7m to 8.76m.

SLA single row of Pro-Active disc units followed by two rows of either ST or LD (Low Disturbance) tines, another set of discs and a choice of five rear rollers on most models combine to create a seedbed of the highest quality. Working widths from 4.0m to 6.7m.

TURBO-MAX™With its 19cms blade spacing and adjustable gang angle from 0° to 6°, Turbo-Max™ provides more aggressive ground leveling, weed removal, and enhanced residue sizing. Working widths from 3.66m to 12.2m.

MOUNTED X-PRESS + ST BARWith an ST Bar fitted ahead of the X-Press, this proven, compact disc harrow with integrated press roll, is transformed into a one-pass cultivator. The X-Press + ST Bar restructures the soil, taking out compaction caused by harvest traffic, down to a depth of 250mm. Working widths from 2.5m to 4.0m.

Tillage passes in the Spring have to do three things correctly to achieve optimum yields

• Compacted layers created by horizontal tillage restrict root development and humidity movement through the soil, reducing yield potential

• Roots in a top, lower-density layer are diverted sideways when a higher-density layer is encountered

Conventional Tillage

• Does not leave growth inhibiting compaction layers in the soil

• Creates vertical cracks and fissures, promoting good capillary action

• Leaves a uniform, unrestricted soil profile for optimum root development and water absorption

• Roots can reach and utilise more water, air and nutrients

• Root systems are deeper and better dispersed through the soil improving plant standability

• Vertical Tillage INCREASES YIELDS

Vertical Tillage

Shallow Cultivations

Mid Compacted Layer

Deep Compacted Layer

Sub-Soiler removes density layers at varying depths to leave a uniform soil profile.

FIELD CULTIVATOR

DISK

ROOTS CAN’T PENETRATE

PLOW

RESET PROFILE UNRESTRICTED ROOTSRoots can grow and thrive without being restricted by

compaction layers.

Great Plains Vertical Tillage Tools Ensure Even Plant EmergenceGreat Plains Vertical Tillage tools create a smooth, level surface on top AND at the optimum seeding depth, eliminating seed bounce and ensuring even emergence.

‘The Last Pass Rules’After 5 years of Vertical Tillage, one pass with the wrong type of cultivator can cut the maize yield by 417 to 1702 kg/ha.

Horizontal axle with concave discs Individual Spring Coulters Great Plains Vertical Tillage Tools

RUMBLE STRIP RUMBLE STRIP SMOOTH

PLANTER BOUNCE

PLANTER BOUNCE

Sub-Soiling Promotes Good Soil Structure and Root Growth

1: Maintain Optimum Soil DensityAn effective vertical tillage tool maintains soil density by entering the soil perpendicular to the ground. Traditional disc harrows with horizontal disc axles and deep concaved discs can create compacted layers of soil.

2: Manage ResidueThe next job of a Spring vertical tillage tool is to manage residue. It should chop the residue into planter-manageable size pieces that can be easily moved with a row cleaner to flow through the planter.

3: Create The Perfect SeedbedWith the right vertical tillage implement you can create the perfect seed bed with a smooth and level surface at seeding depth to ensure even emergence.

Planter Accuracy is vital for achieving even emergenceWithout even emergence, plants that sprout days after the rest basically become a weed that robs nutrients and light from good plants, reducing the yield potential of both the late plant and the good neighbouring plant.

Great Plains Yield-Pro® Planters are designed to provide outstanding planting accuracy through a combination of innovative features.

Planter Accuracy

NUTRIENT PLACEMENTVERTICAL TILLAGE FALL PLANTER ACCURACYVERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING TWIN-ROW SPACING

SEED SINGULATION Air-Pro® seed meters eliminate skips and doubles, ensuring that seeds are consistently dropped one at a time with no deviation in spacing.

SEED TUBE DESIGN The Clear-Shot® seed tube provides every seed with a smooth, uninterrupted path to the bottom of the seed trench.

PLANTING SPEED The Clear-Shot® seed tube maintains its high accuracy at faster “dead drop” speeds than most competitive seed tubes.

DEPTH CONTROL Seeds planted at inconsistent depths result in uneven emergence. Side-depth gauging wheels, are mounted on a ‘Walking Berm’ which reduces opener movement when one wheel runs over an obstruction.

SEED-TO-SOIL CONTACT This is important in getting all plants to germinate at the same time. Great Plains Seed-Lok® Wheels or Keeton Seed Firmers® press the seed into moist soil.

TRENCH CLOSURE Great Plains Yield-Pro® planters close the trench properly so that seeds won’t dry out and cause uneven emergence.

Twin-Row gives your maize more room to growStudies indicate that roots will stop spreading when they encounter neighbouring plant roots. Twin-Row allows roots more room before into neighbouring roots.

• Promotes vigorous root development

• Allows higher planting populations

• Utilises sunlight more efficiently

• Makes more efficient use of moisture

• Works in all areas and soil structures

• Increases stalk diameter making plant stand better

• Increases tonnage and relative feed value in silage

• Harvestable with standard corn head

Twin-Row Spacing

NUTRIENT PLACEMENTVERTICAL TILLAGE FALL PLANTER ACCURACYVERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING TWIN-ROW SPACING

FIELD CULTIVATOR

DISK

ROOTS CAN’T PENETRATE

PLOW

RESET PROFILE UNRESTRICTED ROOTS

FIELD CULTIVATOR

DISK

ROOTS CAN’T PENETRATE

PLOW

RESET PROFILE UNRESTRICTED ROOTS

FIELD CULTIVATOR

DISK

ROOTS CAN’T PENETRATE

PLOW

RESET PROFILE UNRESTRICTED ROOTS

Vertical Tillage Spring

417 to 1702 kg/ha lossSource: Farm Journal 2002

Vertical Tillage (Spring)

NUTRIENT PLACEMENTVERTICAL TILLAGE FALL PLANTER ACCURACYVERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING TWIN-ROW SPACING

Vertical Tillage Autumn

Vertical Tillage (Autumn)

NUTRIENT PLACEMENTVERTICAL TILLAGE FALL PLANTER ACCURACYVERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING TWIN-ROW SPACING

Yield Response In a five-year Farm Journal study, vertical tillage maize out-yielded conventional tillage maize by 815 kg/ha. Some soil types did better – some a little less – but all benefitted from vertical tillage.

Planter Accuracy

Twin-Row Spacing

The Great Plains Systems Approach –Proven to Increase Yields

NUTRIENT PLACEMENTVERTICAL TILLAGE FALL PLANTER ACCURACYVERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING TWIN-ROW SPACINGVertical Tillage Autumn NUTRIENT PLACEMENTVERTICAL TILLAGE FALL PLANTER ACCURACYVERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING TWIN-ROW SPACINGNUTRIENT PLACEMENTVERTICAL TILLAGE FALL PLANTER ACCURACYVERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING TWIN-ROW SPACINGNUTRIENT PLACEMENTVERTICAL TILLAGE FALL PLANTER ACCURACYVERTICAL TILLAGE SPRING TWIN-ROW SPACINGVertical Tillage Spring Planter Accuracy Twin-Row Spacing

Field CultivatiorDiscPlow

Why Vertical Tillage?

The root of all yields 5 year Farm Journal study (East Central IL) Vertical Tillage vs. Conventional Tillage Average Statistical Yield Impact (all fields, all soil types)

Vertical Tillage Increased Yields by 815 kg/haSource: Farm Journal, July/August 2001, maize-on-maize.

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