Regardless of the tillage practice, creating a high-efficiency seedbed is critical for planting success. New advancements to the Case IH lineup of tillage tools help producers create an optimal seedbed — from the flat subsurface floor to the smooth surface finish.
“The seedbed sets the foundation for the next growing season,” said Chris Lursen, Case IH tillage marketing manager. “Creating an ideal environment for seed to be placed will not only help increase yield potential but also increase planting efficiency because the planter will not have to compensate for an uneven seedbed.”
Built on Agronomic Design™ principles, enhancements to the Tiger-Mate® 255 field cultivator and True-Tandem™ 335 VT provide new options for producers to customize tillage tools to their individual field conditions to create that perfect seedbed.
The Tiger-Mate 255 field cultivator is the last tillage pass before planting. While the beefed up, swept-back shank design creates a smooth subsurface floor, the Advanced Conditioning System (ACS) reduces clod sizes, evenly distributes residue and levels the soil for an even finish. New options allow producers to match their harrow specifically to their soil types, including:
• The 3-bar spike-tooth harrow with hydraulic down pressure TigerPaw™ Crumbler® features three rows of spikes followed by a rolling Crumbler to hit even the toughest clods, such as in forest soils. The patented hydraulic down pressure system offers fast, easy and independent adjustment of each section.
• The 3-bar Extreme Tiger-Tine ACS harrow with spring down pressure TigerPaw Crumbler features twice as many tines as Case IH two-bar versions, allowing more leveling than ever before. The tines themselves have been redesigned for maximum flexibility, allowing residue to filter through the tines. Plus, four tine angle positions allow producers to easily adjust soil smoothness. Following the tines, a large 14-inch Crumbler pulverizes the soil.
• The 3-bar Extreme Tiger-Tine ACS harrow with hydraulic down pressure TigerPaw Crumbler has the same great finishing features of the previous harrow, but with hydraulic down pressure to adjust the mainframe, inner wings and outer wings. The Crumbler can be placed in float or lifted on the go to avoid wet spots.
“There are more than 16,000 types of soil in the U.S. These new harrow options make it easier to tackle even the heaviest soils,” Lursen said.
For producers who desire additional conditioning systems, the new factory-available rear hitch makes it quick and easy to attach an additional implement. This mounted hitch also offers shorter transport length than other towed options. Plus, the Tiger-Mate 255 is now available in a 32-foot single-fold low-transport-height model for those areas sensitive to transport heights over 13 feet and 6 inches.
Longer-edge-life blades for vertical tillage
The True-Tandem 335 VT is a tillage tool that aligns with conservative tillage practices, while promoting a high-speed, high-efficiency seedbed. Whether spring or fall, this tool is designed to slice through tough residue, moving soil up, over and out and stratifying soil particles.
In response to customer demand, Case IH has developed a new Earth Metal® blade¹ option for the True-Tandem 335VT. The longer-edge-life, 20-inch VT Wave Blade is a 5-mm thick blade available in single-fold models.
“Our industry-exclusive crimp center Earth Metal blades are engineered using a unique process and steel formula to prevent brittleness and elasticity, making blades stronger and more durable, which allows for the blade to penetrate hard, dry soils and break through surface compaction with ease. Plus, the new longer-edge-life blade option ensures the blades perform for multiple seasons,” Lursen said.
To learn more, visit caseih.com or your local Case IH dealer.
