ROLLER OFFERS COMPLETE CONSERVATION
Arable farmers can achieve optimal moisture conservation and crop emergence by running Simba Consolidation Systems’ CC Roller on its own as a Cambridge Roll.
In this application the CC Roller has a major advantage over conventional Cambridge Rolls because its rubber carcase flexes slightly when contacting and releasing from contact with the soil so it ‘runs clean’ and can be used straight after the drill, rather than having to wait until the surface has dried enough to prevent soil picking up on it: The CCR can also be used as the rear roller behind a range of cultivators:
“Swift, effective consolidation of drilled ground is essential to minimise moisture loss, optimise soil to seed and root contact, to establish the right seedbed structure to assist drainage and water infiltration and minimise soil erosion risks”, says Colin Adams, General Manager of Simba’s Components Division.
“The CCR can run straight behind the drill and on freshly cultivated soil, which ensures these aims are met, whereas a conventional Cambridge Roll might struggle to do this because it will tend to pick up freshly worked soil”.
Durable rubber teeth are fitted to the rings, which press small divots in cultivated soil that act as reservoirs and prevent water running laterally across the surface. These teeth are mounted on blocks inside the carcase that – when the roller contacts the soil – press a saucer-shaped depression around the central divot, which funnels water from a wider area towards it.
Consequently the roller helps protect the vast majority of the soil surface against lateral water movement, which prevents soil erosion and removal of soil, nutrients and residual chemicals. Importantly these divots have been found to have no effect on crop emergence in extensive field trials. Plants even emerge straight through them.
The roller leaves a well-levelled surface by smashing clods or pressing them into the seedbed, which helps pre-emergence herbicide applications to be effective as the entire surface is covered and there is minimal chance of areas being left untreated. Stones are also pushed down into the seedbed, which assists harvesting.
The weight applied by the CCR when run as a Cambridge Roll can be raised to cope with tough working conditions. All models are made in three sections and fold to 2.5m width for transport.
The 6.5m model weighs between 2,400 kgs – 3,400 kgs and requires between 80hp and 100hp; the 7.4m version weighs between 2,700 kgs – 3,700 kgs and needs 90hp – 110hp, while the 8.3m model weighs between 3,000 kgs - 4,000 kgs and needs 100hp – 120hp.