The Kverneland Ecomat shallow plough range was launched several years ago, and has been available in eight to 10 furrow versions in furrow ploughing.
The company has now extended that range with smaller models suitable for in furrow use. The new versions are available in six, seven and eight furrow builds, suitable for lighter tractors
The Ecomat range was developed as another option for minimum disturbance seedbed preparation.
As a shallow plough, it still offers mechanical control of pests and weeds through soil inversion – reducing the reliance on chemical methods.
Soil structure
One of the big advantages of shallow ploughing, is that the soil structure below the plough depth remains undamaged, and there is a growing awareness that is that of critical importance in maintaining soil health.
A company spokesman explained that the Ecomat is a half-way house between a plough and a cultivator. The bodies still turn over the soil, but without needing to work as deep as a traditional plough.
Kverneland claims that it is achieving 95% inversion at a depth of 9cm, with an implement that is easier to pull than a traditional plough, an achievement that is rarely possible with a traditional cultivator.
The arrival of in-furrow models brings high-efficiency shallow ploughing to lower powered tractors.
Ecomat works at 6cm
Working depth can vary from 6cm to 18cm. Auto-rest leg protection is fitted as part of the standard specification, while a HD spring pack is available for tougher ground conditions.
The Ecomat range is available with plastic or steel bodies, furrow widths can be expanded from 25-45cm (10-18in) due to the fitting of a hydraulic variable width system .
This gives the in-furrow models a range of working widths from 1.5m up to 2.7m, on the six furrow version, from 1.75m up to 3.15m on the seven furrow, and from 2m up to 3.6m on the eight furrow model.
All in-furrow Ecomat models can be equipped with an integral Packomat press to consolidate the ploughed ground.
