Enthusiasm for the mechanical weeding of crops has been less than overwhelming despite the amount of effort and expense that goes into it, yet some manufacturers like Pottinger take a longer term view and continue to back the idea.
In the case of the Austrian company, this is quite understandable – for finding an alternative to chemical control is a priority for farming, which still finds itself under pressure to reduce herbicide inputs.
Not having a range of sprayers to sell. Pottinger is quite free to explore and promote non-chemical answers to weed removal.
The company’s latest implement – a long tine harrow – demonstrates its commitment to this alternative.
New range from Pottinger
The product has been named the Tinecare V 12050 Master, with the 12 referring to its working width in metres. It joins the Rotocare and Flexcare as a new range in the company’s Crop Care portfolio.
According to Pottinger, the Tinecare is designed to control weeds and promote crop plant growth. It is suitable for weeding all standard tillage crops regardless of the sowing method, and can work in well-developed crop stands.
Pottinger notes that the action of the Tinecare is to cover the weeds with soil or dislodge their roots, leaving the seedling on the surface where it will be desiccated.
The manufacturer also suggests that the harrow be used as early as possible to give the crop the necessary growth advantage over weeds in the competition for light, water, and nutrients.
Range of adjustment
The harrow also allows for the stepless variation of the tines’ pressure between 500g and 6,000g without leaving the cab, thanks to its hydraulic adjustment feature.
The tine angle and underframe clearance can also be adapted to match the conditions found in each field. A gentle or aggressive action can be set depending on the stage of development of the plants and soil conditions.
The new Pottinger precision tine harrow is suitable for both conventional and organic farming and will be available from this coming September.
