Aug 17,2017 at 05:03 am By Admin - Rocks Gone
Come to the Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field days August 30th and 31st to see the debut of the DEPTH CHARGER.
The Depth Charger is a fully hydraulic roller-integrated deep ripper – ripping to a depth of 700mm.
The prototype is already proving its worth at North Kukerin, on sand over gravel duplex soils.
At a recent field walk, the benefits were clear visually. The roller-integrated ripper is based on the same concept as the Reefinator – the roller carries the weight of the machine, crushing softer gravel boondies and clay hardpan slabs, leaving a firm level seedbed; not a fluffy, lumpy mess.
Unlike a traditional deep ripper, plant establishment after using the Depth Charger is excellent, as shown in the test strips done with the prototype so far.
The Depth Charger is modular allowing for different set-ups. Options for delving, integrated leading tine, a rubber tyre roller for lighter sands, an end-on tow transport kit, as well as 6m and 3m width options. This allows the Depth Charger to be set-up for a variety of different soil types and needs.
The Depth Charger is an excellent option for farms which have never had deep tillage done before – for fear of the mess pulled up out of the depths. The integrated roller can handle decomposed stumps and softer gravel rocks. There is also a hydraulic breakout for any hidden sudden surprises.
The Depth Charger is not a Reefinator – more serious rock will need to be Reefinated first.
The roller is a fundamental part of the machine, not only to crush clods and to leave a firm level seedbed, but also to carry most of the weight of the machine, with some weight on the drawbar to increase traction to make it easier to pull.
The Depth Charger is a complete soil renovation system. It is designed to perform in a wide range of soil conditions, with the result being a trafficable seedbed. Soft, fluffy soil and its associated problems of accurate seed and fertilizer placement as well as soil displacement under the wheels and tracks of machinery are avoided.
This design eliminates the need for wheels. For transport, an optional wheel kit can be added, to tow the machine end-on. This means the design is not compromised by folding, resulting in a very heavy-duty machine.
The tines have a leading tine adaptor incorporated into the tine itself to make the ripper easier to pull. The tines are spaced at 428mm, so tines can also be lifted to leave 3 m CTF tracks un-ripped. The tines have a breakout of approximately 3000 kg.
