The Väderstad TopDown cultivator gets a new update for the 2024 field season, including a new design and the introduction of Väderstad E-Control, an iPad-based control system. Additionally, the cultivator will be able to apply prescription map tillage through ISOBUS Task Control.
The next step after variable rate application of seed and fertilizer is to apply the same thinking to tillage. Here savings wait to be unleashed using the rule “as much as necessary, as little as possible”. Some of the benefits come as diesel savings and improved soil health, others by the ability to increase the working speed as well as reducing the wear. In addition, this enables an autonomous farming future.
Most fields have a variation of soil conditions within their boundaries. Heavier soils often mean challenges in creating a seedbed, while some lighter soils tend to self- compact, calling for a more intensive tillage. Today all soil types on a field are often being worked the same way. By adapting the tillage to the soil condition there is a possibility to save diesel while achieving the same yield.
Soil should neither be worked too much or too little. By adapting the tillage to the actual needs, we make sure to disturb the soil as little as possible. This minimizes the possible negative impacts of tillage, such as carbon losses, moisture evaporation and erosion.
On many fields there is soil compaction of some degree. The problem is that it is seldom evenly distributed. Many times, it is limited to the headlands and tramlines. By increasing the cultivation intensity only on problem areas, the rest of the field can be worked using less fuel.
More residues generally mean a need for more working depth to incorporate them properly. Adapting the working depth to a yield map, enables a better germination and a more even crop.
By adapting the reconsolidation pressure according to the working depth, soil type or moisture content in the soil the following crop is guaranteed the best possible growth conditions.
Most fields have a variation of soil conditions within their boundaries. Heavier soils often mean challenges in creating a seedbed, while some lighter soils tend to self- compact, calling for a more intensive tillage. Today all soil types on a field are often being worked the same way. By adapting the tillage to the soil condition there is a possibility to save diesel while achieving the same yield.
Soil should neither be worked too much or too little. By adapting the tillage to the actual needs, we make sure to disturb the soil as little as possible. This minimizes the possible negative impacts of tillage, such as carbon losses, moisture evaporation and erosion.
On many fields there is soil compaction of some degree. The problem is that it is seldom evenly distributed. Many times, it is limited to the headlands and tramlines. By increasing the cultivation intensity only on problem areas, the rest of the field can be worked using less fuel.
More residues generally mean a need for more working depth to incorporate them properly. Adapting the working depth to a yield map, enables a better germination and a more even crop.
By adapting the reconsolidation pressure according to the working depth, soil type or moisture content in the soil the following crop is guaranteed the best possible growth conditions.
Using the iPad-based control system Väderstad E-Control, the operator will also be able to gain full control of the machine directly from the tractor cab. With a touch of a button, the driver can set the individual working depth or intensity of the discs, shanks, levellers, or packer on the go. To assist the field work, four pre-set buttons can be used to store different machine configuration
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"By being able to vary the working depth of the machine, I can see a benefit in being more efficient in regard to time, fuel cost and the biggest thing to me is not overworking our biggest asset – which are our soils. Having that control with the E-Services is perfect for our business."
Jamie Robson
Thoresby Farming, UK
The introduction of E-Services on TopDown and Opus makes the machines able to use prescription maps, to control the machine setting automatically on the go using a field map.
Using the iPad-based control system Väderstad E-Control, the operator will also be able to gain full control of the machine directly from the tractor cab. With a touch of a button, the driver can set the individual working depth or intensity of the discs, shanks, levellers, or packer on the go.
"We have seen a demand from farmers to optimize the tillage operation even further. By being able to adjust the machine setting to the conditions on the field, it is possible to optimize the agronomy and working results. The introduction of E-Services to TopDown and Opus is the key to this."
Wolfram Hastolz
Director Tillage Product Management, Väderstad
