Published in The Weekly Times January 19, 2011
Written by Mark Saunders (Weekly Times)

WET conditions did not stop an Agrisem mulching and cultivating implement being demonstrated for the first time in Tasmania, last month.
 

 The team from Tasmania Farm Equipment, lead by Phillip Hubbard, review the 3M Disc-O-Mulch's excellent performance in trying conditions

The three-metre wide Agrisem Disc-O-Mulch was put through its paces on a property near Deloraine and, despite damp soil and a heavy crop stubble, the French-made implement did a good job, according to its importer, Derek Modra, from Farm Tech in Wodonga.

"It's designed to be used in drier conditions but, as it was the first time it had been out in Tasmania, we went ahead anyway," Derek said.

"It did a good job of incorporating the stubble into the soil and cultivating the ground."

Tasmania Farm Equipment general manager Phillip Hubbard was at the demonstration and said he was impressed with the Disc-O-Mulch's performance.

"The build quality is exceptional and the unique design of the tine assembly, which can move in three planes, provides an excellent shattering effect on the ground," Phillip said.

 

 Tony Brooks, Tasmania Farm Equipment, demonstrates just how wet it was. No other machine on the market could have performed in these conditions!

"The design means the tine can move up and down, back and forth and side to side and it did a superb job of incorporating the crop stubble into the soil despite it being quite wet.

"It broke the stubble down and also pulled the roots out of the ground, which is one of the main aims."

Phillip was also impressed with the weight of the machine.

"There is plenty of weight with the Disc-O-Mulch, which is what you want, and the levelling board, between the coulters and the rear crumble roller, also did a good job of helping break up soil and clods," Phillip said.

He said the Agrisem was working in quite wet conditions and, as on the mainland, Tasmania had been drenched with heavy rain since spring.

"The season is very late due to the rain and I expect hay will be made well into February the way we are going," he said.

"We usually start making silage in October but that's six weeks behind schedule now."

Derek said the patented spiral tine design of the Disc-O-Mulch was a feature of its operation.

"The 35mm double-spiral tine vibrates as the implement moves and helps shatter and break up the stubble," Derek said.

"In ideal conditions you can tow it at 12-20km/h."

Derek said a tractor with a 97kW engine would be the minimum required to haul the 3m Disc-O-Mulch.

Other implements in the Agrisem range include the Maxi-Mulch, Disc-O-Sem and Cultiplow 52.

Derek said the range provided a variety of ground preparation options, from discing to soil loosening.

The Cultiplow is available up to 6m working width while the Disc-O-Mulch can be up to 12m in width.

For more details, phone Farm Tech on 1800 880 802.