Farm Machinery, Tillage

Agrowplow AP91 plough reaches new depths

The Agrowplow AP91 plough with upgraded design features for working at greater depths using less power has been released onto the Australian market.


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The unit has a new shank assembly design and shallow leading tines that have been shown by a team at the West Australian Department of Agriculture and Food to produce better ploughing results.

The department’s studies showed that the benefits of deep ripping, from 35cm to 50cm down, can last up to three seasons, and up to 10 seasons on farm operations using controlled traffic systems in light sand.

Agrowplow principal Shannon McNab says the Agrowplow AP91 has been developed to meet demand for a machine that can plough at greater depths than most.

“With the AP91 we feel we have a product with a lot of modern features not available on other ploughs,” he says.

The machine features a single row of shallow leading tines working in-line and ahead at depths of up to 450mm.

“This reduces the draft force required by the following deep rip tines, set to penetrate up to 60cm,” McNab says.

“The research shows that this complementary in-line tine system reduces the tractor power needed to tow an implement by up to 18 percent.”

The first AP91 has now been delivered to a West Australian grain farm, where it has been trialled against Agrowplow’s previous model.

“The farm manager was impressed with the innovative features and performance of the new unit and said the blades were still looking as good as new after ripping 450ha,” McNab says.

The new AP91 model makes ripping simpler and smarter for the farmer, according to McNab.

“Deep ripping lifts and shatters hard-pan under the soil, allowing better moisture penetration and plant roots to access minerals, moisture and nutrients,” he says.

AP91 models are available in 6m, 9m and 12m widths and require tractors with at least 300hp, or more, depending on the soil type to be worked.

The No.9 shank assembly design features a scissor action and full-frame height shank extension.

“If the shank hits a rock or other obstacle it can’t destroy, the shank breaks back until level with the frame in a radial motion that allows the material to flow under the machine safely — without attaching and damaging the shank or the assembly frames,” McNab says.

It features a new level lift system and wings that are able to float up 20 degrees or down 10 degrees up, to follow ground contours.

Other new features include a clip-on No.9 blade system, which allows speedy fitting or replacement of the tips on the ends of the tines, and specially designed clips behind the boots to hold them in place, with no need to belt each boot on with a hammer. 

 

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