It may not be as ubiquitous as it once was, but there is still a place for the plough on farms, providing a full reset of problem fields or avoiding the crossover of pests and diseases. With ever-tighter weather windows, we look at the flagship models turning soil over at pace.
AgriHire
The only British-manufactured plough on the market, the Hubert range consists of four fully mounted models – the 2105MA, 2141MA, 2145MA and 2170MA.
All are constructed using high-tensile Swedish steel for the main beams, with one-piece leg carriers, fabricated headstocks. Manual furrow width adjustable and shearbolt protection complete these units.
Hubert ploughs use time-proven Dowdeswell-designed and specified wearing parts and can be specified with UCN, SCN, D-Slatt, DD or DDS bodies, working with the same suppliers.
This means these Dowdeswell parts are designed and manufactured in the same factory as in previous generations.
This has allowed older Dowdeswell ploughs to remain operational as AgriHire/Hubert are also producing and supplying parts for these machines, available through AgriHire’s parts department
Two models sit at the top of the range. The bestselling 2145MA is a heavy-duty machine, capable of in-furrow or on-land ploughing and suitable for tractors up to 600hp.
It is available in five- to eight-furrow variants, with a point-to-point clearance of 91.5cm and 76cm of underbeam clearance.
The 2170MA is a heavy-duty on-land plough suitable for tractors up to 600hp and is available with between seven and 10 furrows. It features the same point-to-point clearance as the 2145MA.
For in-furrow operations for tractors up to 600hp, AgriHire also offers the 2141MA, available in five-, six-, seven- and eight-furrow variants.
Amazone
First launched in 2021, Amazone has updated the Tyrok 400 semi-mounted plough to offer in-furrow and on-land ploughing. Suitable for tractors up to 400hp, the models are available with seven, eight or nine furrows.
A major advantage of on-land ploughing is the reduced soil pressure due to the large contact area afforded by wide tractor tyres and the possibility to work at reduced tyre pressures.
Furthermore, it provides more efficient power transmission, as well as enabling the accurate use of GPS systems.
The Tyrok Onland is constructed with a high-tensile steel rectangular beam (200x150x10mm) for a high level of rigidity.
According to the company, the rectangular beam does not bend, even in tough conditions, allowing for consistent working depths.
It is also fitted with SmartTurn, which slows the fast turnover procedure just before the end to dampen the stresses on the plough structure when the cylinder is retracted.
In the Onland working mode, the beam is retracted before the turnover process to reduce the forces on both the plough and the tractor.
The SpeedBlade plough body, with an extra-large front shin on the mouldboard, minimises wear on the shin, shifting the main wear point further back to the centre of the plough when the working speed is increased to about 8kph. As a result, the main wear point is kept away from the mouldboard.
The Tyrok Onland is equipped with mechanical furrow width adjustment as standard, with the option of an infinitely variable system.
Kuhn Farm Machinery
Kuhn’s Multi-Leader XT plough range has received several updates to improve output and maximise tractor power.
It is available as on-land or in-furrow variants, with seven to nine bodies depending on requirements, and the models are aimed at users covering large acreages and a variety of soil types.
A tilt correction system has been introduced to align the working angle of the plough. This reportedly cuts fuel use, lowers wheel slip and minimises wear on the plough.
The system uses GPS to ensure the pull line is the most efficient by constantly adjusting the working width to maintain performance.
A Z-beam construction accommodates a 1,200x500mm wheel position in the main beam for a more compact design, while a bevelled rear extension cuts risk when tightly ploughing near fences and hedges.
Press arms are available for both plough formats and the new beam design allows presses to work to the edge of the field and maintain a safe position for road transport when folded.
Introduced in 2012, the range is available in seven, eight or nine furrows with widths from 350mm to 500mm.
It features a 180x180mm beam and is a semi-mounted single-wheel unit for large-scale arable farms and contractors running tractors up to 405hp.
As standard, users can adjust levelling, offset, depth and skimmers, via Kuhn’s 3D Skim system, all without the need for tools.
Fitting Kuhn’s wearing parts can increase longevity of key components by 20%, and eight times for parts with the Durakarb range.
Kverneland
Sitting at the top of the Kverneland range is the RN, PN and RW semi-mounted ploughs.
Both the RN and PN are available with seven, eight or nine furrows, with the former fitted with shearbolt protection and the latter featuring auto-reset legs.
Furrow widths can be set to 35cm, 40cm or 45cm, with manual adjustment, mounted on a 120x200mm frame or a 200x200mm frame for HD models.
The on-land variant can also plough in the furrow if required, while in-furrow models are available with a retrofit kit to switch to on-land ploughing.
The flagship RW can have up to 12 furrow bodies, with inter-body clearance of 100cm.
Uniquely, to fit the large amount of furrows Kverneland has created a train of sorts, with an RW semi-mounted, eight-furrow plough hooked up to the tractor, with a four-furrow LB mounted plough hitched at the rear.
This can be further added to with a Packomat consolidating roller.
Furrow width can be adjusted from 35cm up to 50cm, either through a manual system or the hydraulic Vari-Width.
Like the previous model, the RW can be upgraded from shearbolt protection to auto-reset legs with the PW model. Isobus models are available with the FurrowControl system, which helps ensure straight furrows, as well as offering simple, in-cab control of different hydraulic functions.
Lemken
Lemken says more people are looking to the plough for a chemical-free way to control weeds and break the chain of disease.
Sitting at the top of the company’s range is the Diamant 16, with an OF version that can work both in the furrow and on land for maximum versatility.
As part of the OF package, customers can specify a mechanical draw point height adjustment system. This allows a precise load transfer to the rear axle of the tractor, minimising slip.
When using crawler tracks, the draw point is set very low to ensure that even loads are applied to the tracks.
As an option, the company offers a traction booster comprising an additional hydraulic cylinder that transfer weight to the tractor’s back axle.
This “smart ballasting” system reduces slip and therefore saves fuel. As soon as the hydraulic system raises the plough frame via the transport wheel, the pressure in the traction booster is automatically reduced to ensure that full tractor stability is always maintained.
As soon as the transport wheel is lowered, pressure is automatically increased again.
Additionally, the Diamant range boasts a large clearance between the plough headstock and tractor and permits a steering angle of up to 90deg.
The transport wheel is automatically controlled during plough rotation, which allows easy, rapid turning, even on narrow headlands. This is also effective in hilly or difficult terrain.
Further options include a choice of bodies and skimmers, auto-reset options for stony soils and the ability to combine the VarioPak furrow press range.
Maschio Gaspardo
As well as announcing that it would work with Grégoire Besson to increase the availability of the French manufacturer’s ploughs, cultivators and wearing parts across the UK, Maschio Gaspardo UK offers its own range of ploughs.
The portfolio tops out with the Unico Max semi-mounted model, available with between six and nine furrows and suitable for tractors between 220hp and 500hp.
The modular build means the same 160x160mm box frame is used on all models, regardless of the amount of furrows, with bolt-on connection plates used to add on the seventh, eighth and ninth bodies.
The plough can also be upgraded to an HD version, with reinforced plates at the beam mounting and larger cross-sections used in the construction.
The working width can be adjusted using one of two systems, with manual adjustment using the Passo bolt method, or the non-stop hydraulic Vario system.
Shearbolt protection is standard, with the option of the NSH active safety system which hydraulically pre-charges the plough bodies and lifts them out of work upon impact before returning them to work.
Customers can choose between an in-furrow or on-land version of the Unico Max. The latter adds a 300mm-wide front wheel, enabling the machine to follow ground contours and maintain a consistent working depth.
Ovlac
Now distributed in the UK by Opico, Spanish manufacturer Ovlac has been building ploughs for more than 75 years.
The company offers three ranges in the UK: the Classic reversible range (three to five furrows), the Xperience reversible range (four to seven furrows, with on-land and in-furrow models) and the Mini Shallow Plough range (5-13 furrows, mounted and semi-mounted).
Looking at the flagship series, the Xperience is broken up into the 130-series, 150-series and 170-series, making it possible to find the ideal solution for the horsepower you have available and the soil conditions.
The 130-series is available in either four or five furrows (rated up to 200hp), the 150-series is a higher-strength plough, again available in four- or five-furrow configurations and is rated up to 225hp, while the 180-series is available as a five-, six- or seven-furrow machine.
The range-topping mounted plough is rated up to 300hp.
XP models (XPF and XPH) feature manual adjustment, with four different working widths achieved in 5cm increments. XP-V (XPFV and XPHV) variants come with the Varilabor variable working width adjustment as standard.
This allows the working width to be hydraulically adjusted from the tractor cab from 30-50cm per body, depending on model.
Models also include an oscillating cross-shaft headstock, allowing the plough to move freely from a central pivoting point in the cross-shaft and find the true pull line.
According to Ovlac, this significantly reduces strain on the whole plough and fuel use, and enables the operator to plough around headlands and irregularly shaped fields, which increases daily output.
Pöttinger
Continuing to develop its plough range, Pöttinger recently launched the Servo 4000 mounted series, rated to 360hp available from four to six furrows.
The flagship Servo T 6000 semi-mounted is rated to 500hp and is available in formats of up to nine furrows.
Both ranges offer shear bolt, hydraulic reset (Nova), hydraulic vari-width (Plus) and Plus Nova models.
The 4000-series offers a point-to-point spacing of 95cm with an underbeam clearance of 80cm, while the 6000-series provides an interbody distance of 102cm.
These clearances ensure trouble-free ploughing when operating in heavy trash conditions or incorporating cover crops.
With the optional on-land ploughing package on the Servo T 6000, the company states that not only is the power transmitted to the ground effectively, but the soil is conserved due to the large contact area, minimising harmful compaction in deeper soil layers.
Likewise, it eliminates the risk of smearing the bottom of the furrow due to wheel slip from tractor tyres in the furrow. This prevents compaction, promotes crop root growth and soil life, and ensures access to water and nutrients.
Pöttinger offer a wide range of mouldboard designs, however the 46Wc has become the most popular in recent years, it states.
The carburised mouldboards include highly wear-resistant surfaces for maximum service life, providing good tilth, with low draft in loam, clay and light soil types.
This body is ideal for high working speeds and ensures excellent turning of the furrow ridge.
SMS
The product offering from Czech manufacturer SMS CZ has been expanded with a completely new machinery segment.
The Infinite plough series features four models, available in four-furrow, four + one, five-furrow and five + one configurations.
The 140x140x10mm frame is reinforced to work in tough conditions, with interbody clearance of 100cm and underbeam clearance of 80-82cm.
Recommended tractor power runs from 160hp for the Infinite 4, to just under 190hp for the Infinite 4+1 and 5 models and 215hp for the Infinite 5+1.
As standard, the furrows are protected by a shearbolt or can be upgraded to a sprung system. The working width for each furrow is 35cm, 41cm or 47cm, with the option to mechanically change the width of the first furrow.
Five types of mouldboard are available, made from 8mm-thick steel on solid units and 10mm thick for slatted.
Depending on the mouldboards chosen, the ploughing depth can be as much as 40cm.
The slatted model is best suited to sandy soils, reportedly reducing fuel consumption by 20%, but SMS will also offer a cylindrical solid body alongside the standard solid mouldboard.
Infinite ploughs can be equipped with a range of accessories, including skimmers for work in heavy residues, or a rolling coulter for cutting the soil at the last furrow.