Schulte releases new THX series till harrows
Glacier FarmMedia – Schulte Industries, which specializes in rotary cutters and rock and snow removal equipment, is rolling out two new additions to its THX till harrow lineup: the THX-360 and THX-600.
It’s promoting the set as a strong crop residue management system.
“The concave discs engage the ground, sizing the straw and mixing the chaff within the top layer of soil,” reads Schulte’s product spec sheet.
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“The heavy harrow evenly distributes, levels and breaks up residue that is discharged by the concave discs.”
Why it Matters: Good crop residue management can minimize soil erosion, conserve moisture, return nutrients and set producers up for higher yields.
Aside from the working width difference (the THX-360 is 36 feet versus the THX-600’s 60 feet), the two models differ by transport length (33.5 feet for the 360 and 45 feet for the 600), weight (25,000 lb. and 34,000 lb., respectively) and the number of harrow sections (three and five).
Both machines have the same transport width (15.25 feet) and transport height (15 feet).
The disc system features individually mounted, 20-inch, notched, serrated concave disc blades spaced on 8.5-inch centres in a single row.
“(The blades) are pitched at a fixed 10-degree angle for maximum cutting of crop residue in high-yielding crops such as wheat, barley, canola and lentils,” Mike Siroski, Saskatchewan and U.S. territory manager for Schulte, wrote in an email.
These are followed by a harrow finishing system sporting five bars of 5/8- by 26-inch (with tip) heavy harrow tines. The harrow angle is adjustable from 35 to 90 degrees.
Finishing is controlled by either standard spring down pressure or optional electronic-over-hydraulic with in-cab monitor, which controls the float option as well as the down and up pressure “to remove pressure in challenging field conditions.”
Disc depth control is enabled by an adjustable slide mounted on the rear. The tine coils are built to get larger toward the outside of the harrow to reduce stress during field operation.
Both models require seven to nine horsepower per foot width to operate at an optimal level.
The machines’ main frames are made from 12- by 12-inch, 3/8-inch-thick tubing.
Schulte claims this makes the unit more robust by providing the necessary weight to make the discs “extremely effective.”
The new THXs also include a hydraulic lock for the wing tension links, which the company describes as preferable to cables.
“Cables stretch and can catch on things and inadvertently open the lock during operation. The hydraulic actuated lock eliminates all those issues and incorporates a lock pin to prevent inadvertent actuation of the cylinder during field operation,” says Schulte.
The new THX models also feature:
- 560/45 22.5 radial tires.
- Hubs 8 bolt — 10,000 lb.
- Main boom tubing measuring 12-inch by 12-inch by 3/8-inch.
- Four hydraulic outlets.
- Safety lighting and slow-moving vehicle standard.
Siroski says the THX models will roll out worldwide with a focus on the Prairie provinces.
Source: producer.com