Weaving Machinery’s new CropChop knife roller is designed to bruise and crush plants, when drilling through dense cover crops and standing crop residues. Comprising two 380mm-diameter rollers fitted with steel blades, the staggered configuration provides minimal movement of soil and weed seeds complementing direct drilling systems. The implement flattens and crushes the standing canopy helping to prevent moisture loss in the seed bed which, says Weaving, can be a problem in seed establishment in dry conditions. Chopped leaf matter is integrated into the seedbed, and the CropChop is flagged up as an effective tool for organic and traditional farming methods reducing the need for chemical desiccation.
Standard features include a self-aligning steering frame combined with a steering damper, which stabilise the machine and provide equal pressure across the entire working width. Available in either 3.0m rigid or 4.0m hydraulic folding models, the CropChop can be used as a front or rear mounted implement. 3.0m prices start from £3,800 (+ VAT), and the machine launches at LAMMA.
