PRACTICAL TEST: Ultra-shallow cultivators are currently the in-vogue tool for arable farmers to have — full width tilling for weed germination and incorporation without moving too much soil. Cobra is the Amazone solution. Here is our test on the 6.0m version.
There are plenty of things to consider when designing a shallow cultivator. Fully or semi-mounted? How many rows of tines are needed to move all of the soil without the risk of the machine becoming blocked with trash? Which tines to use? How much weight does it need without making it too heavy? Amazone has partly done its own thing with the Cobra.
Two working widths — for now
There are currently two semi-mounted Cobra working widths, 6.0m and 7.0m, while other sizes are being planned. There is a left and right wing with six rows of tines, although at first glance you may count eight, as there are two part rows to work the ground behind the running gear. At 65cm, the distance between the tine rows is comparable with the figure on other semi mounted shallow cultivators.
Starting at the front, the drawbar is well thought out, with the crossbar that locates in between the lift arms available in different sizes to suit various categories. Ours was Cat III on the test Cobra 6000-2TX.
Alternatively, there is a K80 spoon or ring hitch option, but we would stick with the lift arm version. We would certainly recommend adding the £658 hydraulic drawbar adjustment, as this makes it easier to unhitch the cultivator in the field, and it also allows the front of the cultivator to be raised in sync with the running gear at the headland. An extra traction booster set-up is available as an option.
For transport, you have to operate a ball valve on the drawbar ram — that’s fine. We also liked the hose rack, integrated parking stand and decal for the hydraulic functions on the drawbar. Even so we would prefer + and – symbols on the hoses ‘1’ and ‘2’.
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