The next evolutionary step in StripTill – one machine, more possibilites

HORSCH is considered to be the pioneer in the StripTill sector. Already since 2001 a lot of experience and knowledge have been gained in this sector with the Evo. With the Focus TD HORSCH in 2007 launched the first StripTill machine that for a lot of farmers was an attractive alternative and/or addition to the existing technology.

The new HORSCH Focus responds to the request and suggestions of the farmers and account for the agronomic findings of the past years. The objective still is to increase yields in climatically good years and to maintain them in climatically difficult and problematic years.

The new Focus generation is available in 4 and 6 m working width. This technology, thus, has become interesting to a wider range of farms as so far 6 m has been the smallest working width.

On the whole, the design of the machine is more compact and with a length of 9.56 m about 1.2 m shorter than before. In addition, the weight could be reduced – a fact that can be explained by the new plastic hoppers which have proven themselves in the Pronto and Sprinter SW machines. The hopper partition has been optimised, too: the capacity is still 5,000 l, but the partition has been changed to 60/40.

Specially for the Focus, HORSCH has further developed the TerraGrip tine to be able to place it in a horizontal position below the hopper. The tine height/frame height is 75 cm which corresponds to the Terrano FM. For the Focus the release forces have been increased to up to 800 kg, thus the tines move smoothly in the ground even when loosening very deeply. The tine spacing has been changed to 30 cm. Due to the narrower tine spacing in the tine section the sown field looks a field sown by a Pronto when for example sowing crops at a row spacing 15 cm. For rape sowing on the deep loosened area with a tine spacing of 30 cm is also very successful. Fertiliser can still be placed shallowly, deeply or 50/50.

The tine cultivation frame of the new Focus can be quickly and simply altered into a compact rotary disc harrow. This increases the flexibility of the machine with regard to the sowing window enormously. The DiscSystem mostly corresponds to the new Joker CT with a disc diameter of 52 cm. To change the tine frame it has to be released at four mounting points from the chassis, it is then taken out from under the machine. It is then replaced with the DiscSystem.

The leveling discs behind the tine frame/DiscSystem are hydraulically adjustable. Depending on the range of application they create ridges or level the soil.

The tyre packer is increased by 2 inches to 18 inches, thus reducing the horse power requirement of the Focus.

The last modification of the machine design concerns the seed bar. The seed bar, too, can be quite simply dismantled in only a few minutes and changed from a row spacing of 30 cm for rape to a seed bar with a row spacing of 15 cm for wheat. Seed placement is still carried out by the well-proven TurboDisc seed coulters of the Pronto range with their high coulter pressure and an optimum contour following ability of +/-15 cm.

The Focus can be linked to the tractor either via lower link or via adjustable drawbar. Depth control is adjusted with the solid and well-proven alu clips. The support wheels mounted on the tine frame guarantee an additional depth control and smooth running of the machine.