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Sunflower Rolls Out Vertical-Tillage Tool

AGCO has introduced the all-new Sunflower 6630 vertical-tillage system to cut through tough residue and open cold, wet soils to the sun's warming action for earlier planting.

“Vertical tillage is an increasingly popular practice used today to overcome cold, damp soil conditions and the tough structure and sheer volume of today’s crop residues," says Larry Kuster, AGCO senior marketing specialist. "The process of combining vertical surface tillage and residue control allows producers to get into the field sooner in the spring so they can take advantage of a full growing season."

Kuster says the Sunflower 6630 is designed to establish an ideal field surface by sizing and mixing plant residues with the upper layers of the soil profile. This allows the soil to absorb sunlight and evenly warm the upper 2 to 3 inches of soil so crops can begin growing early and achieve their maximum potential.

A primary feature of the Sunflower 6630 is its patent-pending SoilRazor VT disc blades, Kuster says. The blades’ unique fluted wave pattern design easily cuts through tough residue and efficiently penetrates the soil.

"The 22-inch blades are set at an 18-degree gang angle to mix residues with just the right amount of soil, providing an ideal crop bed," Kuster says. "As these innovative, stay-sharp disc blades wear down, the V2” groove will shift, thus allowing the hill of the blade to become the valley and the valley to become the hill.

"This shift enables the blade to maintain its sharp edge and still cut residue long after other vertical-tillage coulters have become dull."

Front and rear gangs are offset, allowing the front gang to provide an even, clean cut the entire width of the machine, Kuster says. Meanwhile, the rear gang feathers and levels the soil — unlike heads-up or end-to-end gang placement, which can leave an uncut ridge of soil and create a ridge/valley effect.

Available in five models ranging from 21 to 32 feet wide, the 6630 Series has low horsepower requirements, yet can be operated at up to 8 mph. As a result, it allows growers to cover more acres with less fuel, helping increase return on investment in both time and dollars, Kuster adds.