Rippa tears through sub-surface compaction

Potato growers who need to loosen and aerate compacted soils ahead of planting are the target market for SW Agriservices' Sumo Rippa sub-surface cultivator, to be launched at LAMMA 2004 in time for the planting season.

Designed to work down to 14-16in deep to remove plough pan compaction, the Rippa is currently available in 3m 11-leg and 4m 15-leg versions, the latter with the option of folding wings. Further units of 5- and 6m are planned, and the line may be developed to include an 8m model suited to the latest generation of tractors up to 500hp.

"Growers have traditionally used the heavy-duty chisel plough type of cultivator from the 1970s for this task, but most units have frames and legs that are now too old or worn to be serviceable," points out Sumo MD Shaun Wealleans.

After a wet 2004 season, compaction problems caused by traffic and heavy rainfall on land destined for potatoes in 2005 are likely to be more severe than for a number of years, he believes.

"The Rippa's tine design means it will do a more thorough job than those older implements, bringing up wet soil from just below the surface to dry it before work begins with bed-formers or tillers."

All versions use three rows of 700mm long legs manufactured from 30mm thick steel. These are shearbolt-protected, with a carrier for spare bolts mounted on the implement's headstock. The legs are mounted on a 150mm x 100mm x 100mm hot-formed steel frame, claimed to be stronger than comparable units made from conventional cold-rolled material, with the front row also incorporating a pair of pneumatic-tyred depth wheels regulated by a simple pin system. Points fitted as standard are 80mm units, and are angled at 45o to produce an upward soil movement.

Sumo fits Cat. III linkage pins to the smaller models, while the larger 6- and 8m versions will be fitted with Cat. IV units as standard. The firm suggests that a tractor around 130hp is needed ahead of the smallest Rippa, with prices starting at £4,148 for the 3m, 11-leg version. The 4m rigid model costs from £4,976.