UAB Laumetris makes and sells mounted and trailed stubble ploughs with a working width from 2 to 6 metres, suitable for combination with tractors of various power. These stubble ploughs, during one pass, till the soil surface completely, cut plant remains and insert them into the soil along with weed seeds. The rollers at the rear end densify the soil, thus improving capillary irrigation of the upper layer. This induces the decomposition of plant remains, the germination of weed seeds and later introduced crop seeds.
The most popular depth of tilling the soil in Europe is 10cm. Deep insertion of dropped grains and weed seeds disturbs their germination. Therefore, after harvesting, the stubble is first tilled at the depth of 8-10cm. Then, when the seeds of crop plants and weeds germinate (after 10-12 days), a second tilling is performed. The soil must be tilling right after grain harvesting. Each wasted hour means tonnes of water evaporating from the ground through the opened pores of the stubble. In order to achieve good decomposition of the straw, which is generated by tilling, the machine has to chop it to 40-50mm pieces and spread evenly on the field. Bad cutting and spreading reduces the intensity of straw decomposition and forms preconditions for the circulation of plant diseases.
Mounted stubble ploughs with arrow-type ploughshares, produced by UAB Laumetris, can be used in heavy and light soils. They insert plant remains and seeds superbly, level the soil surface well. The operating parts of the stubble ploughs are: arrow-type ploughshares, discs, crumbler rollers.
The arrow-type ploughshares cut through the upper layer of the soil surface. The width of the ploughshares varies from 250 to 350mm. The narrower a ploughshare, the better loosening of the soil is achieved. Arrow-type ploughshares are attached to spring supports. During operation, the supports act as dampers, cleaning themselves from plant remains and protecting the arrow-type ploughshares from hits against stones. The ploughshares are arranged in four rows. The distances between the adjacent rows are 800mm, between the adjacent supports – 800mm, between steps – 220mm, there is an overlap of 20mm. Such large gaps prevent the structure from clogging, even in damp conditions. The arrangement of the ploughshares allows to cut the surface of the soil evenly at the constant depth, sever the roots of weeds and perform mixing. Our stubble ploughs use easily-replaceable ploughshares (changing all the ploughshares takes 20 minutes). This allows to save time. The depth of the arrow-type ploughshares is adjusted by means of pulling rods in the range between 50mm and 200mm.
The discs cut, mix and turn over the separated layer of the soil. The discs are arranged in two rows at an appropriated angle, grouped into sections. They turn over the separated soil layer completely. The discs are made of wear-resistant steel; the diameter of a disc is 450mm, its thickness – 4mm. The working depth of the discs is regulated by an adjustment screw.
At the rear of the stubble plough there are rollers, which break up earth lumps, densify and level the soil surface. The rollers are selected depending on the condition of the soil – they can be of cage-type or conical disc-type. The depth of operating parts of a stubble plough is adjusted by screws separately for each section. The working speed of the implement is 10-12km/h.
UAB Laumetris also makes mounted stubble ploughs with a width of 2-4m. They are used with tractors of smaller power. The operating parts and the purpose such machines are similar to the ones of the above-described trailed stubble ploughs.
UAB Laumetris produces disc stubble plough as well. Their main working parts are soil leveller, discs, spring rods and rollers. These disc stubble ploughs allow a superb preparation of the soil surface. The discs, directed at an optimum angle, cut, mix and turn over the soil surface completely. The discs are arranged in two rows, they are attached to spring supports, acting as dampeners. The diameter of the discs is 510mm, their thickness is 5mm. The discs are made of wear-resistant steel, the working depth of separate sections is regulated by adjustment screws.
Spring rods, placed behind the discs, help to break up earth lumps and level the soil. The angle of the rods is adjustable.
The rollers, placed at the end of the disc stubble plough, finish the process of breaking up the lumps, densify and level the soil surface. The rollers can be easily exchanged, their type is chosen according to the soil surface.
When working on a ploughed soil, a soil leveller, placed at the front of the disc stubble plough, is used.
The working speed of the implement is 10-12 km/h.
Advantages of the disc stubble plough:
- Small required power.
- Great quality of insertion of plant remains.
- Possibility to work in damp weather conditions.