It's important for Producers to do their homework in order to make the right choice for a seedbed preparation system. With the volume of (often conflicting) information available on soil prep systems, it is easy to get confused.
After Harvest Fields may be left with excessive straw and chaff lying on top of the soil, particularly where crops were lodged. If the soil is excessively wet and has deep ruts left from the harvest operation, Producers have the added challenge of preparing the seedbed for the following seeding season.
The Compact Disk/Tandem Disk Implement is made up of opposing gangs of curved disks angled to the direction of travel that, when engaged, flip the soil, effectively blackening the field and removing ruts. Because the soil has been fully conditioned above the buried field residue, there is little resistance to prevent buried field residue from catching on a hoe opener, as well, coulter drills are prone to hair-pinning with the mat of buried field residue.
Vertical Tillage is generally described as a process of fracturing the soil with minimal horizontal movement. Heavy residue tends to be difficult to deal with as the straw will hair-pin in the cuts made by the implement, or wrap around the shanks. As well, little soil movement means little reduction of surface residue or field ruts.
With the Bourgault SPS365™ the sized residue has been well mixed into the worked soil prior to leveling and packing. A “wave” profile of unworked soil left by the shank openers provides additional support for seeding systems to maintain a consistent seed depth. In addition, a percentage of the previous year's root structure and stubble is preserved to protect young plants from erosion and wind damage.