KELLY-LOGO-2023

Tillaging Simplified: The Kelly Tillage Approach

tillaging-simplified-kelly-tillage-approach

Think of farming as a big jigsaw puzzle; tillaging the land is like finding the right piece that fits smoothly. The Kelly Tillage Approach is like discovering a straightforward path through a dense forest. 

Just as a GPS guides you on a road trip, this approach navigates farmers through the twists and turns of preparing soil for planting.

In this blog, we’ll explore this approach, peeling back its layers to reveal how it makes farming more productive and less complicated.

Tillaging Defined 

Tillaging is like giving the soil in your fields a good stir or mix. Imagine you have a big spoon, and you use it to turn over the soil. This helps to break up clumps of dirt, suppress weeds, mix in nutrients, and make the soil nice and fluffy.

It is done to prepare the soil for planting seeds or plants, making it easier for them to grow and for water and air to reach the roots.

It’s like fluffing up a pillow before you sleep on it – it makes the soil comfortable for plants to grow.

Tillaging a Farm Necessity

Tilling the soil is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps break up compacted soil, improving its aeration and drainage, which is essential for root growth and prevents waterlogging.

Secondly, it incorporates organic matter and nutrients into the soil, enhancing its fertility and providing essential elements for plant development. 

Thirdly, this farming technique disrupts weeds, pests, and disease organisms, reducing competition for resources and the risk of crop damage.

Finally, tillaging can improve seedbed preparation, promoting even germination and aiding in overall crop management. 

Tilling and Harrowing: A Winning Combo

Harrowing for tillaging has never been easier than with Kelly Tillage. Our commitment to quality shines through our innovative disc harrows designed specifically for shallow tilling. Embracing minimum tillage isn’t just about ease; it’s a sustainable farming practice that plays a vital role in preserving your precious soil.

By minimizing soil disturbance, we not only make the tilling process simpler, but we also help prevent erosion, ensuring that your land remains healthy and productive for years to come.

But why is minimum tillage such an essential approach in modern farming? It’s all about protecting the environment. By reducing soil disturbance, you keep beneficial microorganisms and soil structure intact, promoting healthier crop growth.

Additionally, this method helps to preserve moisture, reducing the need for excessive irrigation and saving you money in the long run. 

Achieving Tillaging Perfection with Kelly 

As earlier discussed Kelly Tillage disc harrows play an integral role in soil tillage. You might be interested in understanding how they accomplish this task. Here is the explanation to satisfy your curiosity.

Disk Harrow 6218 

The following are the main characteristics of this model:

Front Discs Move Soil Inward

The front discs are positioned to cut into the soil and push it inward toward the center of the harrow. This action breaks up the soil, making it easier to work and mix with other materials like organic matter.

Rear Discs Move Soil Outward

The rear discs move the tilled soil outward, spreading it evenly across the field. This feature helps to level the soil and create a more uniform surface, which is essential for planting and seeding.

Works Soil Around 2 Inches Deep

Tilling to a depth of around 2 inches is considered shallow tillage. Shallow tillage is ideal for preparing the seedbed and promoting seed germination, as it disrupts weed growth and improves soil aeration while conserving moisture in the subsurface layers.

Operates at 8-10 mph

The ability to operate at 8-10 miles per hour is indicative of the harrow’s efficiency and productivity. It allows for quicker soil preparation, which is essential for large-scale farming. The high-speed operation ensures that a significant area can be tilled in a relatively short time.

Weight Distribution

Its dual wheels distribute the weight more evenly across a wider area. This reduces the pressure applied to any single point on the soil, minimizing the risk of compacting the soil.

When the weight is evenly distributed, the harrow exerts less pressure, which is particularly important when working in moist or loamy soils prone to compaction.

Reduced Ground Pressure

The broader footprint created by dual wheels means that the pressure on the soil surface is less concentrated. Lower ground pressure is less likely to squeeze the air and moisture out of the soil particles, which is a common cause of compaction.

Disc Harrow 4012

Here, we outline the primary features of this model.

Front Pull Design for Tighter Turns

The front pull design allows the harrow to be pulled by a high-horsepower tractor. This suggests that it can cover a large area quickly and efficiently. When tilling soil, especially in large fields, this is crucial to save time and resources.

Front Wing Cylinders for Improved Protection

The fact that the front wing cylinders are situated inboard provides protection from potential damage. When tilling soil, the equipment may encounter rocks, roots, or other obstacles hidden beneath the surface.

The inboard placement of these cylinders shields them from accidental impacts, reducing the risk of costly repairs or downtime.

Model 4614 

This harrow exhibits the following key features:

Higher Underframe Clearance

Higher underframe clearance means that the harrow sits higher off the ground. This feature allows the harrow to navigate over rough and uneven terrain without getting stuck or damaged. 

It is particularly important for avoiding rocks, debris, and other obstacles in the soil that could hinder tilling.

The increased clearance ensures that the harrow can move smoothly through the field, making it more effective for breaking up and loosening the soil.

Outer Wing Dual Wheels

The optional outer wing dual wheels enhance flotation. Floatation is the ability of the harrow to “float” over the soil rather than sinking into it. This is particularly important in wet or soft soil conditions where traditional harrows might become stuck.

The dual wheels spread the weight of the harrow over a larger surface area, reducing ground pressure and preventing deep soil compaction.

High-Strength Frame

A reinforced high-strength frame is essential for tillaging. It enhances the durability and longevity of the harrow, ensuring that it can withstand the stresses of soil tilling.

This strong frame construction prevents the harrow from bending or breaking when encountering compacted or challenging soil conditions.

Benefits of Tillaging 

Here are the benefits of tilling the soil.

  1. Suppresses Weed 
  2. Balances Soil Moisture 
  3. Improves Soil Aeration 
  4. Enhances Seed-Soil Contact 
  5. Increases Water Absorption 
  6. Easy Way to get rid of Pests 
  7. Increase Soil Biodiversity 

Explore in detail: “Importance of Tillage” 

Tillaging Types 

The following are the main types of tillage:  

  • Conservation Tillage
    • Zone Tillage 
    • Strip-Till 
    • In-Row Subsoiling 
    • Mulch Tillage
    • Ridge Tillage 
    • Reduced Tillage 
  • Conventional Tillage
    • Primary Tillaging
    • Intensive Tillaging 

Explore in detail: “ Types of Tillage System

Final Words 

In conclusion, tillaging remains a practical method for modern farming, and the introduction of innovative technologies such as Kelly Tillage has significantly eased the burden on farmers.

With us, it is assured that the future of tillage is bright and promising which is beneficial for the benefit of both farmers and the environment.