SRC & SRC SmartSteer™ Inter-Row Cultivator

INTER-ROW CULTIVATION. MORE THAN JUST WEED CONTROL.

The New Holland SRC and SRC SmartSteer™ inter-row cultivators offer an eco-friendly approach to managing weeds in row crops, bringing potential advantages such as increased crop productivity and lower agricultural upkeep expenses. During operation, the cultivators' tines function at a shallow depth between the crop rows, gently removing weeds from the soil. This gentle cultivation process has added positive effects. In wet conditions, the loosely tilled soil structure aids in drainage and facilitates better water movement within the soil. In arid conditions, the lightly tilled surface above the root zone helps in preserving soil moisture and reducing the risk of extensive cracks in the subsoil. This aids in minimizing moisture loss, especially from the root zone, and safeguards nutrients from being washed away during heavy rainfall. Moreover, the light inter-row soil cultivation fosters an environment conducive to beneficial microorganisms and earthworms, ultimately enhancing the overall health of the soil.

SUSTAINABLE INTER-ROW CULTIVATION AND WEED CONTROL

New Holland SRC and SRC SmartSteer™ inter-row cultivators are designed for effective cultivation between crop rows. These cultivators help control weed growth and reduce herbicide use, cutting overall growing costs and enhancing environmental sustainability. The SRC range is available in 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, and 18-row configurations, while the SRC SmartSteer™ models, which feature camera guidance, come in 8, 12, 16, and 18 rows. Both types include options with 3 or 5 tines, tailored for crops such as beet, maize, and sunflowers. The 3-tine models are suited for rows of 40-50 cm, and the 5-tine units are designed for wider 60-75 cm rows. All models can be hydraulically folded to a transport width of no more than 3 meters.

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Vibrating tines

Three-tine cultivators are equipped with a patented VCO tine, which features a low disturbance tip and a 2-degree attack angle, making it ideal for working at shallow depths. The VCO tine effectively uproots weeds with minimal lateral soil displacement.

Five-tine models use Universal tines, which have an 8-degree attack angle and are versatile enough for a variety of soil types and conditions. The vibrating action of these tines lifts and shakes weeds from the soil, removing soil from their roots to encourage rapid dieback and prevent regrowth. This cultivation action also helps break up soil capping and shallow panning, improving soil aeration, enhancing airflow to crop roots, and promoting better moisture retention.

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Stabilising disc

Stabilizing discs ensure that the cultivator tracks evenly behind the tractor, providing improved stability on uneven terrain and when navigating corners. This design helps operators maintain a consistent forward speed while minimizing the risk of the cultivator veering off course.

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Contour following

The tine banks are mounted on a quad-link parallelogram system. In the curved arm models, a hydraulic cylinder is used for optional section control and is also connected to the folding mechanism, though it remains freely floating during operation. The straight arm design also features a freely floating mechanism. This setup ensures that the working depth of each row unit stays consistent across the entire width of the cultivator, even on variable and sloping ground. The suspension links are highly robust to prevent any lateral movement of the tines.

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Precision depth control

Each tine bank's depth is controlled by an integral depth wheel equipped with a puncture-proof tire measuring 290 mm by 100 mm. The working depth can be adjusted up to 70 mm using a manual winding handle.

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Fine tune your row width

Each unit is attached to the main frame using a swallow tail clamp, which, along with lateral tine adjustment, allows for precise tuning to align with your row spacing and crop growth stage.

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Rolling shields

Concave rolling shields, positioned between each unit, manage soil and weed displacement while protecting young plants from being covered. Each shield can be individually engaged or disengaged based on the plant growth stage.

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Star weeders

Star-shaped weeder units are available as an option. They feature individual soft fingers that can be adjusted to work near the edges of the crop, targeting weeds missed by the vibrating tines. For SRC models with 45-50 cm row spacing, a 290 mm weeder is available, while a larger 370 mm version is offered for row spacings of 60-75 cm. Additionally, a rear finger harrow can be specified.

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GUARANTEED ACCURACY WITH CAMERA GUIDANCE AND GPS SECTION CONTROL

SRC SmartSteer™ inter-row cultivators follow the same operational principles as the SRC models and are available in 8, 12, 16, or 18-row configurations. The SRC SmartSteer™ utilizes camera guidance technology to enhance working precision and productivity, while reducing the operator’s workload. GPS section control ensures complete field coverage, effectively eliminating weed patches and leading to healthier plants per hectare.

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Hydraulic side-shift frame

SRC SmartSteer™ models are equipped with a side-shift frame that adjusts the lateral position of the cultivator to maintain proper alignment between the rows and accommodate sudden tractor movements. This frame is controlled through a terminal that receives signals from the New Holland SmartSteer™ camera.

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New Holland SmartSteer™ camera

The SRC SmartSteer™ camera uses color contrast between the crop and soil (standard 2D mode) to identify crop rows. It sends signals to the SRC terminal, which processes this information to adjust the side-shift frame. The camera connects to an intuitive touchscreen monitor for easy user interaction.

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2D or 3D mode choice

An optional 3D Professional mode allows the camera to detect both colour and height, enhancing its ability to follow the crop row accurately even in areas with varying weed contamination.

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Proportional corrections

3D Professional mode also provides proportional control of the side-shift frame hydraulics. This feature ensures smoother side-shift corrections by adjusting the hydraulic flow proportionally, resulting in more fluid and precise machine movements during operation.

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ISOBUS section control

The section control option can automatically lift each individual row unit, enabling precise operation alongside crop rows, such as when working at an angled headland. This helps avoid damage to healthy standing crops while eliminating uncultivated headland patches where weeds might otherwise thrive. The system can be managed through GPS and ISOBUS or integrated third-party systems connected to the unit's controller.