Kverneland relaunches on weed control
Following the acquisition of BC Technique in early 2023, Kverneland Group has been working to fully integrate the new product group into its portfolio of tillage equipment: high-end weed breakers, weeders, and automatic guidance systems. With the aim of efficient, accurate and consistent weed control.
A Helios to shine
It is against this backdrop that the new Helios breakers make their debut in Hanover. The Helios models will be offered with working widths ranging from 3 meters (of the rigid models) to 6.4 meters (of the folding models). Kverneland points out that mechanical weeding with Helios, in row crops and cereals, is an effective tool for weed control and works even with resistant weeds. By breaking up the top layer and surface cover of soils after rains, the machine promotes seed emergence and restores water and air flow, stimulating physicochemical reactions and soil life. It increases mineralization and biomass by promoting nitrogen uptake.
Helios is equipped with cast-iron star wheels, driven by forward speed. The special spoon design enables good performance even at low working speeds under difficult conditions, without any clogging.
The special angle penetrates without lifting the soil, in which case it does not go to disturb the crops being grown. Selective mechanical weeding requires precision in adjusting to soil conditions and weed pressure. With Helios these adjustments can be made quickly and easily, without the need for tools. Equipped with parallelograms with mechanical or hydraulic "soft control" suspension, Helios ensures a constant working depth across the entire working width, regardless of area. Adjusted according to crop emergence height and seeding depth, it reduces the negative impact on crops.
To ensure good leveling and create an even, weatherproof surface, Kverneland offers a finger harrow that follows each section into the final work zone. The rear harrow operates across the full working width of the Helios, preserving the seedbed. It restores drainage, water and air and stimulates physicochemical reactions and soil life.
The harrow promotes weed control: it uncovers and extracts uprooted weeds from the soil, leaving them on the surface to dry in the sun. Helios is available from September 1.
Onyx weeder and Lynx guidance system
On the same wavelength goes another of Kverneland's new products for Agritechnica: the Onyx weeder. Particularly suitable in resistance cases and in row crops and cereals. For different crops and row widths, quick adaptation is possible thanks to the modularity of this machine.
Equipped with a double H-profile frame, Onyx excels in rigidity and adaptability even up to 12.5 cm row spacing. A wide range of Hardox and tungsten carbide plowshares is available, as well as a full range of accessories such as tamping discs, sheet metal side deflectors or rotary discs, to meet every need and condition. Thanks to special wheels, the largest on the market, bulldozer effects are reduced.
Each element works independently. When equipped with Section Control, up to 13 sections are lifted automatically via Isobus technology. Onyx's 2-cm surface tillage improves soil aeration as a prerequisite for physicochemical reactions (humification, organic nitrogen mineralization).
To achieve maximum precision especially with large working widths and when working in difficult geographical conditions-sloping or hilly conditions-Onyx can be combined with the Lynx guidance system. With lateral movement of up to 25 cm on both sides, precise weeding can be ensured.
Lynx is equipped with an HR camera for vigor analysis, Tillett & Hague technology; an optional second camera can be added to further increase the degree of accuracy, on any type of terrain. In optional additions, a probe recommended with highly developed crops is also available. Led lights allow for good work even in the dark. Onyx and Lynx are also already available from September 1, 2023.
