Growers wanting to mash cover crops and tough stubbles ahead of seeding were in mind when tillage and drilling specialist Bednar developed its latest field implements.

The Speed Chop SC-F is a front- or rear-mounted tool with tandem horizontal bladed rotors of 460mm diameter designed to take down, bruise and chop cover crop residues to encourage decomposition into the top few centimetres of soil.

See also: Cover crop destruction machinery options compared

The relatively small overall diameter of the two rotors creates a high-speed, high-frequency impact on the cover vegetation, notes Bednar.

Available in 3m rigid and 4m and 6m wing-folding configurations, the Speed Chop’s frame accommodates up to 280kg of wafer weight ballast if the 1.2t to 2.36t machine weight is insufficient in tough conditions.

List prices start at about £7,500 for the 3m version, rising to roughly £13,000 for the 6m.

© Bednar

Duracut stubble chopper

Bednar’s new Duracut TE trailed implement could perform a similar role, although its main purpose is to trash tough crop residues such as oilseed rape and maize stalks while also working the soil surface.

Available in 7.5m and 12.5m widths, the Duracut carries 1.24t a metre on its 940mm diameter horizontal rotors when filled with water ballast, and the rotors/rollers are equipped with heavy-duty blades arranged in a full-width chevron pattern.

The Hardox steel blade sections are either welded in place or fitted to carriers so they can be replaced more easily.

A 7.5m version is yet to be priced but the 12.5m model starts at £80,000.