Growers in the market for a versatile tillage tool now have another option from the Horsch stable, in the form of the Fortis AS.

It features a combination of ripping tines, levelling discs and a twin packer roller, and is expected to replace the long-serving Terrano FM.

For now, it will only be available in 6m and 7m widths, so will need some serious grunt on the front, with the firm suggesting anything from 300hp to 600hp, depending on the intended working depth. This can range from 4cm for loosening of surface stubble to 30cm for deep primary tillage.

The four rows of legs are spaced at 27cm, with the rearmost of those positioned behind the transport wheels and closer to the discs. According to Horsch, this ensures there is plenty of loose soil at the points of levelling and consolidation, which results in a tidier, more uniform finish.

See also: Custom-built cultivators offers money-saving alternative

For more accurate depth control, buyers can spec single or dual support wheels at the front, the position of which are set via a standard clip system on basic models, or hydraulic rams on fancier variants.

The twin packer at the rear can either be connected rigidly to the machine or pressurised via a hydraulic system. In the case of the latter, it means the weight of the front roller can be transferred to the rear to prevent sinking on light soils. 

And depending on the field conditions, operators can choose to run on the packer as they turn on the headland, or lift the whole lot up on the transport wheels.

Like some of the firm’s other cultivators, the Fortis is also equipped with an integrated traction reinforcement system, which transfers up to 1.2t to the rear axle of the tractor to reduce wheel slip.