Grange has put the finishing touches to its new strip-till cultivator, with production of the Preparator set to kick off following trials of three prototype models.

The implement is designed to reduce soil disturbance and horsepower requirement when preparing ground for maize by only lifting, loosening and tilling strips in which the crop will be sown.

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A set of straight-edged discs leads the soil-working components, slicing though trash to clear a path for the low-disturbance legs.

These will work to a maximum depth of 30cm and can be spaced at 45cm, 50cm, 60cm, 75cm or 80cm depending on the intended row spacing of the maize crop.

Also mounted within the relatively compact frame are two rows of wavy discs to butcher any surface clods and form a seed-bed. The depth of these and the front cutting discs can be adjusted hydraulically.

A Guttler prism roller then breaks up any remaining lumps and consolidates the rows, ready for drilling.

The Preparator is available in 3m, 4m and 6m widths and can be paired with a granular or liquid fertiliser applicator that feeds distribution points behind the legs.