For risk-averse, geologically challenged or weather-beaten farms, few implements match the reliability and consistency of a plough.

Sales of these time-honoured implements have now flatlined following a near decade-long drop driven by the proliferation of direct drills.

Those who made the switch have now settled into their new-found establishment systems and, though they might like a plough for back-up, they are unlikely to buy a new model.

See also: On test: Kverneland’s updated six-furrow LO plough

But there are still enough farms that, for myriad reasons, remain committed to complete soil inversion, giving manufacturers the confidence to invest in the research and development of new models.

Last year, we featured Kverneland’s six-furrow LO, and this time it’s the turn of the Multi-Master L from Kuhn.

Launched in 2021, it sits in the top half of the French firm’s range, somewhere between established Multi-Masters 153 and 183.

Hydraulic setup of on-land and in-furrow modes © MAG/Oliver Mark

The six-body version (a five plus one, strictly speaking) seen here – fours and fives are also available – came to us in on-land/in-furrow guise.

This gives owners geared up with guidance the option of running the tractor on the flat when running fatter, soil-friendly tyres, or in the furrow to maximise traction in challenging conditions.

Swapping between the two is an easy-once-you-know-how process that involves turning a tap, then running it through its cycle.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

Slick skimmers

One of the Multi-Master L’s main attractions is its single-pin “3D” skimmer adjustment that allows operators to simultaneously alter their working depth and slant.

The latter has three settings, giving the option of a more aggressive angle of attack in high-trash conditions. This helps fire the surface layer into the furrow bottom for guaranteed inversion.

Our demo model was armed with the firm’s standard L mouldboards.

These feature a so-called Triplex design, with three layers of steel, each of unequal thickness, extending their service life by a claimed 40%.

This comes from having a chunkier 3.3mm-thick section at the front, where most of the soil engagement occurs, before thinning towards the rear of the body – thus giving the back half of the board more flex that should reduce instances of cracking.

However, Kuhn reports an unexpected resurgence in demand for slats, either for their slightly better crumbling effect in some conditions, or the marginal weight saving that makes them a touch easier to pull.

Furrow width adjustment © MAG/Oliver Mark

Kuhn’s “Multi” branded models come only with manual vari-width adjustment, which is unlikely to appeal to those clocking big acres.

Furrows can be set at 14, 16, 18 or 20in, but the faff involved inevitably gives Vari-Masters the edge. On an otherwise like-for-like plough, this adds £5,185 to the bill.

Wallets can be drained of a further £3,000 for a hydraulic auto reset system to protect the bodies.

It has its perks, in that operators can set the pressure according to the conditions – upping it on dry ground, when passing over baked tramlines or in particularly heavy soil. But for most buyers, Kuhn’s 16mm “traction bolts” will suffice.

Rather than a scissor-like snap of a traditional shear-bolt positioned perpendicular to the line of force, these are fitted parallel with the direction of travel such that they simply pull apart.

As a result, there’s no chance of the holes gradually wearing to an oval shape, leading to a sloppy bolt fit, and operators won’t have to engage in a sweaty battle to extract them in the field.

Twin wheels

There are more options as far as wheel configuration is concerned, the most popular of which is a combined depth and transport assembly.

But ours carried separate fitments for each function, with a big 320/60 R12 depth wheel mounted on an arched beam that keeps it inside the working line of the rear furrow.

Curved depth wheel mount keeps it within the working width © MAG/Oliver Mark

This is bolted opposite the fourth body, but a second set of brackets means it can be shifted forward by almost a metre should the sixth furrow be removed.

In theory, this makes it possible to work tight to field boundaries without dragging out brambles and bushes en route.

However, the transport wheel scuppers the concept somewhat, as it protrudes a good way rearwards and out to the side.

It’s a pain to swing into its working position, too – a cumbersome affair that involves two pins and a reasonable amount of muscle.

Anyone hammering the road miles might be tempted to add Kuhn’s Optidrive suspended headstock – the fanciest of three 300hp-rated options.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

Alternatively, there’s the mid-range Easydrive. Like the Opti, this has a single pin that allows the top link bracket to swing down, saving operators having to unhook it altogether when switching from field to road mode.

Both of these more expensive options are becoming more popular in some European countries, where legislation has been introduced that requires ploughs to be carried in their transport position on the road – rather than simply lifted on the three-point linkage.

With that in mind, Kuhn has also developed an oscillating headstock for some models, though none are yet available in the UK.

It works much like Kverneland’s Trailer Transport System (TTS), with the plough able to neatly follow the tractor like a trailer, keeping it on the right side of the road when swinging into farm tracks or field gateways.

And the company still has the £68,254 Smart Plough on its books.

Available only on Vari-Master L derivatives, this offers a novel section control system that uses GPS to automatically lower and lift the plough bodies individually at the beginning and end of each pass.

The primary advantage is a straight cultivated line near to the boundary, eliminating the zigzagging that makes for a bumpy and untidy headland.