Inventions Comp 2025: John Roberts’ steep land cultivator

John Roberts won third place in our intermediate category.

Not to be beaten by a seemingly unfarmable gradient, the Powys hill farmer assembled this heavy-duty steep land cultivator.

The 3m-wide outfit is pulled up and lowered down precipitous slopes using wire ropes, leaving the tractor and operator safe on flat ground above.

See also: Aberdeenshire farmer builds cover crop drill for £500

Mounted either side of the frame are three in-line wheels, each of 400mm diameter and running on solid tyres.

These can be bolted in one of eight depth settings, which determines how low his six banks of home-made tines and three rows of blades will work.

The aim is to pull up gorse roots, level rabbit holes and make a rudimentary seed-bed that significantly improves after several passes.

Cleverly, the soil working components automatically lock into position on the upward pull and then swivel out of the way as the cultivator is lowered back down.

John has also fitted brackets on the back for a weed wiper to kill bracken, thistles and nettles – something he intends to try later this year.

Total cost of the materials was ÂŁ1,400.

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