3C – the crop establishment concept

MI1677 (GB) 2008

3C – the crop
establishment concept

AMAZONEN-Werke H. Dreyer GmbH & Co. KG • www.amazone.de

ES_Mulchsaat_24_10_2007_D.indd 2 25.10.2007 11:09:33 Uhr
3C – the crop establishment concept
3C – the crop
establishment concept
Publisher:
AMAZONEN-Werke, H. Dreyer GmBH & Co. KG
D-49205 Hasbergen-Gaste
www.amazone.de

Authors:
Dr. Sven Dutzi, AMAZONE product management
Dirk Brömstrup, AMAZONE marketing
Editor: Dr. Franz-Peter Schollen, www.luftbild-auto.de
Layout and setting: Marion Schnepf, www.lokbase.com
Media technique: Köster & Gloger GmbH, Osnabrück
Print: Wentker Druck, Greven

Reprint, even in parts, only with the written approval

of the publisher.

Token fee 10,– Euro

© AMAZONEN-Werke 2008
3C – the crop establishment concept

Contents
The 3C crop establishment concept and the AMAZONE philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

1. Cost advantage or safety? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The objectives of all soil cultivation measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Factors for successful conservation soil cultivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Reasons for conventional crop establishment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
The 3C crop establishment concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2. What counts: The basic rules of the 3C crop establishment concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Rule 1: As deep as necessary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Rule 2: As flexible as possible. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Rule 3: Soil moisture preservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Rule 4: Optimising straw incorporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Rule 5: An early, speedy finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3. AMAZONE machinery within the 3C crop establishment concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
First operational pass: Stubble working and volunteer germination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Second operational pass: Deep soil cultivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Third operational pass: Sowing operation (solo or in combination) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Fertilisation and crop protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4. Cooperation: Theory and practice together for optimum functionality . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Stubble germination with the Catros compact disc cultivator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Soil cultivation with the Cenius or Centaur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Sowing with rotary cultivator-sowing combinations, Cirrus or Citan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5. Trials results: Constant high yields with clear cost advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
AMAZONE trials at Leipzig, Saxony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
AMAZONE trials at Huntlosen, Lower Saxony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
AMAZONE trials at Petersdorf (Fehmarn, Schleswig-Holstein) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Results with regard to fuel consumption and establishment time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
6. AMAZONE methodology – the systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
3C technology for areas up to 100 ha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
3C technology for areas from 100 to 300 ha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3C technology for areas from 300 to 500 ha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
3C technology for areas of more than 500 ha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
3C technology for contractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
3C technology for different climatic zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
7. Professionals report on their experiences with AMAZONE machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Catros and Cenius on a mixed farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
With Catros and Cirrus in the most arduous conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
The effects are really put into action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
8. Result: Conservation soil cultivation will prevail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Epilogue of the editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
AMAZONE: Factory sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Additional information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
3C – the crop establishment concept

The 3C crop establishment concept
and the AMAZONE philosophy
Now, 3C – the crop establishment concept is available
to you in its 5th edition – with a new look and new
content. Again the focus is the knowledge concerning
conservation soil cultivation techniques and in this new
edition, AMAZONE has, systematically and concisely,
compiled together the most important facts, objectives
and measures.
The 3C concept – Cost-Cutting-Concept – that means
reducing costs and in today’s world that’s what matters
above all! Not only for every geographical location and
its peculiarities, but also for any farm size, the right
machinery and methods for soil cultivation and sowing
have to be used. It is basically a matter of faith, whether
to operate with the plough or without in a conservation
regime. Rather important is the practical answer to this,
how soil cultivation and sowing can be carried out at
the most reasonable cost according to the farm’s specific
circumstances. So, there are farms which cultivate their
land completely without the plough whereas others prac-
tice this partially or not at all, depending on the given
facts of a farm. In this way this brochure impartially
discusses the possibilities, however, also the possible
difficulties with conservation soil tillage.
For AMAZONE – as a global specialist for intelligent crop
production – it is a special challenge, to be able to
always offer the right machinery and optimum systems,
worldwide, for any climate and for any farm structure.
AMAZONE has this possibility due to the extensive,
well-rounded AMAZONE machinery programme. With
its range of active and passive soil tillage implements
and sowing combinations matching systems can be put
together for any farm and cultivation structure. Add to
that the comprehensive AMAZONE programme for ferti-
liser spreaders and crop protection sprayers and in this
way AMAZONE is then able to offer its customers com-
plete system chains from stubble working to final spray-
ing operation. The AMAZONE programme – even with-
out a plough in it – provides the customer with a solution
for all operational passes prior to and following the
plough and also with well-matched system components.
It is obvious, the international trend and the demand
tends more and more to be in the direction of conserva-
tion soil tillage systems, in order to further reduce costs.
6|7
Therefore, AMAZONE, with its own developments con-
sciously focuses in this area. In general here not where
the individual machines are concerned but the different
systems. “Saving from the system” therefore is a very
important part of the 3C crop establishment concept. It
is embedded in the “architecture of modern crop pro-
duction” containing the entire chain from harvest and
straw distribution up to the new sowing operation.
The AMAZONE philosophy also includes an advisory serv-
ice around the effective utilisation of the different sys-
tems. Therefore, the basis for all AMAZONE activities is
the co-operation with numerous farms and scientific in-
stitutions. To optimise the practical operation, AMAZONE
co-operates with farmers and contractors all over the
world and also in co-operation with science, on the other
hand, where establishment trials on different sites have
been carried out for many years. The analysis of these
results under different conditions such as climate, soil,
farm size, etc. provides specific recommendations for
farming practices and in this way any individual farm-
ing situation is competently attended to.
When reading this booklet consider the actual level of
knowledge as it not only informs of the latest, highly
interesting trials results, but also of the systems that
are available for putting that knowledge into practical
operation.
Hasbergen, October 2007
Christian Dreyer Dr. Justus Dreyer
Managing director Managing director
 3C – the crop establishment concept

Definitions concerning soil cultivation

in Germany science, consultation and practice agreed jointly to the
following definitions (KTBL working paper, 1990):
Conventional soil cultivation
Main feature is the yearly loosening of the top soil with the plough.
Weeds and organic residual matter are inverted into the soil resulting in
a loose field surface, free from residual material, enabling the trouble-
free operation of common sowing techniques.
Conservation soil cultivation
Renouncing the plough and leaving the residual matter from a previous
and/or catch crop on the field’s surface, conservation cultivation features
two basic ideas:
• The reduction of the usual intensity of the primary soil tillage accord-
ing to method, depth and frequency of the mechanical operation. The
aim of a non-inversion loosening is a stable, firm soil structure as a
preventive measure against compaction by following vehicles.
• Leaving crop residues in the vicinity to or on the soil surface. The target
is possibly soil coverage over the whole year via an intact soil structure
as preventive protection from capping and erosion. The sowing opera-
tion is defined as mulch sowing as one sows into the prevailing mulch
layer.
Direct sowing
Sowing without any prior soil cultivation since the previous harvest.
Disc, tine, or chisel openers are utilised.
Source: Architecture of modern plant production 2005 (AMAZONE publication)

3C crop establishment concept

Cost-Cutting-Concept: the optimum combination of the system steps:
stubble work, soil tillage, sowing and husbandry of the standing crop.
1. Cost advantage or safety?
1.
Economical advantages or safety?
The objectives of all soil cultivation
measures
For a better understanding of conservation soil cultiva-
tion, it is necessary first of all to remember once more
the general objectives to be achieved by the use of any
system, no matter with or without the plough. At the
top are economy and ecology: On the one hand a sus-
tainable soil fertility has to be ensured, whereas on the
other hand the production of high acreage yields, the
8|9
maintenance of high quality yet at reduced costs. Going
further into detail the objectives listed in table one can
be laid out as the criteria of arable farming, crop pro-
duction and system technology.
Against the backdrop of these objectives a comparison
can be made between conventional soil cultivation using
the plough and conservation soil tillage without the
plough. Some criteria support the advantages of conser-
vation soil cultivation, others show possible difficulties.
 3C – the crop establishment concept

Table 1: Aims of soil cultivation

In accordance with Lütke-Entrup and Oehmichen, Textbook plant production, volume 2, 2000

Arable farming objectives Plant production objectives System technical objectives

Creation of optimum growth preconditions Preservation/increase of productivity High efficiency and timeliness of operation

Targeted and demand orientated cultivation Creation of optimum field emergence Reduction of variable costs

Preservation of a stable soil structure Preventive and direct weed control Versatile utilisation of the technology applied

Incorporation of organic residual matters Fulfilling specific demands of plants Creation of favourable conditions for the
following operational passes
Compliance to relevant environmental demands

Table 2: System effects on soils and seedbeds in comparison

Conventional soil cultivation Conservation soil tillage

with the plough without the plough
Incorporation of crop residues Complete, however uneven Partial, however uniform
Plough pan, compaction damage Yes No
Deeper loosening Yes Only if necessary
Over-loosening of the soil Yes No
Soil warming and drying out of the seedbed Quick Slow
Danger of capping and erosion High Minor
Carrying capacity and traffic carrying ability of the soil Worse Better
Biological activity and water volume Worse Better
Nutrient issue in surface water and in ground water Higher Minor
Disease pressure from contaminated residues Minor Bigger
Problems with weeds and volunteer grain Minor Bigger
Inputs for herbicide and fungicide measures Minor Higher
Operational costs Higher Minor
Energy demand for machine operation Higher Minor
Demands on straw management Minor Higher
Demands on sowing technology Minor Higher
Demands on system Minor Higher
1. Cost advantage or safety? 10 | 11

The overview in table 2 makes it clear: Because of the

lower operational intensity during conservation soil Pict. 1: Cost structure in arable farms from 100 ha
cultivation, organic residual matter can partly remain Distribution of costs (%)
on the soil surface reducing the danger of soil capping 50
and erosion and the top soil deep loosening is only car-
ried out where necessary. The renouncement of regular 40
and intensive loosening results in a better soil structure
stability and the improved ability to carry traffic. At the 30
same time water can be better kept in the soil which
20
is a major factor, especially where little annual rainfall
and/or bad distribution of rainfall prevail. 10

Altogether reducing the operational passes and the 0

operational intensity offers an enormous potential to Harvest Ploughing Seedbed preparation Fertilisation and
and sowing crop protection
save costs. Following experts’ valuation this potential
is, depending on the relevant farm situation, between The distribution of the cost allocation shows a big saving potential
50 and 150 Euro/ha. can result from the reduction of soil cultivation intensity (In the
graph the item “other costs” is not considered).
On the other hand the remaining crop residues on the
surface require special demands on the sowing technique.
Thus one would have to turn one’s attention especially to
a system that allows the trouble-free seed placement and Pict. 2: Overview of farming systems
yet the accurate maintenance of sowing depth. On top System differentiation with the help of straw distribution for ploughing,
of this there are perhaps more problems due to disease mulch or direct sowing
pressure, weeds and volunteer grain resulting in possi-
bly increased herbicide and fungicide expense. Also, the
demands on straw management and the system manage-
ment are increased.
Sowing following
The higher demands on the system management should the plough
not be underestimated as the unique conditions on each
individual farm may be more or less ideal for the conser-
vation soil cultivation.

Factors of success for the conservation Mulch sowing

soil cultivation
Average soils with a soil rating of 50 to 70 points offer the
best preconditions for conservation soil cultivation with-
out the plough. At the time of operation they mostly
have the right structure, they fall well and are can be
cultivated problem-free. In this way, for example, sandy
clays and loams are superbly suited or even make conser-
vation cultivation an absolute necessity as on sloping Direct sowing
terrain this soil structure quickly leads to erosion.

Straw Soil

Heavy soils, also called minute soils, are more critical as
they are difficult to handle, not only without the plough
but also with the plough. Mostly these soils distinguish
themselves by short periods for cultivation. However,
AMAZONE trials in the Schleswig-Holstein Oppendorf
near Kiel show that the conservation soil cultivation
also works in these conditions. Here one can even take
it as a decisive advantage that these soils can be worked
more efficiently and with better timeliness.
Most demanding on cultivation are the light, sandy soils
due to possible compaction. Thus continuous shallow
operation is not advisable, but rather every two to three
years a deeper cultivation should be carried out, possi-
bly even with a deep loosener. Otherwise oxygen will
become the limiting factor on the compacted soils, as
the plant’s roots requires 10% by volume Oxygen in the
soil air. That conservation soil cultivation also works on
sandy soils is proven on many farms, for example in the
Uckermark (Brandenburg) region where they have oper-
ated for many years with this system.
Besides soil type the crop rotation is an important factor
for success. The longer the intervals in the crop rotation
the easier the cultivation of the soils gets. Especially in
3C – the crop establishment concept
winter orientated crop rotations as the continuous sow-
ing of winter sown crops following winter sown crops
hampers the success of the soil regeneration during that
short period between harvest and the sowing operation.
Nevertheless, AMAZONE trials on Fehmarn in Eastern
Holstein also show that farming without the plough can
be successful in this type of rotation and here, high effi-
ciency and a well functioning straw management regime
are important. Crop rotations with a big share of root
crops or spring cereals on the other hand allow for a
clearly extended soil regeneration period. This substan-
tially corrects many of the potential problems, such as in
the disease sector, because more time is available for
straw rotting.
Problems due to disease pressure, weeds and volunteer
grain can be solved by the use of appropriate crop pro-
tective agents and special care with variety choice. Even
though the costs will increase, these additional meas-
ures will mostly come out better all in all than the addi-
tional effort and cost when using the plough.
Really difficult, and perhaps even impossible, is con-
servation cultivation without the plough in an organic
farming regime where however, although the wide crop
1. Cost advantage or safety?
rotations offer good pre-conditions, the possibilities of
using crop protection agent applications does not exist
at all.
Straw management belongs to the important factors
of success. Thus the intensity of the following soil cul-
tivation operational passes depends, amongst others,
on the quality of the straw chopper and distributor on
the combine harvester. Faults within this sector can-
not be compensated for later no matter how good the
machine solutions utilised for the sowing technology
may be.
Reasons for conventional
crop establishment
Though, soil cultivation without the plough is basically
possible everywhere, many farms go on using the plough
in the whole or partially due to different reasons: The
renouncement of the advantages of conservation soil
cultivation is easier the lower the cost differential is,
the more difficult the soil management is and also at
the same time the better the rainfall is distributed.
Above all regarding fusarium in problematic crops and
close crop rotations make the use of the plough prefer-
able and more unproblematic. On top of this is relative
yield safety, a simple remedy for weeds, grass weeds
and volunteer grain and a residue-free sowing horizon.
Trials area and test tracks behind the
AMAZONE BBG factory site in Leipzig
12 | 13
The 3C crop establishment concept
The all deciding and most important argument in favour
of cultivating without the plough is the fact that a
considerable saving potential can be opened up. To
implement this three system steps: stubble working,
primary soil tillage and sowing have to be optimally
matched.
However, the handling is different depending on climate
regions, yield expectations and farm or acreage struc-
tures, resulting in different experiences and recommen-
dations. Nevertheless, the aim of all AMAZONE activities
is to develop a system concept as comprehensive as pos-
sible for all operational conditions. This concept should
be reduced to a few basic rules that, however, still allow
the adaptation to the individual farm specific condi-
tions. This is the 3C concept – “Cost-Cutting-Concept”,
offering for all farms and all conditions the matched
machinery and systems.
Table 3: Problems and solutions with conservation soil
cultivation
Problem Solution
Soil compaction Deep loosening if necessary
Increased infection chopping straw into shorter pieces,
pressure due to straw good distribution and good mixing
Poor seed soil contact Better re-consolidation
Weed problems Good and shallow stubble working,
Glyphosate containing agents
Mice and slugs Good incorporation of straw, reduction
of green matter growth, avoiding an open
structure by improving re-consolidation

2.
What counts: The basic rules of the
3C crop establishment concept
Rules:
As deep as necessary
As flexible as possible
Preservation of soil moisture
Optimised incorporation of
straw into the soil
Quick and early preparation
3C – the crop establishment concept
“3C” – hidden behind this banner headline is the
AMAZONE “Cost-Cutting-Concept”. With a view to
achieving cost minimised system procedures the main
focus of this concept is in the reduced soil cultiva-
tion and through the 3C concept AMAZONE combines
their experience around the machinery and systems
for soil cultivation and sowing.
The AMAZONE 3C concept contains different opera-
tional options which, in spite of different technical
solutions, always have the same target: cultivation at
a reasonable cost that results in high yields.
New findings from science, consultation and agricul-
tural practice continuously merge into the 3C concept
allowing the further optimisation of the AMAZONE
machinery programme to derive practical recommen-
dations for the optimum operation.
Since the individual demands of farms depends on many
factors, such as the relevant field structure, the climatic
conditions or crop rotation, different machines are used
depending on the individual farm. Included here should
be the different stages of intensity when carrying out
the operational passes.
In spite of all these differences in the individual opera-
tions basic rules can be derived offering practitioners a
good guidance. These rules show what matters in order
to achieve, via reduced soil cultivations, high yields at
an as favourable cost base as possible.
2. What counts: The basic rules of the 3C concept 14 | 15

Rule 1:
As deep as necessary
The preservation of the soil structure is an important
target at soil cultivation. On the other hand the greater
or lesser amounts of crop residue that remain from the
relevant previous crop have to be incorporated into the
soil prior to the new sowing operation.
That means: The better the straw distribution provided
by the combined harvester and the shorter the chop
length is the less the intensity of the straw incorpora-
tion into the soil can be. At the same time the working
depth/intensity after leaf crops, such as beet and pota-
toes and rape can be lower than after crops with large
amounts of straw (maize, cereals). After leaf crops often
even only one relatively shallow operational pass is nec-
essary.
When the pre-condition of good straw distribution and
chaff quality is fulfilled, and in addition the subsoil is
well structured and sufficiently provided with oxygen
the general rule applies: 1 t straw/ha requires a mini-
mum of 1 cm working depth for incorporation. On soils
with a weaker structure, however, for example, on sandy
soils which tend to compact, or in areas with temporary
stagnant water the soil requires the top soil loosening
down to 20 to 30 cm. Only in this way can sufficient
oxygen supply down to the roots be ensured.
Rule 2:
As flexible as possible
Theory requires: shallow stubble working (1st opera-
tional pass, e.g. using the Catros) followed by a deeper
operation (2nd operational pass, e.g. using the Centaur).
For different reasons (crop rotation, soil type and
weather), however, this procedure can not always be
implemented completely or in this sequence.
Still valid rather is:
• When the 1st operational pass was shallow, the 2nd
operational pass is deeper to incorporate volunteer
grain.
• When the 1st operational pass was deep, the 2nd
operational pass has to be shallow (no cultivator) in
order not to lift the straw again, possibly it can be
left out completely.
• Sometimes the 1st and 2nd operational passes are
reduced to one pass which then mostly takes place
immediately before sowing the following crop. In
some cases if the previous crop was rape it even
remains unworked until the next sowing operation.
Table 4: Alternative combinations of 1st and 2nd operational pass
1st 2nd Notes
operational pass operational pass
Alternative 1 Shallow Deep Incorporation of volun-
teer grain and weeds

Alternative 2 Deep Left out or strawDoagain

not lift the
in the 2nd
very shallow operational pass
Combined into one operational
Alternative 3 pass immediately prior to sowing

Alternative 4 Both operational passes e.g. after rape

are left out

The better the straw and chaff distribution provided by the

combine harvester and the shorter the chop length, the inten- In most cases the first operational pass is shallow stubble
sity of straw incorporation into the soil can be lessened. working.

Rule 3:
Preservation of soil moisture
Above all, in areas where the soil moisture content acts
as the limiting factor, evaporation should be prevented
as far as possible. Therefore stubble breaking should be
carried out immediately following the combine harvester
and so the output capacities of the compact disc harrow
and combine harvester must be nearly the same. Work-
ing widths and operational times of these machines
should be accurately matched.
The same applies to the operation of cultivator and seed
drill, because any second operational pass and sowing
operation also should take place within a few hours, the
best being that both systems operate simultaneously in
the same field. Thus the required acreage output of the
cultivator depends on the acreage output of the sowing
technique used. The target is also here to preserve the
remaining soil moisture allowing the freshly sown grain
to germinate. In cases of insufficient capacity of the cul-
tivator this can be increased either via larger working
widths following bigger tractors or by prolonged opera-
tional times or shift work within the time available for
working in the field.
However, one has to bear in mind that shift work in re-
gions near built-up areas may cause problems in case the
residents are bothered by night-time machine noise. On
top of this it is getting more and more difficult to find
qualified people who are prepared to work also at night
and employing less qualified people may result, not only
in damage to the machine, but also in a reduced opera-
tional quality, for example by sowing errors. Everywhere,
where such problems exist, the working capacity can only
be increased by larger working widths.
The Centaur loosens the soil without inverting it and superbly
mixes in the straw.
3C – the crop establishment concept
Rule 4:
Optimised incorporation of straw
into the soil
This rule is also valid in adverse conditions. Therefore,
the Catros compact disc harrow is the preferred machine
for stubble breakage. It is easily pulled and provides high
area efficiency simultaneously with a low specific fuel
consumption.
In case of problems, such as, for example insufficient
straw distribution by the combine harvester or long/
lying chaff after lodged grain, the first operational pass
is carried out with a heavy disc harrow or a straw har-
row, if available on the farm. In this case, however, one
can also – equipped with the appropriate shares –
utilise a cultivator such as the Centaur to mix the straw
into the soil.
Where dry conditions prevail and there are signs that
straw rotting after the first operational pass is less than
expected the rule then is: The less rot, the deeper the
crop residues should be incorporated with the second
pass.
In this situation some farms use the plough in order to
loosen and mix the soil as deeply as possible. One prefer-
ably ploughs between maize and wheat and also follow-
ing wheat or maize where the rotation is a following
spring sowing (beet, potatoes, malting barley, peas,
etc.).
These cultivation effects, however, can be achieved
more effectively by using the Centaur. It also loosens the
soil down to the desired depth and mixes in the straw
without, however, simultaneously inverting the soil.
Active combinations of rotary cultivator/harrow and seed
drill achieve, depending on the working width (3 to 6 m) daily
outputs of 15 to 50 hectares.
2. What counts: The basic rules of the 3C concept
Cirrus is equipped with pre-cultivating disc elements and
achieves daily outputs of 25 to 60 hectares (depending on
working widths of 3, 4 or 6 m).
Rule 5:
Quick and early preparation
In order to maintain time schedules, especially in bad
weather conditions, farms have to have available, ma-
chinery with high area efficiency. This not only applies
just to stubble working, but also above all however, to
the sowing operation.
Sowing combinations with actively operating cultiva-
tors are used in preference on small to medium size
farms. Combinations of rotary cultivator/harrow and
seed drill: Depending on working width (3 to 6 m) com-
binations with rotary cultivator/harrow and seed drill
provide a daily output of 15 to 50 hectares where the
advantage of the active combinations is an optimum
combination of soil tillage and sowing operation.
16 | 17
The second operational pass and sowing should ideally be
carried out within only a few hours, preferably both systems
working simultaneously in the field.
If the total field area cannot be cultivated with an active
combination at the optimum time, the AMAZONE pro-
gramme includes the Cirrus sowing combination. These
combination machines, equipped with pre-cultivation
disc elements, manage daily outputs of 25 to 60 hec-
tares (in working widths of 3, 4 or 6 m).
For even higher acreage outputs AMAZONE recommends
the Citan solo large area seed drills in working widths
of 8, 9 and 12 m providing daily outputs of 75 to 120 ha.
However, they are not equipped with any method of
pre-cultivation. So, the bigger the necessary acreage
output of the seed drill is, the more this is at the
expense of the intensity of seedbed preparation, so much
so, that in the end, a separate operational pass prior to
sowing is necessary.
 3C – the crop establishment concept

3.
AMAZONE machines in
3C crop establishment concept

For the different system variations of conservation soil

tillage and the following crop establishment AMAZONE
offers an optimally matched programme: The Catros
compact disc cultivator, the Cenius mulch cultivator,
the Centaur cultivator disc harrow combination and
various seed drills or till and drill combinations as well
as fertiliser spreaders and crop protection sprayers.

Catros mounted compact disc cultivator,

3 to 6 metres
3. AMAZONE machines within the 3C-concept
First operational pass:
Stubble working
For the first operational pass – the stubble working –
the Catros compact disc cultivator (3 to 7.5 m working
width) provides a uniform shallow soil tillage over all
the area – even in undulating terrain.
Catros trailed compact disc cultivator,
3 to 7.5 metres
18 | 19
For farms where the purchase of a solo machine for stub-
ble work is not worthwhile, AMAZONE offers the two
row Pegasus cultivator (3 to 5 m working width) or the
Cenius three row cultivator (3 m). Both machines can
be used both for the intensive mixing, medium deep to
deep soil tillage (second operational pass) and for the
first operational pass for shallow stubble working. The
Cenius can be equipped with special share types, suit-
able for any operational requirement.
 3C – the crop establishment concept

The Centaur is ideally suited for the second operational

pass on larger size farms.

Second operational pass:

Deeper soil tillage
The Centaur cultivator-disc harrow combination in
working widths of 3.0 to 7.0 m is the ideal machine
for the second operational pass on larger farms. The
Centaur provides a reliable, intensive mixing of crop
residues and soil at a medium working depth, yet how-
ever, also with the possibility of working deeper for
top soil loosening.

As a multi-function soil tillage machine for plough-less

farming the Centaur can also be used for shallow stub-
ble working. Depending on the kind of operation and
the desired working depth specific operational shares
are available for the Centaur to achieve an optimum
result.
3. AMAZONE machines within the 3C-concept
Cirrus sowing combination with front mounted compact disc harrow
Third operational pass:
Sowing (solo or in combination)
For the sowing operation AMAZONE supplies both ma-
chines with PTO driven and also passive cultivation. The
advantages of the active solutions, such as, rotary culti-
vator-Pack Top sowing combination, Avant front tank
combination in up to 6 m working width or Cirrus Activ
with integrated rotary cultivator, are demonstrated in
high soil moistures (due to reduced slippage) and on
sloping terrain, in unfavourable field sizes, on heavy or
clayey soils, poor straw management and where there is
AD-P Pack Top pneumatic seed drill for operation on medium
size farms
20 | 21
a little share of fine soil. In addition the PTO driven
combinations often prove to be the “problem solution”
for late sown crops.
In good straw management, larger areas and medium
soils, however, the passive combinations are streets
ahead due to their faster forward speed and higher acre-
age outputs. Here AMAZONE recommends the use of
the Cirrus sowing combination with front mounted
twin-row compact disc harrow (working width 3 to 6 m),
or for an even higher acreage output, the Citan large
area seed drill in working widths of 8 to 12 m.
And the AD-P Super above all for contractors and arable farms
from 200 ha to 500 ha
 3C – the crop establishment concept

The AMAZONE programme includes mounted, trailed and self-propelled crop protection sprayers in working widths from
12 to 40 metres and tank sizes from 900 to 5,200 litres.

Fertilisation and crop protection

For the successful development of the crop through its
various vegetation stages the professional planning and
carrying out of fertilising and crop protection measures
are decisively important. The technology utilised does
not only require reliability but above all highest precision
in application.

With their complete machinery programme AMAZONE

also here meets the different demands from capacity of
the farms. For fertilisation mounted centrifugal fertiliser
spreaders or trailed large area bulk material spreaders For fertilisation AMAZONE offers centrifugal mounted
with working widths of 10 to 48 are available. For crop spreaders and trailed bulk material large area spreaders
protection AMAZONE offers mounted, trailed and self- in working widths from 10 to 48 metres.
propelled crop protection sprayers from 12 to 40 m work-
ing widths with tank sizes from 900 to 5,200 litres.
4. Cooperation: Theory and practice together for optimum functionality
4.
Cooperation: Theory and practice
together for optimum functionality
The success of soil tillage without the plough depends
to a large extent on how the technology used corre-
sponds to the demands. Producing machinery of poor
quality or when the systems do not function perfectly,
the advantages of soil tillage without the plough are
rightly questioned by the user.
Therefore, quality, safety, reliability and comfort are
the criteria that play an important role at AMAZONE
with the focus of the design work not only on robust-
ness and longevity but also operational quality, opera-
tional safety and operational comfort. Today of special
Centaur on the test track in Leipzig
22 | 23
importance is also reducing as far as possible the fuel
consumption during the machine operation.
Initially the engineers develop the basic design, incor-
porating robustness and operational tools of such a soil
tillage implement on the computer. One tool for the
solution of such complex design tasks is, for example,
finite-element computer programmes enabling the engi-
neer to simulate the play of forces on the machine in
operation and to carry out necessary the improvements
on screen.

See the sparks fly – KG rotary harrow on the stone torture track
After the design work on the computer the individual
parts and tools are initially tested in the laboratory
followed by the first pre-series machines and opera-
tional tests. In order to check, for example, the strength
in stony soil conditions, AMAZONE owns various test
tracks, such as the stone torture tracks, where the ma-
chines are tested under the most arduous of conditions
for their suitability and endurance.
Finally, for the reliable operation, the machines are
tested and optimised extensively in practice. For this
AMAZONE cooperates with agricultural partner farms
all over the world so that the operational reliability of
the machines can be tested over thousands of hectares.
At this important stage, AMAZONE engineers change
role and suitably dressed in overalls and boots they are
present on site in order to further accompany “their”
machines in field operation.
In this way at AMAZONE a comprehensive but reliable
programme of soil tillage and sowing technology has
been and still is being developed and we would like to
introduce the details of the actual technology and sys-
tems which are not easily recognisable, just like that,
from outside.
3C – the crop establishment concept
Stubble germination with the
Catros compact disc cultivator
For shallow stubble work the top soil layer has to be
loosened, crumbled and levelled and subsequently re-
consolidated. This way favourable pre-conditions for
the germination of volunteer grain and weed seeds are
created immediately after harvest.
Therefore, the Catros compact disc cultivator operates
with two rows of aggressively angled concave discs and
a following roller. It is extremely short, compact and
easy to manoeuvre. The discs linked on the frame are
provided with elastic rubber spring elements that offer
stone protection where, as oppose to other machines,
with a rigid implement frame, the concave discs follow
the ground contours during the first shallow operational
pass so that the undulations are not simply filled up but
also worked. Therefore, with the Catros system, opera-
tional quality means that even in undulating terrain an
even shallow first pass is possible.
With the following wedge ring roller the Catros leaves
behind re-consolidated grooves providing an optimised
soil contact – ensuring a reliable germination of volun-
teer grain and weed seeds and as the re-consolidation is
carried out in strips open gaps remain, preventing cap-
ping – even on non-pressure sensitive soils. Since the
Catros offers high acreage outputs and in addition also
operates blockage free and with little wear it is more
and more used instead of the formerly more popular two
row wing share and disc cultivators.
Rubber sprung elements for stone safety on the Catros
4. Cooperation: Theory and practice together for optimum functionality 24 | 25

Maintenance-free bearings on the Catros discs thanks to combined sealing

of felt ring and face seal for the twin-row angular roller bearings

Twin-row angular contact ball bearing race

Face seal built into the

conical seats

2 x O-ring

2 x cast rings with slide face

gear oil filled

Catros trailed compact disc cultivator, 7.5 m working width


Cenius mulch cultivator intensively mixing and incorporating
Soil cultivation with the Cenius
or Centaur
Cenius mounted mulch cultivator
AMAZONE designed the Cenius in 3 m working width
for the smaller and medium size arable farms or mixed
farms. Due to its compact three point linkage the Cenius
is ideally suited for smaller field sizes with small head-
lands allowing short turning times. The main operation-
al range of the Cenius is the intensive mixing, medium
deep to deep soil tillage. In addition it can be used for
the shallow stubble work and seedbed preparation in
spring. For each kind of operation specific share types
are available.
With its spiral spring tines and inversion shares, arranged
in three rows, Cenius initially incorporates straw resi-
dues evenly and intensively. The special arrangement
of tines provides more clearance ensuring trouble-free
material flow even in large amounts of straw with the
large clearance ensuring high functional safety even
where these large amounts of straw prevail. For any top
soil deep loosening and to reduce the pulling power
requirement narrow shares are available.
Following the tine rows concave discs level the worked
area again providing an additional mixing and crumbling
effect. The individual rubber spring element bearings of
the discs allow individual ground contour adaptation.
The following wedge ring roller at the rear of the Cenius
providing the re-consolidation of the soil and control-
ling the working depth of the implement.
Cenius is the ideal machine as a introduction into con-
servation soil tillage. After the initial work of the Cenius
a following mulch sowing procedure is possible without
any problems.
3C – the crop establishment concept
Centaur cultivator-disc harrow combination
For the operation on larger size farms AMAZONE has
developed the Centaur in working widths of 3.0 to
7.0 metres – as a multi-functional soil tillage machine
for arable farming without the plough. Besides shallow
stubble working the operational range of the Centaur
includes both the reliable, intensive mixing of crop resi-
dues and soil at a medium working depth and also top
soil deep loosening. Depending on the desired working
depth special tools/shares are available for every opera-
tional pass and in order to meet the demand “as shal-
low as possible, as deep as necessary” the working
depth of the Centaur can simply and quickly be hydrau-
lically adjusted whilst driving and thus be matched to
the prevailing straw and soil conditions with the clear
advantage that fuel consumption is reduced. Actually
AMAZONE engineers are developing on-line sensors
for the automatic recognition of the straw quantities
present to achieve the continuous appropriate adapta-
tion of the working depth to the prevailing amounts
of straw.
Today the Centaur Super, the four-row machine and the
Centaur Special, the three row machine are at the heart
of the AMAZONE programme. Both types feature the
staggered tine arrangement and a big frame height that
is of absolute importance for the trouble free straw pas-
sage and low fuel consumption. New on the Centaur are
the especially developed 3D tines – an integrated over-
load protection offering utmost stone safety. Two hori-
zontal springs keep the tine at the preset depth – only
with a load of more than 500 kg allows the tine to de-
flect, returning to its operational position automati-
cally. The special suspension allows both horizontal and
vertical movement, that means the three-dimensional
deflection behaviour, of the tines when encountering
obstacles in the soil.
In the rear of the tines Centaur mixes, crumbles and
level the soil via a single row (Special) or a twin-row
(Super) disc harrow element and re-consolidates the
soil in strips with the following wedge ring roller so
that only little moisture losses occur. For top soil deep
loosening the narrow shares are used so that the pull-
ing power requirement is reduced. Simultaneously the
wedge ring tyre roller serves as running gear for road
transport.
4. Cooperation: Theory and practice together for optimum functionality 26 | 27

Centaur 5001 Special: 3-row tine stagger, single row discs Centaur 5001 Super: 4-row tine stagger, twin row discs

Even incorporation of
straw via a cultivator
with three or four rows

Insufficient straw
incorporation with
a two row wing share
cultivator

Highest stone safety due to the integrated overload safety device

 3C – the crop establishment concept

Sowing with Cirrus & Citan or rotary
cultivator-sowing combinations
Seed drills or sowing combinations have to ensure an
accurate seed placement in the straw-soil mixture at the
desired depth. In the following, two different system
versions are introduced: either rotary cultivator sowing
combinations or secondly, solo seed drills.
By combining rotary cultivator, roller and seed drill the
operational passes of straw incorporation and seedbed
preparation are coupled. The advantages: 1. the initial
primary soil tillage can be carried out with less effort.
2. The quality of straw incorporation can be further
improved. Where large amounts of straw prevail and
in cases where the cereals are sown following cereals
the latter always has a positive effect on the yield.
AMAZONE offers the option of rotary cultivator-Pack
Top sowing combinations or the Avant front tank sow-
ing combinations in working widths up to 6m.
Thus, the system change to a higher output solo seed
drill is made in almost every case when the sowing op-
eration with one employee is not possible on the total
area at the optimum time. Depending on specific farm
conditions this limit is between 500 ha and 700 ha.
If above this limit a solo seed drill is used the seedbeds
have to be thoroughly prepared prior to the actual sow-
ing operation. But then the sowing operation can be
carried out with maximum acreage output. Special coul-
ter systems are required to be able to increase, with a
sufficient seed embedment quality, the acreage output
via higher forward speeds. This is why, for example, that
AMAZONE has equipped the Cirrus sowing combina-
tions with special coulters which hardly react to clods
or stones and ensure, even at high operational speeds,
an even placement depth. The special pressure equali-
sation systems provide the necessary adaptation to
undulating soil surfaces.

From an economical point of view, however, the com-

bined use of PTO driven machine, roller and seed drill
is only then appropriate and useful when the sowing
operation can take place at the optimum time. Since
these combinations have a lower output than solo-seed
drills one would have to increase the acreage output due
to increasing farm size via larger working widths and
bigger tractors but this, however, is only possible to a
certain extent.

System of function: Rotary cultivator-combination, wedge ring roller, RoTeC coulter unit, if necessary with additional following press
roller and exact following harrow.

Wedge ring roller

RoTeC+ roll disc coulters

Exact following harrow

Press roller

Roll first … then sow … press roller if required … … seed covering.

4. Cooperation: Theory and practice together for optimum functionality 28 | 29

AMAZONE till and drill combination can be utilised both

for mulch sowing and also conventional sowing following
the plough.

System of function for an active sowing combination:

Straw incorporation, seedbed preparation and sowing
in one operational pass
The combination of many talents – KG-KW-AD
AMAZONE till and drill combinations have proven them-
selves by the thousands both in mulch sowing at rea- Exact following harrow
sonable cost, with or without previous loosening, and
in conventional sowing after the plough. The rotary cul-
tivator with its “on grip” tines loosens even hard, firm
soils, maintaining the pre-set working depth and simul- RoTeC coulters
taneously mixing in the straw. Thanks to the large clear-
ances between the tines ensures a trouble free flow of
the straw-soil mixture above the rotor carriers and the In very dry conditions the capillary
water reaches the seedling.
following levelling bar levels ridges and furrows. The
wedge ring roller carries the rotary cultivator and the
seed drill and re-consolidates the soil in strips, so that Wedge ring roller
one third of the soil is re-consolidated whereas two
thirds of the surface remains loose.

The RoTeC coulters on the seed drill run smoothly to

ensure an absolutely accurate sowing depth in the pre-
rolled grooves. The exact following harrow covers the
seed with loose soil resulting in optimised germination Heavy rainfall seeps away into
conditions – firm underneath and loose on the top. the non-rolled, loose areas.
Even in dry conditions the capillary water can reach Levelling bar
the seedling via the re-consolidated grooves. Heavy
rainfall, on the other hand can drain away through the
un-consolidated soil into which the plant roots grow.
As the re-consolidation is carried out “only” in strips Rotary cultivator
the plant will always find the soil conditions suitable
for the actual weather conditions. The teamwork of all
factors results in a quick and even crop emergence.

Gaseous exchange via the loose soil

– allowing the roots to breathe.

The Cirrus sowing combination
The Cirrus Super sowing combination in 3 to 6 m working
widths is designed for even higher acreage outputs. It
operates with disc cultivator elements ahead of the new
PacTeC coulters (RoteC coulters on the Cirrus Special).
Initially the double row compact disc harrow loosens and
crumbles the seed bed once more. The discs with sprung
rubber suspension individually follow the ground con-
tours and can give way to stones. The infinitely variable
setting of the cultivating depth is possible also whilst on
the move from the tractor cab.
The packer tyres (2 tyres/m working width and with a
diameter of 800 mm and vulcanised wedge rings) form
one tyre roller, carrying the seed drill and re-consolidat-
ing and levelling the seedbed in front of the coulters. In
detail they fulfil the following three functions:
1.
The wedge rings provide the re-consolidation of the soil
in strips for the four disc coulter/tyre following at a
12.5 cm row spacing. The special linkage of the coulters
in combination with the large diameter discs and rele-
vant coulter pressures ensure an absolutely smooth run,
even at high operating speeds. On both versions the
overload safety ensures that the stones can negotiate
stones. On the Cirrus Super the packer coulters are
linked via the hydraulic equalisation system enabling
them to adapt to ridges and furrows. Even on uneven
ground with coarse clods the soil is evenly re-consoli-
dated and irrespective of soil type, soil condition and
forward speed these coulters always maintain the pre-
set sowing depth. The principle: roll first – then sow
results in an optimised seed embedment. For sowing
operations in dry sites the Cirrus can be equipped as
option with a following roller harrow bar.
3C – the crop establishment concept
For even higher acreage outputs: the Cirrus sowing combination
2.
For the transport to and from the field four of the wheels
are pushed down. This allows the machine to safely leave
the field even in toughest conditions. These four wheels
are equipped with brakes so that it is permissible for the
machine to be transported on the road at up to 40 km/h.
When turning on the headland the Cirrus can be trans-
ported on only four or at choice also on all the wedge
ring tyres.
3.
During operation the weight of the machine rests on the
tractor and the packer tyres. As the seed tank is arranged
near to the tractor additional pressure is transferred on
to the drive wheels improving the tractor traction. At
the same time different fill levels in the seed tank have
no influence on the coulter units.
An additional feature of the Cirrus is the slender seed
tank. It allows the unobstructed view to the cultivation
element. The swivel draw bar allows the towing tractor
to turn up to 90 degrees without touching the tank
making the Cirrus both on the headland and in transport
position ideally manoeuvrable. Calibration and residue
emptying are no problem, the large tank opening allows
for a quick filling.
The hydraulic pressure equalisation system links the packer
tyres – resulting in an improved soil contour adaptation and
optimised placement quality.
4. Cooperation: Theory and practice together for optimum functionality
Citan large area seed drill
Large area seed drills in working widths of 8, 9 or
12 metres can be utilised for especially high acreage out-
puts. The pneumatic metering system ensures an abso-
lutely accurate application of seed from 2 to 400 kg/ha.
As also on the Citan the seed tank is located near to the
tractor, with pressure then transferred to the drive
wheels improving the tractor traction. The wide hopper
opening allows for a quick filling, for example via big
bags. The Citan features a compact design and can be
folded to a transport width of only 3 m within a few
seconds.
The RoTeC+ coulters are ideally suited for very large
acreage outputs and the most arduous operational con-
ditions. The 4.5 mm thick 400 mm diam. boron steel
discs suffer very little wear and via a depth limiter and
cleaning disc, which can be adjusted without tools, the
sowing depth can be absolutely accurately set.
Providing especially high acreage outputs – the Citan in 12 m working width
30 | 31
The AMATRON+ on-board computer ensure complete control
over the different functions
The AMATRON+ on-board computer: One for all
In combination with the AMATRON+ on-board compu-
ter the different functions of the sowing operation are
further simplified. Thus, a simple calibration routine,
for example, and a sowing rate change are possible via
the on-board computer. The very comprehensive elec-
tro-hydraulic control enables AMATRON+ also to actu-
ate all functions, such as sowing depth or soil tillage
intensity from the tractor cab. And needless to say, the
on-board computer also controls and monitors the crea-
tion of tramlines. Thanks to the integrated serial inter-
face AMATRON+ in combination with a GPS terminal
can also be used for part area site-specific sowing opera-
tions. In addition AMATRON+ can be used as a machine
overlapping on-board computer, for use also in combi-
nation with fertiliser spreaders and crop protection
sprayers.
 3C – the crop establishment concept

5.
Trials results: Constantly high
yields at clear cost advantages

For optimum success with the soil tillage operation

AMAZONE offers comprehensive advice concerning the
use of the different systems based on many years of tri-
als results with soil tillage and sowing which AMAZONE
carries out on different sites in co-operation with scien-
tific establishments.

The choice of the trials site represents the different

farming possibilities and structures, considering at the
same time the different climatic conditions and crop ro-
tations and on the following pages we hope to inform
you of the most important results.
5. Trials results: Constantly high yields at clear cost advantages 32 | 33

Fehmarn 30 ha

AMAZONE trials sites Huntlosen/Oldenburg 20 ha

in Germany Hude 15 ha
Wehnen (Oldenburg) 15 ha
AMAZONE co-operates with
numerous farms not only in
Germany but also all over Hasbergen (Osnabrück) 10 ha
Europe.
Westerkappeln (Osnabrück) 25 ha
Additional sites are located, Kitzen (Leipzig) 770 ha
for example, in France,
Great Britain, Russia and
Denmark.

Farm size
structures
< 100 ha
< 200 ha
< 500 ha
< 1,000 ha
> 1,000 ha

In co-operation with the German Agricultural Society

(DLG) AMAZONE has investigated the different soil
tillage and sowing operational chains, for the first
time also regarding fuel consumption and working
time requirement. These results clearly show that the
use of AMAZONE machinery for conservation soil till-
age systems not only results in the same yields but
also in clear cost advantages.

AMAZONE, acting as an international supplier of agri-

cultural technology, continuously looks to add addi-
tional sites in all the important export countries and
there are already trials sites in England, France, Russia
and Denmark.
 3C – the crop establishment concept

AMAZONE trials on the Leipzig, Layout of the 40 ha trials area on the farm Agrarprodukte
Saxony site (yield results) Kitzen e.G. near Leipzig

The Leipzig, in Saxony site is representative of arable

farming on large acreages. A continental climate pre- 36 m 108 m
vails – little rainfall and early summer drought are rep-
resentative and here, water and climate are the yield
limiting factors.

The trial site is situated on the farm of Agrarprodukte

Kitzen e.G. near Leipzig. Out of a farm size of just over
3,000 hectares approximately 770 ha of trials are cul-
tivated in co-operation with AMAZONE. On a total of
75 ha exact trials have been carried out now over the conventional conservation
last 8 seasons since 2000 and evaluated by the FAL
Braunschweig (under Dr. Voßhenrich). With regard to
crop protection and fertilisation all areas are treated
identically.

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
Site data
Clayey sand, para-brown soils,
Soil type humus share 3.1 %
Annual rainfall: 530 mm
Climate Average temperature: 8.6 °C
A B C D

Plot A is cultivated conventionally with the plough, the plots

B, C and D are cultivated with conservation mulch sowing.

Trial results in an overview: Comment to the trials results in Leipzig

On the site characterised by a continental climate, as an
average of the years and crops, the mulch sowing plots
result in equal or higher yields than with the plough
plots.
Working depths between 12 cm and 18 cm, which are
matched to prevailing straw and soil conditions, con-
serve the water reservoir in the top soil.
by Dr. Sven Dutzi, AMAZONEN-Werke
The comparison between conventional and conserva-
tion soil tillage (at comparative working depths, plot A
to plot B) shows that the plot yields are about identical.
With an increasing reduction in the working intensity
within the conservation system, however, the yield lev-
el initially clearly increases (see plot C, 12 cm working
depth), then it heavily drops (see plot D, 8 cm working
depth). Within the conservation system the plot with
the minimum intensity also results in the lowest yield.
Parallels also show with regard to working intensity
when sowing. The sowing technology with the mini-
mum intensity (plot A to D with variation 3) results in
the minimum yields over the trials period.
5. Trials results: Constantly high yields at clear cost advantages 34 | 35

Table 5: Trials plots on soil tillage, seedbed preparation (Leipzig site)

Block A Block B Block C Block D

Plots A1,A2,A3 Plots B1, B2, B3 Plots C1, C2, C3 Plots D1, D2, D3
Plough deep Mulch sowing 18 cm Mulch sowing 12 cm Mulch sowing 8 cm
Stubble working Catros 7 cm deep
Primary soil tillage Plough 22 cm deep Mulch sowing 18 cm deep Mulch sowing 12 cm deep Mulch sowing 8 cm deep
Seedbed preparation
and sowing
Plots 1 Active sowing combination: Rotary cultivator combination (KG-combi) with RoTeC coulters, 5 to 7 cm deep
Plots 2 Passive sowing combination: Cirrus, Cirrus discs 5 to 7 cm deep
Plots 3 Citan solo seed drill, without pre-working cultivation element

Table 6: Yield results (dt/ha) in comparison (Leipzig site)

Block A Block B Block C Block D

Plough deep Mulch sowing 18 cm Mulch sowing 12 cm Mulch sowing 8 cm
Plot A1 Plot A2 Plot A3 Plot B1 Plot B2 Plot B3 Plot C1 Plot C2 Plot C3 Plot D1 Plot D2 Plot D3
Year Crop KG-combi Cirrus Citan KG-combi Cirrus Citan KG-combi Cirrus Citan KG-combi Cirrus Citan
2002 Barley 79 77 82 84 85 82 86 89 86 81 87 –
2004 Wheat 105 104 99 98 103 104 101 95 97 100 99 92
2005 Barley 95 94 98 90 97 96 91 97 93 97 95 84
2006 Rape 52 49 – 52 52 – 59 58 – 56 58 –
Average 83 81 – 81 84 – 84 85 – 83 84 –

With the trials the change from conventional to conser- In addition, measurements of working time and fuel
vation cultivation initially resulted in lower field emer- consumption which had been carried out in the course
gences. Main reasons were the higher straw coverage of the trials in Leipzig showed the large saving poten-
on the soil surface and the toxins freed through the rot- tials which result from the use of conservation systems,
ting straw. However, between the different intensities the detailed description of which can be found on pages
of conservation cultivation (plot B to D) the field emer- 40 and 41.
gences only differed to a minimum. In most cases the
initial lower field emergence could be compensated for
later on by the crops – compensation by means of til-
lering or the formation of side shoots. With decreasing
operational intensity, however, this became more diffi-
cult as it can be seen at the transfer from 12 cm working
depth to 8 m working depth..
 3C – the crop establishment concept

AMAZONE trials on the Huntlosen, Site data

Lower Saxony site
Soil Humus sand with soil ratings of 24 points
The location Huntlosen in Lower Saxony is representa- Climate Annual rainfall: 750 mm
tive for arable farming in progressive regions on light
soils with small fields. The trial site is on the farm Heiko 2000 Barley
Boning/Huntlosen. The approx. 100 ha sized farm runs 1994 S-Rape
2001 Rye
milk production and pig fattening. Slurry is applied 1995 Barley
2002 Maize
to the fields and the straw is completely removed. 1996 Potatoes
Crop rotation 2003 Barley
Besides the plough and mulching plots also a direct 1997 Triticale
2004 Winter bird rape
sowing plot was investigated in Huntlosen. 1998 Rye
2005 Barley
1999 Maize
2006 Barley

Pict. 3: Site Huntlosen: Average grain yields 2004–2006

dt/ha
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
78.0 78.3 78.6 72.9 75.8 72.9
Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 3 Plot 4 Plot 5 Plot 6

Trials results in an overview:

Conservation soil tillage allows the long term successful

practice on light soils.

Mulch sowing exceeds the yield level of the plough

plots.

Cereal mulch sowing resulted in the highest yields.

The comparatively wide crop rotation is of decisive

importance for a success of the conservation plots.

Deep loosening with spring cultivations is an advan-

tage.

Time saved by renouncing the plough (breaking of work

peaks) is important for higher outputs in intensive
farming regions.
5. Trials results: Constantly high yields at clear cost advantages 36 | 37

Table 7: Trial variations at soil tillage, seedbed preparation and sowing, Huntlosen site

Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 3 Plot 4 Plot 5 Plot 6

Plough sowing Mulch sowing Mulch sowing Direct sowing Reduced mulch Normal on farm
with top soil sowing with the plough
deep loosening
Catros Catros Catros Catros Catros
Stubble working –
5 cm deep 5 cm deep 5 cm deep 5 cm deep 5 cm deep
Plough Rotary cultivator Deep loosener Plough
Primary soil tillage – –
26 cm deep 12 cm deep 26 cm deep 26 cm deep
Seedbed preparation KG-combi with KG-combi with KG-combi with KE-combi with
Primera DMC Primera DMC
and sowing RoTeC-coulter RoTeC-coulter RoTeC-coulter suffolk coulter

Table 8: Variable gross margins, working time requirement and fuel consumption, Huntlosen site average values
(Yield multiplied with the producers’ prices of the individual years, plus premium)

Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 3 Plot 4 Plot 5 Plot 6

Plough sowing Mulch sowing Mulch sowing Direct sowing Reduced mulch Normal on farm
with top soil sowing with the plough
deep loosening
Variable gross margins
Euro/ha 871 931 919 902 912 850
Working time requirement 2.5 1.5 1.7 0.7 1.0 2.5
manpower h/ha*
Fuel consumption l/ha* 45 29 32 10 14 42
* values for complete cultivation: soil tillage and sowing

Comment to the trials results in Huntlosen
by Dipl.-Ing. Jan Juister
Soil cultivation without a plough is possible on light,
sandy soils. In the average of the year no decisive yield
differences could be noted between mulch sowing and
sowing following the plough. However, with mulch sow-
ing the highest variable gross margin was achieved. With
the average over several years it was approx. 80 Euro
higher when mulch sowing than with the system usually
on the farm. Due to crop rotation disease problems did
not occur and a n extreme change in weed proliferation
could not be noted.
Saving working time plays an important role especially
on intensively worked farms as is, also, reduced fuel
consumption of great importance. The additional advan-
tages, such as better traffic carrying ability of the soils,
little erosion and higher efficiency also had an effect in
Huntlosen. It turned out that on good soils with relevant
clay and humus content a deeper loosening can easier be
renounced than on critical sites such as, for example,
sandy soils with little humus content or with poor drain-
age.
It was possible on the very humus rich sandy site at
Huntlosen over several years to renounce deep loosen-
ing, however, here the danger of a gradual humus
decrease exists. Therefore, in the long term also this
soil should be annually loosened at changing depths of
10 to 25 cm. However, one can renounce the inversion
of the soil. For maize a quick soil warming in the spring
is important, so that here also a deep loosening in
spring makes sense.

AMAZONE trials on the Petersdorf site
(Fehmarn, Schleswig-Holstein)
The site Fehmarn in Schleswig-Holstein is representa-
tive of the intensive arable farming in high yield regions
and on areas with medium sized fields. The trial site is
situated on the farm of Klaus Olderog in Petersdorf on
the Isle of Fehmarn. Since 2000 different mulch sowing
variations with different intensities and working depths
and a direct sowing variation are investigated here and
analysed by the Federal Institution of Research for Agri-
culture (FAL) Braunschweig. A plough variation is not
included. So, the test question here is: Is lasting mulch
sowing even with large amounts of straw in cereal crop
rotations possible?
Fehmarn is one of the most productive arable farming
regions in Germany. Good soils, maritime climate with-
out extreme variations in temperature, sufficient mois-
ture supply and long summer days result in often extraor-
dinarily high yields which are accompanied by very large
amounts of straw. Usually the straw remains in the field,
so that straw problems can be well examined here. Since
1990 all cultivation has been done without the plough
on this trial farm.
3C – the crop establishment concept
Site data
Soil Sandy clay 2.1 % humus share
Annual rainfall: 540 mm
Climate Average temperature: 8.3 °C
Crop rotation Winter wheat, winter wheat, winter rape
Trials results in an overview:
With wheat following wheat the yield increased with
a more intensive cultivation and the deeper the soil is
worked. Large amounts of straw, which could be more
than 10 t/ha, remaining in the field, required good
incorporation.
Rape does not require so deep a soil tillage. The yield
can decrease with increasing soil tillage intensity. Pre-
condition is, however, that the soil does not have any
soil compaction or patches of poor soil cultivation.
This is the case on Fehmarn due to soil structure pro-
tecting cultivations and a good lime supply.
The success of mulch sowing decisively depends on the
straw management. During harvest it has to be ensured
that the straw is chopped into short pieces and that it
is evenly distributed. Chop lengths of about 10 cm have
proven to be sufficient.
5. Trials results: Constantly high yields at clear cost advantages 38 | 39

Table 9: Trial plots on soil tillage, seedbed preparation and sowing, Petersdorf site

Plots 1a, 1b Plots 2a, 2b Plots 3a, 3b

Mulch sowing shallow Mulch sowing medium deep Mulch sowing with top soil deep
loosening
Catros Catros Catros
Stubble working 5 cm deep 5 cm deep 5 cm deep
Centaur
Centaur
Primary soil tillage – 10–12 cm deep
10–12 cm deep 20–22 cm deep
Seedbed preparation
and sowing
Plot a Active sowing combination: Rotary cultivator combination (KG-combi) with RoTeC coulter, 5–7 cm deep
Plots b Passive sowing combination: Cirrus, Cirrus discs 5–7 cm deep

Table 10: Wheat yields (dt/ha) in comparison:

Active (KG-Combi with RoTeC coulters) and passive till and drill combination (Cirrus), Petersdorf site

Plots 1a, 1b Plots 2a, 2b Plots 3a, 3b

Mulch sowing shallow Mulch sowing medium deep Mulch sowing with top soil deep loosening
Plot 1a Plot 1b Plot 2a Plot 2b Plot 3a Plot 3b
Year KG-combi with RoTeC Cirrus KG-combi with RoTeC Cirrus KG-combi with RoTeC Cirrus
2000 132 128 141 132 156 143
2001 97 92 93 106 98 93
2002 103 100 106 106 108 106
2003 84 95 92 92 95 92
2004 121 120 128 134 133 130
2005 107 109 113 113 115 112
2006 83 78 99 97 107 101
Average 104 102 110 111 116 111

Table 11: Rape yields (dt/ha) in comparison:

Active (KG-Combi with RoTeC coulter) and passive till and drill combination (Cirrus), Petersdorf site

Plot 1a, 1b Plot 2a, 2b Plot 3a, 3b

Mulch sowing shallow Mulch sowing medium deep Mulch sowing with top soil deep loosening
Plot 1a Plot 1b Plot 2a Plot 2b Plot 3a Plot 3b
Year KG-combi with RoTeC Cirrus KG-combi with RoTeC Cirrus KG-combi with RoTeC Cirrus
2000 51 47 50 49 43 43
2001 52 52 52 52 52 52
2002 42 46 46 48 41 41
2003 43 45 44 47 47 47
2004 51 56 50 56 50 50
2005 48 50 48 50 49 49
2006 49 48 50 49 50 50
Average 48 49 49 50 48 47

Comment on the trials results in Petersdorf
by lecturer Dr. Hans-Heinrich Voßhenrich, Federal Research
institution for Agriculture (FAL)
The trial results from Petersdorf show that in the long
term one can maintain a high yield level through mulch
sowing. The experiences from the trials show, amongst
other things, that it is possible to sow after roughly a
10 cm deep intensive mixing and loosening if the soil
quality means that a deeper loosening is not required.
The following procedure has proven itself:
1. After shallow stubble work with high re-consolida-
tion optimises the volunteer grain emergence.
2. Mixing and loosening, depth set, depending on site
and straw incorporation.
3. Chemical weed control directly prior to sowing.
4. Sowing either active or passive, depending on farm
size and site conditions.
In addition various other influencing factors have to be
considered. For instance, the rotation “rape after wheat”
allows scope for the intensity of soil tillage. It should be
ensured that the quality of seed placement is not limit-
ed by straw influence. Though rape, due to its strong
compensation behaviour, will survive, for safety reasons
an intensive straw incorporation at a sufficiently deep
loosening is recommendable.
The rotation “wheat after wheat” presents itself similar
to “rape after wheat”, as also here straw in the seedbed
may act as a limiting factor. For guaranteed field emer-
gence and yield the plot with a working depth of approx.
10 cm has proven itself as being reliable. A deeper opera-
tion did not result in any yield increase on this high
yield site.
Usually the passive mulch sowing (Cirrus) requires one
or two intensively mixing soil tillage operational passes
beforehand. When active mulch sowing (rotary cultiva-
tor-combination) on the other hand, is better able to
compensate for the adverse effect of the straw by more
extensive soil tillage.
3C – the crop establishment concept
Results regarding fuel consumption
and working time (Leipzig)
With continuously increasing fuel prices potential pos-
sible savings are of special interest in arable farming.
Therefore, in 2005 on the trials site at BBG Leipzig
AMAZONE carried out comprehensive measurements
in co-operation with the German Agricultural Society
(DLG). The trials and division of the trials areas at BBG
Leipzig have already been described on pages 34 and 35.
The investigations show that the different systems offer
considerable saving potentials. When stubble working
initially no significant differences are shown regarding
the fuel consumption. The consumption data only shows
a minimum deviation within the range of 3.6 to 3.9 l/ha.
However, the figures show that in stubble work with the
Catros compact disc cultivator, compared with an opera-
tion with standard cultivators, saving potentials of 4 to
5 l diesel/ha are possible.
Clear differences in fuel consumption, however, show
these measurements in primary soil tillage. So, with
conventional cultivation using the plough consumption
values of 17 to 17.7 l/ha and 21.5 to 22.2 l/ha (with an
additional packer on the plough) were registered.
In conservation systems, on the other hand, the meas-
urements result in clearly lower consumption values
which are between 10.2 l/ha and 4.3 l/ha (depending on
implement type and intensity). This results in differenc-
es of up to 17 l/ha compared with operation with the
plough. Realistic and in practical operation the saving
potentials amount to approx. 7 l/ha. This is shown in the
direct comparison between the plots A (with plough)
and B (without plough), because on these plots the op-
erational intensities were about the same. If one adds
the packer operation on the plough one even gets figures
of approx. 11 l/ha.
In general the consumption values of the active sowing
combination and the trailed Cirrus PacTeC seed drill
with integrated compact disc harrow are low. The differ-
ences between these two systems are only 0.5 to 1 l/ha
in favour of the PacTeC seed drill. Extremely low con-
sumption values result from the use of the solo seed drill
because here no seedbed preparation takes place. In
general, there is only little scope by the selection of
sowing technology, regarding the reduction in fuel con-
sumption. The question for the correct mechanisation
of the sowing operation is rather more determined by
the local side factors.
5. Trials results: Constantly high yields at clear cost advantages 40 | 41

Pict. 4: Fuel consumption and working time required of the systems

(Results of the DLG test institute [Groß-Umstadt] and FAL [Braunschweig])
Plot A Plot A Plot B Plot C Plot D
Plough without packer Plough with packer Conservation with Centaur Conservation with Centaur Conservation with Catros
26 cm 26 cm 18 cm 12 cm 8 cm

35
Fuel consumption litres/ha

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
23–27 litres/ha 28–32 litres/ha 17–21 litres/ha 14–18 litres/ha 10–14 litres/ha
Working time requirement minutes/ha

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Stubble working with Re-consolidation/packing Sowing

Compact disc cultivator 6 cm Conventional Plough/primary soil tillage 1 active sowing combination
Conservation soil tillage 2 passive large area seed drill
3 solo seed drill

Summarising the total fuel consumption of the systems Apart from the more favourable fuel consumption also
shows that operation with the plough requires approx. the working time for the total systems are reduced in
7 l diesel/ha more than operation without the plough. favour of cultivation without the plough. For a mulch
The fuel consumption of the individual total systems is sowing system it is halved, with even savings of up to
decisively influenced by the kind of primary soil tillage. 60% being realistic.
So, the key for success is the choice and intensity of the
primary soil tillage.
Trials results in an overview:

With a conservation system without the plough the

working time requirement can be halved.

With soil tillage and sowing up to 50 % fuel is saved.


6.
AMAZONE –
Methodical system technology
Soil tillage, sowing, fertilisation and crop protection –
with AMAZONE technology the different individual
operational steps result in optimally matched total
systems. Valid for both conventional or conservation
soil tillage: “Saving from the system! ”
The decisive criteria when combining system chains are
the prevailing features: area and field sizes, farm size and
structure. Here AMAZONE meets the different demands
with a wide range of working widths and capacities. In
addition a vast number of machines allow the multi-
Pict. 5: Operational intensity depending on
Climate and soil
moist changeable
Climate
Operational intensity . . . decreasing
moist changeable
Soil
weak structure
With regard to Dr. H. H. Voßhenrich and others
3C – the crop establishment concept
functional use for several operational passes, so that also
smaller size farms are able to make good use of the tech-
nology.
Even more the mechanisation will differ regarding soil
conditions and climatic regions. Moist soils require a
more intensive cultivation than changeable or dry soils.
It is also obvious that the system procedures looked at
in the continental humid climate in Middle Europe is
completely different from that, for example, in the arid
climatic zones of Eastern Europe. Because with decreas-
ing availability of water and decreasing yield level also
the demand on the soil tillage intensity is reduced.
In this way, for example, a system chain consisting of a
Cenius cultivator and an active PTO driven KG-AD rotary
cultivator-sowing combination is typical for the smaller
farm sizes and high cultivation intensity in continental
dry climatic conditions. Catros, Centaur and Cirrus, on the
other hand, represent a combination which is ideally
suited for the medium operational intensity for larger
farm structures in dry climatic conditions. Or the Primera
DMC direct sowing machine: It is the ideal solution
there, where low demands on intensity and lack of water
dominate the farm situation.
dry
stable structure
6. az – Methodical system technology 42 | 43

Intelligent crop production

Soil tillage Sowing Fertilisation Crop protection

Application orientated concepts

Expert knowledge of the farm manager

Individual system solutions for the farm

On the following pages are presented the best opti-

mised systems that the AMAZONE programme offers
depending on farm size. Here one can find the optimum
combination, not only for current farm requirements,
but for a future orientated operation.
 3C – the crop establishment concept

3C technology
for areas up to 100 ha
Both for stubble working and also for primary soil tillage
a three-row mulch cultivator is the ideal machine. This
universal implement provides share systems which can
be matched to the different working depths and this
offers also a high saving potential in both wearing and
fuel costs. Pict. 6: Fuel consumption of the machines in the system
For sowing technology the use of an active sowing com- Base data
bination consisting of rotary harrow or rotary cultivator
with mounted or pack top seed drill makes economical Procedure evaluation with the aid of energy consumption data
sense. By choosing mulch sowing capable disc coulters Measurements by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) on AMAZONE
the door for all other possible cultivation systems is trials plots at BBG Leipzig from 22nd–27th August, 2005
kept open. Field: Molkereischlag, field size 43.3 ha, soil rating 60 points
Fuel consumption:
The increasing working depths results in a fuel increase
and the deeper soil tillage also results in a higher fuel Rotary cultivator-seed
Mulch cultivator 8 cm Mulch cultivator 13 cm drill combination
consumption for the sowing operation. The reason being
that the more intensive soil loosening results in higher 6.81 7.10 6.63
slippage.

In general, however, a diesel consumption of 21.5 or Rotary cultivator-seed

Mulch cultivator 8 cm Mulch cultivator 17 cm drill combination
23 l/ha is still at a very low level. There are only slight
differences between system 1 and 2 so that the opti- 6.79 9.30 6.86
mum working depth for soil tillage clearly depends on
the amount of straw to be incorporated.
0 5 10 15 20 25
Litres diesel/ha
Stubble working Conservation soil tillage Sowing
6. az – Methodical system technology 44 | 45

Rules for success System technology

Harvest

Stubble working Wing share or mulch cultivator

• Exploitation of the residual moisture
• Interruption of capillarity
• Soil tillage as shallow as possible but covering full area
• Sufficient re-consolidation
• Creation of optimum germination conditions for volunteer
grain and weed seeds

Soil tillage Wing share or mulch cultivator Rotary harrow or cultivator

• Even incorporation of straw and stubble residues
• Thinning out soil-straw mixture
• Improvement of straw rotting
• Mechanical initial emergence control
• Sufficient re-consolidation

Sowing Gravity seed drill with WS (suffolk) or roll disc coulters

• Maintaining even seed placement depth
• Exact distribution between/within the rows
• Restoration of water drainage
• Sufficient seed coverage with fine soil

Fertilisation Centrifugal fertiliser spreader

• Gentle handling of fertiliser
• Accurate lateral and longitudinal distribution of the fertiliser
• Re-check of application rate and spread pattern
• Fighting external influences via an insensitive spread pattern
• Professional border and side spreading

Crop protection (and fertilisation) Mounted crop protection sprayer

• Using the correct nozzles for optimum distribution
• Precise selection of application rate
• Waiting for the advantageous application time
• Consideration of distance from the border
• Avoiding application errors by minimised boom movements

Harvest
 3C – the crop establishment concept

3C technology
for area sizes from 100 ha to 300 ha
Stubble working is preferably carried out with a com-
pact disc-harrow. With its high acreage output and the
directly related variable costs (fuel consumption) the
disc cultivators set new milestones.

For the medium deep to deep soil tillage the mulch cul- Pict. 7: Fuel consumption of the machines in the system
tivator is the ideal solution. In preference a three-row
implement to provide a very good loosening and mixing Base data
performance.
System evaluation with the aid of energy consumption data
Depending on the farm structure with a cultivation area Measurements by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) on AMAZONE
of 100 to 300 ha the use of two machines, the compact trials plots at BBG Leipzig from 22nd–27th August, 2005
disc cultivator and the mulch cultivator can make eco- Field: Molkereischlag, field size 43.3 ha, soil rating 60 points
nomical sense. But please also bear in mind the possibility
of a machine co-operation with neighbouring farmers.
Sowing operation is most efficiently carried out with an
Compact disc Rotary cultivator-seed
active combination consisting of rotary harrow or rotary cultivator – Mulch cultivator 13 cm drill combination
cultivator with gravity or pneumatic seed drill. 6 cm
3.66 7.99 6.63
Fuel consumption:
The differences in consumption between the variations
shown in the diagram depend on the different working Compact disc Rotary cultivator-seed
cultivator – Mulch cultivator 17 cm drill combination
depths. A more intensive soil loosening results in a higher 6 cm
slippage. And here also it is valid that the amount of 3.71 10.29 6.86
straw to be incorporated is the most important criterion
for choosing the working depth.
0 5 10 15 20 25
Litres diesel/ha
Stubble working Conservation soil tillage Sowing
6. az – Methodical system technology 46 | 47

Rules for success System technology

Harvest

Stubble working Compact disc cultivator

• Exploitation of the residual moisture
• Interruption of capillarity
• Soil tillage as shallow as possible but covering full area
• Sufficient re-consolidation
• Creation of optimum germination conditions for volunteer
grain and weed seeds

Soil tillage Mulch cultivator

• Even incorporation of straw and stubble residues
• Thinning out soil-straw mixture
• Improvement of straw rotting
• Mechanical initial emergence control
• Sufficient re-consolidation

Sowing Rotary cultivator-sowing combination – gravity or pneumatic

• Maintaining even seed placement depth
• Exact distribution between/within the rows
• Restoration of water drainage
• Sufficient seed coverage with fine soil

Fertilisation Centrifugal fertiliser spreader

• Gentle handling of fertiliser
• Accurate lateral and longitudinal distribution of the fertiliser
• Re-check of application rate and spread pattern
• Fighting external influences via an insensitive spread pattern
• Professional border and side spreading

Crop protection (and fertilisation) Mounted crop protection sprayer

• Using the correct nozzles for optimum distribution
• Precise selection of application rate
• Waiting for the advantageous application time
• Consideration of distance from the border
• Avoiding application errors by minimised boom movements

Harvest
 3C – the crop establishment concept

3C technology
for areas from 300 ha to 500 ha
For these farm sizes the efficient specialist implements Pict. 8: Fuel consumption of the machines in the system
such as the compact disc harrow for the shallow stubble
work and tine cultivator-disc harrow combination for Base data
soil cultivation are the ideal machines.
System evaluation with the aid of energy consumption data
For sowing operation there are two alternatives: Either Measurements by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) on AMAZONE
an active sowing combination with large tank volume trials plots at BBG Leipzig from 22nd–27th August, 2005
and high efficiency disc coulters for higher forward Field: Molkereischlag, field size 43.3 ha, soil rating 60 points
speeds and acreage outputs. Or you make use a seed drill
with passive pre-working operational tools. Here, please
bear in mind that this solution requires higher demands Compact disc
cultivator – Mulch cultivator 13 cm PacTeC coulter seed drill
on straw management, shallow stubble working and soil 6 cm
tillage. 3.73 7.99 5.78

Fuel consumption: Compact disc

cultivator – Mulch cultivator 17 cm PacTeC coulter seed drill
Also here the working depth of the soil tillage is of deci- 6 cm
sive influence on the level of fuel consumption in the 3.81 10,30 6.05
total system. Alternative solutions to the sowing opera-
tion show that, by utilising a seed drill with a passive Compact disc
Rotary cultivator-seed
cultivator – Mulch cultivator 13 cm
pre-sowing cultivation, fuel savings of 10 to 15% are 6 cm drill combination
possible. For the following sowing operation the more 3.66 7.99 6.63
intensive soil loosening results in a higher slippage and
thus somewhat higher consumption values. Compact disc
cultivator – Mulch cultivator 17 cm Rotary cultivator-seed
6 cm drill combination
3.71 10.29 6.86

0 5 10 15 20 25
Litres diesel/ha
Stubble working Conservation soil tillage Sowing
6. az – Methodical system technology 48 | 49

Rules for success System technology

Harvest

Stubble working Compact disc cultivator

• Exploitation of the residual moisture
• Interruption of capillarity
• Soil tillage as shallow as possible but covering full area
• Sufficient re-consolidation
• Creation of optimum germination conditions for volunteer
grain and weed seeds

Soil tillage Cultivator-disc harrow combination

• Even incorporation of straw and stubble residues
• Thinning out soil-straw mixture
• Improvement of straw rotting
• Mechanical initial emergence control
• Sufficient re-consolidation

Sowing High capacity sowing combination or large area seed drill

• Maintaining even seed placement depth
• Exact distribution between/within the rows
• Restoration of water drainage
• Sufficient seed coverage with fine soil

Fertilisation Centrifugal fertiliser spreader

• Gentle handling of fertiliser
• Accurate lateral and longitudinal distribution of the fertiliser
• Re-check of application rate and spread pattern
• Fighting external influences via an insensitive spread pattern
• Professional border and side spreading

Crop protection (and fertilisation) Trailed crop protection sprayer

• Using the correct nozzles for optimum distribution
• Precise selection of application rate
• Waiting for the advantageous application time
• Consideration of distance from the border
• Avoiding application errors by minimised boom movements

Harvest
 3C – the crop establishment concept

3C technology
for areas under cultivation
of more than 500 ha Pict. 9: Fuel consumption of the machines in the system
Arable farms with more than 500 hectares ideally operate
in an individual machine chain. A solo machine carries Base data
out the soil tillage, for sowing passive systems are used.
The advantages of this system combination are huge System evaluation with the aid of energy consumption
acreage outputs, low fuel consumption and high opera- Measurements by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) on
tional quality. For sowing rape the precision seeding AMAZONE trials plots at BBG Leipzig from 22nd–27th August, 2005
technology is an alternative, provided this technology is Field: Molkereischlag, field size 43.3 ha, soil rating 60 points
available anyway, for sowing sugar beet or maize.

The less the intensity at sowing the higher are the de- Compact disc
cultivator – Mulch cultivator 13 cm Precision seeder
mands on, above all, the straw incorporation during the 6 cm
preceding operational passes. Therefore universal ma- 3.63 7.99 2.59
chines are not recommended but the specific machines
such as the compact disc cultivator for stubble working Compact disc
cultivator – Mulch cultivator 17 cm Precision seeder
and a tine cultivator-disc harrow combination for soil 6 cm
tillage. 3.74 10.23 2.73

Fuel consumption: Compact disc

cultivator – Mulch cultivator 13 cm PacTeC coulter seed drill
The decisive influence on the amount of fuel consump- 6 cm
tion is here again the working depth of soil tillage. 3.73 7.99 5.78
When using a precision single seeder for sowing rape
the fuel consumption of the total system can even be Compact disc
cultivator – Mulch cultivator 17 cm PacTeC coulter seed drill
reduced under the limit of 15 l/ha. 6 cm
3.81 10.30 6.05

0 5 10 15 20 25
Litres diesel/ha
Stubble working Conservation soil tillage Sowing
6. az – Methodical system technology 50 | 51

Rules for success System technology

Harvest

Stubble working Compact disc cultivator

• Exploitation of the residual moisture
• Interruption of capillarity
• Soil tillage as shallow as possible but covering full area
• Sufficient re-consolidation
• Creation of optimum germination conditions for volunteer
grain and weed seeds

Soil tillage Cultivator-disc harrow combination

• Even incorporation of straw and stubble residues
• Thinning out soil-straw mixture
• Improvement of straw rotting
• Mechanical initial emergence control
• Sufficient re-consolidation

Sowing High capacity sowing combination or large area seed drill

• Maintaining even seed placement depth
• Exact distribution between/within the rows
• Restoration of water drainage
• Sufficient seed coverage with fine soil

Fertilisation Centrifugal fertiliser spreader

• Gentle handling of fertiliser
• Accurate lateral and longitudinal distribution of the fertiliser
• Re-check of application rate and spread pattern
• Fighting external influences via an insensitive spread pattern
• Professional border and side spreading

Crop protection (and fertilisation) Trailed crop protection sprayer

• Using the correct nozzles for optimum distribution
• Precise selection of application rate
• Waiting for the advantageous application time
• Consideration of distance from the border
• Avoiding application errors by minimised boom movements

Harvest
 3C – the crop establishment concept

3C technology for contractors

For many years contractors and machine co-operatives Pict. 10: Fuel consumption of the machines in the system
have been the competent service providers within the
range of sowing technology. A great deal of the maize Base data
or beet cultivation is already carried out by them. System evaluation with the aid of energy consumption data
Measurements by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) on
At the moment additional operational opportunities AMAZONE trials plots at BBG Leipzig from 22nd–27th August, 2005
open up because some farmers – above all those in in-
tensive regions – switch over also for stubble working Field: Molkereischlag, field size 43.3 ha, soil rating 60 points
and soil tillage to the use of a contractor’s machine due
Compact disc
to the increased costs. Because also they want to utilise cultivator – Mulch cultivator 13 cm Precision seeder
6 cm
optimum technology, in order to better meet the in- 3.63 7.99 2.59
creased demands on straw management and the quality
Compact disc
of the individual operational passes. Also when sowing cultivator – Mulch cultivator 17 cm Precision seeder
6 cm
barley there is a trend to have this carried out by the 3.74 10.23 2.73
contractor.
Compact disc
cultivator – Mulch cultivator 13 cm PacTeC coulter seed drill
6 cm
It is recommended to use for the different operational 3.73 7.99 5.78
passes specialist machines. This enables the full use to
Compact disc
be made of the potential with regard to operational cultivator – Mulch cultivator 17 cm PacTeC coulter seed drill
quality, area output, but, of course, also to save fuel. 6 cm
3.81 10.30 6.05
With the sowing technology for cereals you can choose,
depending on area required and customer structure Compact disc
cultivator – Mulch cultivator 13 cm Rotary cultivator-seed
6 cm drill combination
between the active PTO driven combinations in working
3.66 7.99 6.63
widths up to 6 m or a passive sowing system.
Compact disc
cultivator – Mulch cultivator 17 cm Rotary cultivator-seed
6 cm drill combination
3.71 10.29 6.86

0 5 10 15 20 25
Litres diesel/ha
Stubble working Conservation soil tillage Sowing
6. az – Methodical system technology 52 | 53

Rules for success System technology

Harvest

Stubble working Compact disc cultivator

• Exploitation of the residual moisture
• Interruption of capillarity
• Soil tillage as shallow as possible but covering full area
• Sufficient re-consolidation
• Creation of optimum germination conditions for volunteer
grain and weed seeds

Soil tillage Tine cultivator-disc harrow combination or mulch cultivator

• Even incorporation of straw and stubble residues
• Thinning out soil-straw mixture
• Improvement of straw rotting
• Mechanical initial emergence control
• Sufficient re-consolidation

Sowing High efficiency sowing combination or seed drill or precision seeder

• Maintaining even seed placement depth
• Exact distribution between/within the rows
• Restoration of water drainage
• Sufficient seed coverage with fine soil

Fertilisation Large area bulk material spreader trailed or mounted

• Gentle handling of fertiliser
• Accurate lateral and longitudinal distribution of the fertiliser
• Re-check of application rate and spread pattern
• Fighting external influences via an insensitive spread pattern
• Professional border and side spreading

Crop protection (and fertilisation) Trailed crop protection sprayer or self-propelled machine
• Using the correct nozzles for optimum distribution
• Precise selection of application rate
• Waiting for the advantageous application time
• Consideration of distance from the border
• Avoiding application errors by minimised boom movements

Harvest

Primera DMC in 9 m working width for direct sowing, mulch sowing and conventional sowing
3C technology
for different climatic zones
Seen European and world wide one has to make a dis-
tinction between the different climatic zones. Because,
depending on amount of rainfall, temperature pattern
and availability of water completely different demands
are made on soil tillage and sowing technology whereby
there are, of course, no clear dividing lines between the
individual climatic zones. Whether continental, Medi-
terranean or continental arid climates – the AMAZONE
programme offers for all conditions the optimum system
solutions.
The table describes the climatic conditions and shows
that with increasing temperatures and decreasing rain-
falls also the depth and intensity for soil tillage and sow-
ing decrease. Thus a moderate climate, like in Western
Europe, requires a relatively high intensity of soil tillage
in order to achieve high yields. Here the compact disc
cultivator, the cultivator and active or passive sowing
combinations are used.
In Mediterranean climatic conditions, such as in Africa
and Southern Europe, rainfall and yield level are inferior,
the temperatures higher. Here the soil should not be
worked that deep in order to safeguard the water
resources. Usually when sowing, active sowing technol-
ogy is rarely utilised but rather mulch sowing or direct
sowing methods.
3C – the crop establishment concept
The continental arid climate is accompanied by an even
higher dryness, mostly cold winters and short summers.
The consequence: Almost only spring crops are culti-
vated. Determined by history here very large farm struc-
tures prevail. Therefore cultivation is carried out not
only with a substantially reduced intensity but also with
larger working widths and highest acreage outputs.
At the same time there is an additional difference
between the zones west and east from the Ural, the
mountain range which is regarded as the geographic
border between Europe and Asia. West of the Ural, for
example, in Russia, Belarus and in Ukraine the yield
level is 3 to 4 t/ha so that the reduced mulch sowing
makes sense. Here Catros and possibly the Centaur are
used, as is the seed drill Citan or Cirrus. On the other
side of the Ural rainfall and yield expectations are even
smaller. If anything at all only very slight soil tillage
takes place, with mostly the Primera DMC direct sowing
machine being used on its own.
6. az – Methodical system technology 54 | 55

Pict. 11: Climatic zones in

an overview

cultivation areas with

continental climate
rainfall < 500 mm

cultivation areas with

maritime climate
rainfall > 500 mm

Table 12: Climate zones and demand on technology

Continental arid climate

Moderate climate Mediterranean climate
West of the Ural East of the Ural
Local region Middle Europe Africa, Southern Europe Russia and Belarus, Ukraine Asia
Rainfall/year 500–1,000 mm 300–700 mm 400–500 mm 300–450 mm
little rainfall, increasing drought, increasing drought,
Sufficient rainfall,
Climate characteristics higher temperatures, mostly cold winters, mostly cold winters,
medium temperatures
weakly developed winters short and hot summers short and hot summers
high proportion of winter winter sowing large proportion
Crop rotations exclusively spring sowing
sowing close crop rotations and spring sowing of spring sowing
Yield level grain 5–12 t/ha 3–7 t/ha 3–4 t/ha 1–2 t/ha
large working widths,
large working widths,
relatively large working reduced working depth, high acreage outputs,
Soil tillage high acreage outputs,
depth, high intensity less intensity little intensity,
direct sowing
reduced mulch sowing
Mulch sowing or direct
Short disc harrow,
sowing, with sowing Catros, possibly Centaur,
cultivator, Catros and Citan,
Technology utilised technology on possibly sowing technology
active and passive Primera DMC
larger row spacing and Citan or Cirrus
sowing technology
other coulter types
3C – the crop establishment concept
7. Practitioners report about their experiences with az machinery 56 | 57

7.
Practitioners report
about their experiences
with AMAZONE machinery

In our practice reports we introduce to you different

arable farms which utilise AMAZONE machines for soil
cultivation. The reports show the variety of conditions
and the corresponding handling of the systems in prac-
tice: whether with or without the plough – AMAZONE
machines are always used and operate competently not
only due to their high acreage outputs.
 3C – the crop establishment concept

Catros and Cenius “For us, soil tillage without the plough makes sense,
above all because of the increased efficiency, the protec-
on a mixed farm tion against erosion and cost saving”, this is the opinion
of Dirk Westrup in D-49143 Bissendorf. At Westrup-Koch
GbR Dirk Westrup is responsible for arable farming in
the general organisation. The farm cultivates almost
700 ha. Experiences with soil tillage without the plough
are available over about six years.

“Our soils vary very much”, Dirk Westrup says, “therefore

they are cultivated differently. Partly we own sandy soils,
sandy clays or silt soils.” At the moment, the Westrup-
Koch GbR cultivates about 140 hectares in total without
the plough. Above all on sandy and in addition high
Westrup-Koch GbR groundwater soils the plough is only rarely not used.
“Sandy soils quickly tend to compaction. As we cultivate
Site D-49143 Bissendorf, Lower Saxony here often maize and Triticale in the crop rotation which
are both susceptible to fusarium, we mostly plough.”
Farm size 690 ha
On other areas the Westrup-Koch GbR cultivates the silt
350 dairy cows, approx. 350 calves and cattle, containing fields which are situated to a large extent in
Animal production 10 breeding bulls hilly terrain and which are cultivated without the plough
for now several years: “Due to the fact that we do not
Employees 6 workers, 2 trainees plough these fields, we managed to clearly reduce the
erosion problem”, Dirk Westrup confirms.
Annual rainfall 750 to 800 mm, well distributed
An additional criterion for decision is, what kind of crop
75 to 150 m above sea level, is cultivated. “Rape is partly cultivated without the
Altitude somewhat hilly terrain plough, however, for example, with barley after wheat
the plough is still used. With barley after wheat there is
90 to 95 dt/ha wheat, 80 dt/ha barley, normally volunteer wheat in the grain which then might
Average yield level 40 to 50 dt/ha rape increase the moisture percentage when harvesting. It is
then easier to sow wheat after wheat. This functions
Grassland approx. 140 ha
Maize approx. 130 ha best when the wheat straw has been harvested. Here
Division of the Set a side approx. 40 ha also an increased risk of fusarium exists but with a tar-
area under cultivation Wheat approx. 160 ha geted variety choice this can be reduced or by spraying
2007 Rape approx. 90 ha during blossom time it can be prevented.” As an addi-
Barley approx. 80 ha tional particularity of the farm Dirk Westrup mentions
Triticale approx. 22 ha “that we cultivate wheat on 130 to 140 hectares wheat,
barley and Triticale as multiplication seed, there with-
out using the plough it is more difficult to keep the
crops clean.”

Due to the larger amounts of straw and the increased

risk of fusarium after grain maize or CCM the plough is
also used. On the other hand after forage maize culti-
vations are carried out without the plough. Here the
stubbles are initially worked with a flail-type mulching
machine to improve rotting and to minimise the fusar-
ium risk and then incorporated using the disc harrow
or the cultivator before the new sowing operation is
carried out.
7. Practitioners report about their experiences with az machinery
“It is also of importance to have slugs and mice under
control at cultivation without the plough – in the past
we had to pay dearly in this respect”, Dirk Westrup refers
to a possible problem.
Absolutely irrespective of whether the fields are culti-
vated with or without the plough, the Westrup-Koch
GbR uses a compact disc harrow, the 5 m Catros, and as
the cultivator the 3 m Cenius. Stubble working after
rape is only carried out in very dry weather relatively
quickly in order to ensure a safe soil contact for the
seed. However, in case of sufficient rainfall, they wait
for about two weeks. During this time a great deal of
the volunteer grains emerge which then with the first
operational pass can be incorporated into the surface.
Stubble breaking after grain harvest, however, the
Westrup-Koch GbR carries out as quickly as possibly
after the straw has been harvested. This requires
observing the straw distribution previously done by the
combine harvester. “In general it is good, but there are
occasionally problems when the straw is still damp and
is difficult to chop into short pieces.” Initially slurry
or chicken manure is incorporated. As it is intended
to plough the second operational pass is often always
carried out with the Catros because the efficiency is
58 | 59
Dirk Westrup from Westrup-Koch GbR in Bissendorf
higher than with the cultivator and because the mixing
effect is very good. “Usually we carry out two opera-
tional passes in order to get a maximum of volunteer
grain to emerge as we are also an intensive farm” says
Dirk Westrup. For cultivations without the plough the
second soil tillage is usually done with the Cenius culti-
vator for a deeper working depth. However, the Cenius
is also used before ploughing when the soil may need to
be loosened once more, for example in the tracks.
Dirk Westrup judges the operational quality of AMAZONE
machinery as positive. “The Catros achieves a good mix-
ing-in of plant residues at 6 to 8 cm depth. However, an
even, shallow soil tillage at 3 to 4 cm is also possible.
The Cenius also operates to our entire satisfaction.
We have equipped it with wing shares so we are able
to incorporate the straw evenly into the medium soil
layers.” In front of the 5 m working width Catros trac-
tors of 170 HP or 220 HP are used, in front of the Cenius
machines with 120 or 160 HP. Westrup-Koch GbR carries
out sowing operation mainly with a 3 m combination
consisting of rotary cultivator and Pack Top seed drill
with roll disc coulters following a 160 HP tractor.
Besides the technology Dirk Westrup also highly esti-
mates the more far reaching AMAZONE competence
 3C – the crop establishment concept

for soil tillage systems. “It is good that AMAZONE is

working on a continual development programme and
that they support the farmers in the realisation of
those systems. Also in the technology for crop protec-
tion and fertilisation they are far ahead. From the
developments of the previous years one can see that
this is an innovative company.“

In hillside locations the danger or erosion could considerably

be reduced.

The task of the Cenius cultivator is the deeper tillage of soils.

AMAZONE technology in Hungary

B.M. Tiszamenti Kft.
Location Lácacséke, Hungary

Béla Kiss, employee and manager for agricultural technology:

On approx. 1,700 ha approx. 600 ha winter wheat,

600 ha maize, 250 ha rape, 250 ha sunflower are cul-
tivated. With an annual rainfall of 500 mm the soil
qualities vary from sandy to heavy. Since 2005 for soil
tillage and sowing the Catros, Centaur, KG-AD seed
drill and ED precision airplanter from AMAZONE have
been used. They only plough in the spring for sowing
maize and sunflowers. Sowing winter wheat and rape
in autumn is carried out without the plough to save
costs and time. After a short settling-in period with
the new AMAZONE machines the employees said:
“Good and effective technology, which is also easy to
operate.”
7. Practitioners report about their experiences with az machinery 60 | 61

With Catros and Cirrus

on most heavy soils
“In 1997 we totally changed over to soil tillage with-
out the plough when the machinery ring purchased a
mulch sowing sugar beet drill”, Stefan Ruckelshaußen
remembers, who cultivates in Groß-Gerau 190 ha arable
land. Before that they still ploughed for sugar beet,
spring barley and maize. “Sowing shortly after plough-
ing is virtually impossible because the soil is really too
heavy. When we ploughed earlier there were huge
clods, for a four leg plough we needed 180 HP. So we
only could plough for spring sowing. However, that
had to be done already in autumn so that the frost
could break the soil into small pieces over winter.”
Sowing in the autumn, on the other hand, had already
been done without the plough for a much longer peri-
od, initially with a combination of rotary harrow and
seed drill.

The soil quality reaches from mixed field to heavy field,

from soil rating of 40 to 80 points. In the Upper Rhine
rift valley – former alluvial land – here there are partly
very heavy areas with an increased clay content of up to
65 %, however also some areas with clayey sand. The
mostly heavy soil is the most important reason why
Ruckelshaußen relies on conservation soil tillage. In
addition there is the uneven distribution of rainfalls,
which are in an average of ten years between 500 and
530 mm/year. After a pre-summer drought, approxi-
mately from June, the most of the rain falls in the
autumn. “In autumn it is too wet, sometimes nothing
works, then the soil is very sticky, when one loosens
it once and it rains again into it, then everything is
too late.”
Rickelshaußen cultivates 65 ha of his fields organically
as a separate farm. Here today he manages with the
aid of a special wing share cultivator and a very wide
crop rotation to work without using the plough. On the
remaining 125 ha, which are not organically cultivated,
the crop rotation is substantially closer and exists at
the moment of herbs (parsley), sugar beet, rape and
wheat. Via the exchange of fields with the partners in
his machine cooperative and other farmers cereals and
root crops are cultivated in all fields in an annual rota-
tion. “That goes superbly with soil tillage without
plough, after grain we cultivate either sugar beet or
rape or herbs”, Ruckelshaußen reports. In the long-
term average yields for sugar beet are between 530 and
550 dt, 75 dt for wheat, 55 dt for spring barley and
approx. 40 dt for rape.
For several years Stefan Ruckelshaußen has cultivated his fields
with Catros and Cirrus.
In order to carry out soil tillage and sowing as cost
saving as possible, Ruckelshaußen relies on the advan-
tages of a machine co-operative. In this way, thanks
to the mutual use together with three other farms on
1,100 ha in total the 6 m Catros compact disc cultivator,
a 4.6 m wing share cultivator and the 6 m working
width Cirrus seed drill can be used to full capacity. For
the towing tractor a Fendt 924 with 240 HP from the
machine co-operation is available.
Only few operational passes prior to sowing
Special attention is turned to the straw distribution
from the previous crop harvest. When it is intended to
cultivate herbs, as a matter of principle straw is har-
vested from the previous crop, with all other previous
crops it is usually left. The combine harvester drivers
generally pay attention to an even straw distribution.
One measure, for example is, that they ensure a con-
stant sharpness of the knives.

For beet after grain, Ruckelshaußen initially carries out
with the Catros a stubble work to a depth of 5 to 8 cm.
When the field is then getting green again, mostly the
Catros is used once more to mix in emerging grain and
straw. In the end, prior to winter Roundup is sprayed to
remedy root weeds. Then no other cultivation is carried
out until sowing.
For rape after wheat, barley after spring barley Ruckels-
haußen initially carries out a first shallow operational
pass with the Catros, for the second time he works a
bit deeper, then he sows directly with the Cirrus. The
sowing operation is done mostly in combination with a
pre-seeding herbicide which can be incorporated with
the pre-working discs of the Cirrus.
If parsley follows grain, it is worked one or two times
with the Catros, in addition mostly the cultivator is
used once more. “For parsley we have to incorporate
the straw somewhat more intensive to avoid later straw
Stubble working with the 6 m Catros: At 18 km/h round about 12.5 ha in just under two hours.
3C – the crop establishment concept
residues in the product”, says Ruckelshaußen with re-
gard to the special demands of parsley.
For wheat after beet (harvested with a six row self-
propelled machine), if it is not too wet, sowing is car-
ried out directly with the Cirrus. Here the pre-working
discs of the Cirrus, however, are set to a depth of 8 to
10 cm in order to loosen the surface a bit more. After
rape and after parsley only Roundup is sprayed, then
sowing with Cirrus follows.
Minimising operational time and costs
The decisive measures for Ruckelshaußen are the opera-
tional passes with the Catros and the use of Glyphosate
containing agents. The cultivator is used only there,
where the straw has to be incorporated a bit deeper,
such as, for example for rape or in case of uneven
ground. From time to time also prior to beet on a bit
lighter soils. When sowing grain, rape and parsley with
the Cirrus the pre-running discs level the soil and at
7. Practitioners report about their experiences with az machinery 62 | 63

the same time provide some loose soil which is then “Centaur mixes and deep loosens…”
firmed again by the packer rollers.
Agrarprodukte Kitzen eG
What has changed since the plough is not used any
more? “One spends clearly less time in the field. Earlier Site D-04460 Kitzen
one had to sit for hours and days on the tractor, but
today everything is just quick. What time one saves
can be used for other work”, declared Ruckelshaußen.
“The work is quickly done and in case the weather is
bad, we also work in shifts.” In this way Ruckelshaußen
– when we visited him – had just needed hardly 2 hours
for 12.5 hectares of stubble working with the Catros at
18 km/h. Also with the Cirrus, depending on field sizes,
4 to 8 ha/hour can be managed.

In addition there is the saving of fuel: For the first

stubble pass with the Catros Ruckelshaußen only needs
5 l/ha and for the second pass 7 litres/ha (with the
cultivator 9 to 10 litres/ha) and for sowing also 7 l/ha,
for soil tillage and sowing this results in a total of round
about 19 l/ha. Yield reductions, on the other hand,
Ruckelshaußen did not notice.
Additional observations: “At the beginning of the
change over we thought we would have to supply the
stubbles with more nitrogen. Meanwhile we do not do
this any longer because the soils are so active that there
are many earthworms. Also for base fertilisation noth-
ing has changed but the traffic carrying ability of the
soils has improved. ”
Regarding the time for sowing Ruckelshaußen says:
“One has to approach the optimum time with care,
under no circumstances should one sow too early. One
has to wait until the top soil layer flows a little bit.
Waiting is not all that bad because the enormous effi-
ciency is at our disposal.”
Hans-Uwe Heilmann, Chairman of the board
In Kitzen the farm runs about 3,000 hectares. Since a
bit more than 6 years a Centaur from AMAZONE has
been used here. Uwe Heilmann: “Why did the plough
once revolutionise agriculture? It inverts and it mixes
but it does not do anything else. At that time when the
plough was introduced, no crop protective agents were
available and hardly any fertilisers, so once it brought
the more nutrient containing soil layers to the top and
provided a deep loosening at the working level. How-
ever, today the Centaur does this better: Because it does
not invert the soil but loosens it at the relevant required
depth and mixes in the straw. We have got masses of
straw which have to be processed. One should not bury
the straw but mix it into the soil and then let the soil
life do the work.”

“The effects are really put
into action!”
Agrargenossenschaft Kirchheilingen e.G.
Site D-99947 Kirchheilingen, Thuringia
Total usable area 3,640 ha,
Farm size
3,500 ha of arable land
Animal production 450 milk cows, 900 sows, 400 sheep
Big direct marketing with several subsidiaries
Employees
115 employees in total
An average of 510 mm, badly distributed,
Annual rainfall summer droughts
Altitude 230 m above sea level, slightly hilly terrain
LÖ 2 (from loams to disintegration soils)
Soil Ø field number: 63, Ø grass land number: 34
Winter wheat approx. 950 ha
Peas approx. 244 ha
Lucerne/Grass approx. 172 ha
Spring wheat approx. 112 ha
Spring barley approx. 393 ha
Rape approx. 687 ha
Sugar beet approx. 68 ha
Division of
cultivated areas 2007 Feed maize approx. 207 ha
Grain maize approx. 140 ha
Winter barley approx. 270 ha
Triticale approx. 39 ha
Durum wheat approx. 108 ha
Set a side areas ca. 70 ha
(participation in the Thuringian
Kulap-Programme A8, B and C)
3C – the crop establishment concept
The Agrargenossenschaft Kirchheilingen e.G. cultivates
a great deal of their approximately 3,500 hectares arable
areas without the plough, however, a smaller part not.
Carsten Steger, member of the management of the co-
operative and at the same time responsible in the area
of field establishment, reports about the reasons and
experiences.
When in 1994 the change over to conservation soil till-
age began, the reason was mainly the economic con-
straints for constant rationalisation. The decreasing
numbers of employees did not enable all areas to be
ploughed in the usual way in operational peaks in sum-
mer. In addition there was the problem of little rainfall
with unfavourable distribution: “When we plough in
summer and then want to sow rape the water has dis-
appeared. So this was a complex problem which we
wanted to solve with a plough less operation”, Carsten
Steger reports.
Today, approx. 65% of the crop rotations of the Agrar-
genossenschaft Kirchheilingen e.G. no plough is used –
that is valid for all crops which follow on peas or rape.
Also for rape (after winter barley, wheat or spring bar-
ley) normally one does not plough. The same applies to
winter grain, except for maize. For spring seeds (spring
barley, forage maize, beet) one normally also ploughs.
For all acreages, where over many years no plough had
been used, according to Carsten Steger the following
can be noticed: The yield differences between good and
bad fields are not as big as in former times because the
soil structure is better. The soils obviously carry traffic
better, as after rain the water seeps away quicker. In
an extremely dry year, as in 2003, the highest wheat
yields were still harvested. “So it is true”, according to
Carsten Steger, “the effects of conservation soil tillage
are really put into action provided one has not done
something wrong previously.” He also confirms the eco-
nomic advantages: “Whilst the yields hold steady –
though initial difficulties due to mismanagement of
straw, to slugs, mice and awn less brome grass – we did
not only reduce manpower but also diesel consumption
in huge dimensions!” In this way, for example, as a com-
parison between the years 1999 and 2003 the diesel
consumption was reduced from 345,000 litres/year to
245,000 litres/year – this is 100,000 litres/year less.
7. Practitioners report about their experiences with az machinery
Carsten Steger, member of the board and manager of farming at the Agrargenossenschaft Kirchheilingen e.G.
The Centaur as the core machine
Today a Centaur which is pulled by a 420 HP tracked
vehicle is the most important machine for cultivation
without the plough in Kirchheilingen. This machine
works approx. 3,000 ha per year. For four years the
farm has used a Cirrus as the “main seed drill” with
help from an older Primera DMC direct seed drill.
Already at combine harvesting the Hirchheilingen peo-
ple keep an eye on an even straw distribution. “Straw
management is very important, one has to achieve a
distribution of chaff and volunteer grains over the
entire area”, Carsten Steiger says. The magic formula
of how to proceed after harvest does not exist, so that
soil tillage totally varies. Carsten Steger explains that
with the aid of individual examples: When, mostly on
the worse fields, winter barley follows wheat initially
the Centaur is used as quickly after harvest as possible.
However, a disc harrow is only used in exceptional cases,
in cases where much lodged grain has prevailed. “This,
however, is comparatively seldom because when spread-
ing fertiliser we operate with the N-sensor”, Carsten
Steger explains
64 | 65
“We try to keep the first measure as shallow as possible,
then the second somewhat deeper. Possibly also with
different shares. For us, here the flexibility of the Centaur
is the decisive advantage – enabling us, depending on
the demands, to work shallower or deeper, to use wider
or narrower shares.” Whether the operational quality
and working depth are correct and whether the straw
has been sufficiently incorporated, is judged after a look
in the field. “It always depends on the actual conditions:
Is it wet or is it dry, was there lodged grain or not, it is
all very complex. One really has to make one’s own expe-
riences and also one has to fall flat on one’s face and
then to be able to make it alright in the end.”
Another example: After rape, winter wheat is sown.
Here, after harvest initially no soil tillage is carried out,
but a straw harrow is used. This measure is supposed
to distribute the straw a little and to promote the
emergence of the rape grains fallen out. After three
to four weeks the fields are treated with a total herbi-
cide and in this way the basic food is taken away from
mice and slugs and their breeding is reduced, at the
same time the water supply is conserved. In order to

“Straw management is very important to us; one has to
achieve complete distribution of chaff and volunteer grain
over the whole area in the field.”
destroy the paths of the mice the rape fields are
mulched and cultivated once all around. As the rape
fields are normally the poorest soils there are often
still tracks which are then, prior to the new sowing,
remedied via an approx. 10 cm deep operation with the
Centaur.
There are different reasons that in Kirchheilingen one
goes on ploughing in some fields. So, for example, the
manure from the animal production has to be spread, in
most cases before beet and maize. The approx. 500 hec-
tares for spreading are next to the livestock sheds. For
logistic reasons it is suggested to initially harvest the
straw and spread the manure later. “However the ma-
nure is mostly spread in unfavourable weather, so that
often deep tracks are left behind and so one has to
plough afterwards. As our better soils are situated nor-
mally around the livestock sheds these areas simulta-
neously offer a high yield level, so that it easily pays
to work here with the plough”, Carsten Steger reports.
The plough is also used following grain maize: At first it
is mulched, then ploughed and then the wheat is sown.
By mulching the stalks are smashed, at the same time it
acts as a control measure against the corn borer and
prevents blockage with the following soil tillage and the
Kirchheilingen staff use the Centaur after mulching,
Carsten Steger excludes: “Because of fusarium – here
we want to have the straw far away from the surface.
We tried it with the Centaur before and it works, how-
ever, in an unfavourable year problems might arise and
the don values then become too high making the grain
unsuitable for use as foodstuff or feed.”
3C – the crop establishment concept
But summarising Carsten Steger says: “Without these
pressures, of course, we would like to renounce the
plough here also.“ Looking back at the beginning of
changeover, Carsten Steger remembers: “Initially, one
has to learn the hard way because one underestimates
certain effects – problems with slugs, mice and awn-
less brome grass, also mineralisation in the soil takes
another course. One has to be prepared to newly learn
again and again and to make compromises. If much
straw prevails, I still have to work deep enough, not
generally shallow because then I get the problems. Also
where the Co-operative cultivates processing grain one
works without the plough: Here the wide crop rotation,
which we practise thanks to the participation in the
Thuringian A-8 programme, helps us to ensure purity of
variety.”
Carsten Steger is most satisfied with the technology
from AMAZONE. All machines function very well – and
besides the Centaur and Cirrus there are also, addition-
ally, an AMAZONE Primera DMC direct sowing machine,
ED precision airplanters and fertiliser spreaders used
in Kirchheilingen. The staff from Kirchheilingen use
the 6 m wide Primera DMC direct seed drill mostly on
smaller fields.
However, exact work rates regarding the use of AMAZONE
machinery Carsten Steger does not want to mention:
“Areas and conditions are just too different. To work a
100 ha field on the level with the Centaur means other
conditions than a 20 ha field where I have to drive up
and down hill. In any case, the 7.5 m Centaur works
between 12 and 15 km/h, the hourly rate can be calcu-
lated and in normal operation we thus manage between
50 and 70 ha per day, with the 8 m Cirrus also between
50 and 70 ha.”
Regarding AMAZONE and conservation soil tillage
Carsten Steger thinks: “We have already been co-oper-
ating closely with AMAZONE for a very long time and
we very pleased that AMAZONE endeavours to obtain
new, actual background knowledge regarding plough-
less soil tillage and that they pass on their experiences
to their customers.”
7. Practitioners report about their experiences with az machinery 66 | 67

AMAZONE technology in Russia The estate runs 35,000 hectares and a dairy farm. A
strongly continental climate prevails (hard winters,
Agrofirma Kulon drought periods in summer); the annual rainfall is
about 220 to max. 370 mm. Heavy clay/black earth soils
Site Tatarstan predominate. The arable farming is carried out in the
proportion of 40% conventional and 60% without the
plough. For 4 years AMAZONE technology has been
used in the form of disc cultivators, seed drills, fertiliser
spreaders and crop protection sprayers.

All machines have proven themselves superbly, with the

sowing technology especially praiseworthy. “Exemplary
in precision and handling, reliability and sowing speed,
the Citan seed drill is a real sowing miracle. With an
AMAZONE seed drill plant emergence appears after just
four days.” Also the tractor drivers regard AMAZONE
technology as operator-friendly and uncomplicated.

Rafik Miftachov, General manager

Both for stubble work and also for deeper soil tillage the staff at Kirchheilingen use a Centaur.

8.
Results: The conservation
soil tillage goes on having its way
The practice reports show how differently soil tillage
and sowing is handled on the farm. Some rely completely
on conservation systems, others only partly. Irrespective
of this and of farm structure, soils and crop rotations all
practitioners successfully utilise AMAZONE machinery.
On the basis of the 3C crop establishment concept with
AMAZONE machinery the optimum technology is also at
your disposal for the operational passes from stubble
working, primary soil tillage and sowing, both for in con-
servation and conventional soil tillage systems. With a
wide range of working widths and capacities AMAZONE
meets all the different demands. In addition a vast
number of machines can be utilised for several different
operational passes, so that also smaller sized farms are
able to make optimised use of the technology.
Experiences in practice also show that the future will go
on to develop more and more in the direction of conser-
vation soil tillage systems. Because conservation soil till-
age offers, besides the ecological benefit as, for example,
the better soil structure or less susceptibility to erosion,
decisive economic advantages! So numerous field trials,
which have been carried out with AMAZONE machinery
on different sites in different climatic conditions and
crop rotations prove that within conservation soil tillage
systems not only equal or higher yields than with the
conventional soil tillage can be obtained but also sub-
stantial cost savings.
3C – the crop establishment concept
With the headline “5% more yield, 50% less fuel and
60% less working time” AMAZONE summarises the re-
sults of these field trials. In this way – as the top of the
3C-concept – the possible advantages of a complete
changeover from conventional to conservation soil till-
age systems become clearer.
Especially with regard to the savings of 60 % working
time and 50% fuel consumption one cannot avoid think-
ing about the possibilities existing for their own farm.
For farms which cultivate the fields conventionally still
it is in any case worthwhile to start the changeover in
small steps and to experiment. For farms which only cul-
tivate some of their fields under a conservation regime
it is worth further extending this area.
Here the success to a large extent also depends on how
the technology utilised meets the specific demands.
Therefore, AMAZONE has not only optimised their ma-
chinery regarding robustness, but operational quality,
operational safety, user comfort and fuel saving machine
operation are factors of similar importance. Only on this
basis can the systems be realised successfully in prac-
tice.
Moreover, AMAZONE intends to offer the customers
additional support with comprehensive advice and prac-
tical recommendations around the effective utilisation
of their machinery and systems. Amongst other things,
8. Results: The conservation soil tillage goes on having its way 68 | 69

Pict. 12: Fuel consumption and working time requirement of AMAZONE makes available various informational mate-
the system Results from the DLG test institute (Groß-Umstadt) rial as to soil tillage systems and machinery which you
and FAL (Braunschweig) can order in accordance with the following pages. What
Yields 105 % you should, for example, specifically consider when
Yields 100 % changing over to conservation soil tillage you will gain
Working time requirement min/ha

Fuel consumption l/ha

experience from the brochure “The Architecture of mod-
100 50 ern plant production”.
90 45

80 40

70 35

60 Saving potential
30
approx. approx.
50 46 min/ha 15 l/ha 25

40 20

30 Cirrus 15
Cirrus
20 10
Centaur
10 Centaur 5
Catros Catros
0 0
Soil tillage:
Plough with packer Centaur cultivator-disc
harrow combination
Yields according to results, 5-year average (2002–2006)
Conventional (plough/sowing combination) = 100 % basing on the field trials
at Leipzig in cooperation with FAL, Braunschweig
Sowing
Conservation soil tillage with Centaur
Re-consolidation/packing
Conventional plough/primary soil tillage
Stubble working with the Catros compact disc cultivator
 3C – the crop establishment concept

Epilogue of the editor

To reconcile theory and practice is the central task of
this publication about the AMAZONE 3C arable farming
concept. My job as a freelance agricultural journalist
was the editorial support. So, a huge amount of infor-
mation around the 3C arable farming concept had to be
summarised and solution concepts had to be described.

Without the active support from many sides and the

preparatory work from many places this would not have
been possible. A thank you also to the practitioners and
scientists who carried out, analysed and processed the
numerous AMAZONE field trials, and in the same way
thank you to the AMAZONE team who developed the
concepts for the optimum machine operation.

I also thank the farmers about whose practical experi-

ences we were allowed to report in this documentation.
During the visits on farm it was confirmed that the ques-
tion for the most profitable arable farming systems can
by no means be answered in general. On the contrary,
the statements of the practitioners show that user-ori-
entated arable farming concepts on the basis of actual
experience are subject to far reaching development.

In this way, AMAZONE will also further extend their solu-

tions and systems around the 3C arable farming concept.
And here, as in the past, they rely on the co-operation
with practice. Therefore, you, dear readers, are welcome
to let us have your feedback. For suggestions, answers
to questions as to the 3C arable farming concept the
AMAZONE experts are at your disposal with pleasure.
Please write to AMAZONE, for example, by e-Mail to
3C@amazone.de or just give us a call: +49 (0)5405 501-0.

Yours
Franz-Peter Schollen, Coesfeld
 70 | 71

Production sites of the AMAZONE group

Hasbergen-Gaste near Osnabrück with test tracks Leeden near Osnabrück

Hude near Oldenburg Hude near Oldenburg

Leipzig with test tracks and test areas Forbach/France

GAG Eurotechnik Samara in Russia

 3C – the crop establishment concept

Information material
The following leaflets about our products and the
booklet “Architecture of modern crop production” can
be downloaded via the Info-portal on the AMAZONE
website or ordered directly from AMAZONE:
By mail: amazone@amazone.de For the AMAZONE
or by Fax:+49 (0)5405 501-147 Info-Portal please
go to
www.amazone.de

Leaflets (free of charge) Order No.

KE rotary harrow MI 791
KG Special/KG Super rotary cultivator MI 1484
Catros compact disc cultivator MI 1558
Pegasus cultivator, 2-row MI 082
Cenius cultivator, 3-row MI 1092
Centaur mulch cultivator, 4-row MI 1515
D9 and AD3 gravity seed drill MI 163
AD-P Special pneumatic seed drill MI 1765
AD-P Super pneumatic seed drill MI 1818
Avant front tank seed drill MI 1117
Cirrus large area seed drill MI 1479
Within the framework of our ACTIVE programmes
Citan large area seed drill MI 1370 we offer events around “Intelligent Crop Production”
in our ACTIVE centres at Hasbergen-Gaste, Hude and
Primera large area seed drill MI 444 Leipzig. We also organise thematic meetings in the lo-
ED precision airplanter MI 150 cality of the AMAZONE trials areas in different regions
in Germany.
ZA-M/ZA-M profiS/ZA-M ultra MI 1694
ZG-B large area bulk material spreaders MI 1090
UF mounted sprayer MI 1378 AMAZONE-ACTIVE
UG Nova trailed sprayer MI 1202 – please refer to
www.amazone.de
UX trailed sprayer MI 854 Column Active
Architecture of modern
MI 1678
crop production (token fee 5,–)

AMAZONEN-Werke H. Dreyer GmbH & Co. KG • P. O. Box 51 • D-49202 Hasebergen-Gaste/Germany

Phone +49 (0)5405 501-0 • Fax +49 (0)5405 501-193 • E-Mail: amazone@amazone.de • www.amazone.de
ES_Mulchsaat_24_10_2007_D.indd 2 25.10.2007 11:09:33 Uhr
 3C – the crop establishment concept
MI1677 (GB) 2008

3C – the crop
establishment concept

AMAZONEN-Werke H. Dreyer GmbH & Co. KG • www.amazone.de