Tillage Tool Changes Disc Angle On-The-Go

Tillage Tool Changes Disc Angle On-The-Go TILLAGE EUIPMENT Disks (18) 23-5-44 "There has never been another tillage tool like this. It works the ground up in ways that aren't possible with existing equipment, letting you custom mix residue into the soil as needed," say the Flenker's of Flenker Enterprises, Inc., Long Grove, Iowa, about their new revolutionary invention û an adjustable disc gang designed to fit the front of any tillage tool or ridge planter. Bill Flenker, along with his two sons, Kim and Kevin, developed the new tillage concept. They've been testing the tool for the past two years on their farms and recently received patents on their design. What makes the new "variable tillage tool" unique is that you can adjust the cutting angle of the front gang of discs from 0 to 38 degrees "on-the-go". The discs are controlled hydraulically by a pair of cylinders. The more you angle the discs, the more aggressively they mix soil and residue. Pairs of disc blades are mounted back to back and offset a few inches from front to back û each pair of disc blades are positioned ahead of a deep-till shank. Everyone who has seen the implement in use for the first time can't believe the aggressive way it mixes the soil and residue û tossing it back and forth between the discs. This disc action, in combination with the deep till, provides what the Flenkers and others call"vertical mulching". The Flenkers say the new disk has performed perfectly under a variety of conditions, in soils ranging from sandy to gumbo. Field tests have shown a 15 to 21 percent increase in yield, which is due to a combination of several benefits of the new tool. "The mixing of the soil simply creates a better conditioned soil that's aerated for increased root penetration. The warmer soil condition produced by the composting of residue helps seeds germinate faster in the spring and establish themselves sooner, giving them a competitive advantage over weeds. You can precisely control the amount of residue left on top of the ground, reducing erosion where necessary," say the Flenkers. The "variable tillage tool" is relatively simple. The up-front gang of adjustable discs can be mounted on front of a variety of implements such as a chisel plow, field cultivator, manure injector, disc harrow, or other equipment. The disc assembly uses standard parts that are readily available. No special tools or equipment are needed to maintain it. The Flenkers are looking for a manufacturer. They'll be exhibiting the implement this fall for the first time at the Farm Progress Show in Amana, Iowa (they'll be in the Kent Mfg. booth). Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Flenker Enterprises, Inc., 29476 240th Ave., Long Grove, Iowa 52756 (ph 319 225-3333; fax 2254).

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