Are you up-to-date with your mole ploughing?
31st August 2021
Always remember, the most important asset on your farm is probably your land. Soil health and drainage are essential to safeguard against adverse weather and constant changes on the farming
Always remember, the most important asset on your farm is probably your land. Soil health and drainage are essential to safeguard against adverse weather and constant changes on the farming landscape.
After a succession of wet winters, causing further crop damage, compaction and reducing yields, there is now a cost-effective mounted mole drainer that works – the Ceres UniMole Mole Drainer is the perfect machine for the task, the manufacturer says. The UniMole brings you the best of both worlds, combining a traditional trailed beam mole drainer with the speed, manoeuvrability and convenience of a mounted machine.
The Ceres UniMole creates minimal surface disturbance with its unique hydraulic entry and withdrawal system, which allows its leg to run smoothly in and out of the ground. The hydraulic ram automatically extends and contracts, which reduces ground heave, as well as lessening the pressure exerted on the tractor. This prevents the unsightly exposed crater at the end of each run, which is normally associated with mole ploughing, making this machine perfect for zero till, minimum till and pastureland, Ceres says.
The wide beam creates a high pressure point over the foot and bullet, to prevent premature lift and shatter and reduce ground disturbance, and allow the ceramic expander to create an even force to consolidate the subsoil. The leg creates an open slit, which allows circulating air to dry out the consolidated substrate and create an even longer-lasting drain. The risk of debris and trash build up is greatly reduced not only by the angle of the leading edge, but also by the large 560mm diameter serrated disc which has ample clearance within the frame to prevent congesting and aid free rotation.
The UniMole is built with longevity in mind, not only for long-lasting land drains, but also the lifespan of its components. These include the Hardox 450 full-length skid, leg and headstock pin inserts, which offers up to four times greater life expectancy than mild steel. The leg is also protected by a choice of two sizes of shear link, which provides a safeguard when using the UniMole in unfamiliar ground. Both main pivots have greaseable sprung steel bushes with EN24 pins. The hard-wearing ceramic expander, which comes as standard, maintains its shape throughout wear by rotating freely on its axis, and it has a convenient stowing position when out of work.
The Ceres team believes that the UniMole offers the best all-round performance, whether on grassland, stubble, pre-worked or in-crop conditions, bringing an over 100-year- old design up-to-date and making it suitable for efficient, modern farming and contracting applications.
