The Farmers Mart Summer 2017 - Issue 51 | Page 110

Machinery
NEW CLAYDON TERRABLADE INTER-ROW
HOE LAUNCHED AT CEREALS 2017
» » THE NEW CLAYDON TERRABLADE
Inter-Row Hoe is an effective, low-cost
method of controlling weeds in all types of
combinable crops which have been band-
sown and leave an unseeded strip between
the rows which can be mechanically
hoed.
Developed and manufactured by
Claydon, the TerraBlade can be used on
any tractor with a Cat II front linkage and
has a power requirement of just 10-12
hp/m. The initial model, the M6, has a
working width of 6m and is equipped with
20 blades which slice through the soil at
depth of up to 3cm, cutting off the weeds’
rooting systems so that they wither and die.
Claydon plan to introduce a full range of
TerraBlade models to match the working
width of its Hybrid Opti-Till drills.
Manually steered, the TerraBlade can be
used whenever soil conditions allow. On
farms that drill early, for example, crops
may be sufficiently well developed in the
autumn to start using the technique. The
operation can then continue in the spring,
up to the stage where further passes might
compromise the crop.
Claydon says the TerraBlade is a valuable
addition to the agricultural industry’s weed
control armoury. Coming at a time when the
efficacy of some herbicides is decreasing,
and the cost of control is increasing, it
represents a further significant advantage
New Quicke loader
- Stronger & even
smarter
» » LOADER MANUFACTURER,
Quicke, has launched its first new
loader into the market in 11 years.
Billed as stronger, smarter and
more user friendly, the Q-Series is
set to revolutionise and digitalise
tractor loader handling.
“Everything about the Q-Series
is engineered for enhanced
strength. The introduction of
heavy duty cast and forged steel
components in the rear arms,
knees and front parts, improves
the loader’s durability and the
potential lifespan is greatly
increased,” says Neil Forknall,
Quicke managing director.
“The SoftDrive shock absorber
system greatly reduces strain on
the loader and tractor, so there’s
no damage to hoses, pipes or
in favour of the Claydon Optimum Tillage
System, a progressive, more ecological
and financially sustainable method of
establishing combinable crops compared
with either traditional plough or min-till-
based techniques.
The TerraBlade eliminates weeds that
have been missed by ag-chems and are
growing between the seeded bands,
reliably, safely and without using chemicals,
or can be operated in situations where
such products cannot be used. Keeping the
unseeded rows clear of weeds during the
early stages of growth reduces competition
for nutrients, light, air and water, enabling
the