Work deeper and wider with Agrico's new T1000 folding ripper

before the Versters of Potlachi Family Trust would acquire it. Therefore, every implement under consideration is thoroughly tested on their farm near Luckhoff, in the central part of South Africa. They ensure that only the best equipment is bought to support their drive towards achieving the best yields possible. The Versters farm with maize, wheat, popcorn, alfalfa, peas, and soya beans under irrigation. They need a strong, reliable, and efficient ripper to prepare the soil thoroughly and quickly before planting. After a demonstration on their farm last year, where they tested a wide range of Agrico's implements, they decided to buy a new T1000 folding wing ripper. This is one of the largest rippers in the Agrico T1000 series. The Versters use a 430 kW tractor with the implement. The T1000 is available in various models from 1 to 21 tines, with frames up to 10 metres wide. "Agrico's people understand farming and give the farmer exactly what he needs,” says Ryno Verster: “They adapted the ripper especially for our farm, for example, they fitted the implement with specific wheels, as per our specification. Agrico also, on request, mounted the tines 420 mm apart. The standard spacing is 500 mm. “The T1000 can work up to 630 mm deep, but on average we rip the soil 500 mm deep,” says Ryno. According to Agrico, the ideal working depth is between 400 and 630 mm, depending on conditions and the cultivation methods. Within this working range, the operation is very efficient and the tines are still able to completely break away and reset automatically. Ryno says Agrico's ripper stands out above the competition, because the frame and tines are manufactured from high strength materials and are designed to last longer. Yet, Agrico offers much better value for money than their competitors. Since this particular Agrico T1000 was adapted according to the Versters' needs, there were minor teething problems with the rocker shaft and welding on a hinge. “Agrico offered to give me a brand-new frame, but I said

by Work deeper and wider with Agrico's new T1000 folding ripper

Any implement must prove itself

Benine Ackermann

The frame clearance of the T1000 reset ripper from Agrico is 1 000 mm and the breakaway force at the shear tip of the tine is 7 600 N (760 kg).

A protective strip at the leading edge of the T1000’s ripper tine protects the tine against wear and damage. This ensures a longer life.

they could just reinforce it, which they did at the hinge point. The rocker shaft, they replaced with an upgraded one,” says Ryno. "That being said, up to now we had no issues and didn’t even have to replace one bolt on a shear after 500 hectares of deep ripping with the implement.” He is also impressed with the fact that the implement can cultivate 6,3 hectares per hour. "Its method of cultivating is very efficient and the breakaway action is outstanding.” Ryno is very satisfied with Agrico’s after sales service, which is a major consideration with the purchase of any equipment. "They always help me when I experience any problems. I will definitely buy more Agrico implements." Ryno's father, Francois, added. “Agrico went to great lengths to give us exactly what we wanted. The ripper is designed to be a part of our farming solution, and it is better than any imported alternative." Paul Burger, Engineer and Product Manager of Agrico, explains that this T1000 is designed with a folding frame to facilitate easy transport, while offering a wide working width. He explains why the T1000 is an exceptional implement: “Bigger tines give the farmer more tillage options and allow for either deep, or slightly shallower cultivation in harder soil. The taller tines result in more clearance between the ground and the frame. The tine design and -layout is also optimal with less obstructions. When working with more residual material on the field, there is better stubble flow and reduced clogging of the implement, compared to other designs. "Agrico’s T-series is also successful because of lower draft resistance than the competitors, thanks to the optimised breakaway action, -tine width, -tine shape and -shear angle. The standard 80 mm shear has a more aggressive action than those of its competitors. A wide range of alternative shears is also available.”

Benefits of the T1000-reset ripper:

• The implement does its job with little effort because tines automatically reset during operation, without having to reduce speed or lifting the implement. • Reduced wear on tines. • The implement is cost effective. • It is available as three-point hitched or drawn models, and now also with folding wings for the wider models. • It ensures low fuel consumption due to extremely low draft resistance. • The tine geometry, layout and good ground clearance beneath the frame ensures good stubble flow and reduced clogging. • The T1000 is the only implement in its class with recoil shock absorbers on all tines, that ensures a longer life expectancy. • Agrico's popular straight ripper shear is fitted as standard. • The shears are bolted on, making it easy to exchange them.

Francois, Ryno and Jacques Verster are fully satisfied with their T1000 reset ripper from Agrico.

For any enquiries, contact Alfred Andrag at +27(0)82-824-1214 or +27(0)21-950-4111 or send an e-mail to Alfred.andrag@agrico. co.za.