With six models covering working widths from five to 12 meters, the Horsch Joker Rt series disc harrows prepare the seedbed in a single pass, even when minimum tillage practices are adopted.
At the end of winter, activity picks up on farms. The time to sow spring–summer crops such as maize, soybeans, rice, or sunflower is approaching. Whether farming takes place on plains or hilly terrain, the seedbed must therefore be prepared optimally to facilitate the work of seed drills. Disc harrows are the most versatile tools for this purpose, as they can be used on ploughed fields to break up clods or to refine the seedbed down to a depth of 15 centimeters when minimum tillage practices are followed. All this while maintaining maximum operational precision even at high working speeds.
Structurally robust and compact, the trailed disc harrows of the Horsch “Joker Rt” series meet these requirements and are also suitable for soil preparation when the incorporation of crop residues, cover crops, or organic fertilizers is required.
Six working widths are available, starting with the five meters of the “Joker 5 Rt” model and increasing in steps of about one meter up to the 12 meters of the top-of-the-range “Joker 12 Rt”. Regardless of the model, however, the transport width and height always remain within the three meters required by European regulations for road transport. This compactness is made possible by the hydraulic folding systems with which these machines are equipped.
As for the working elements, the “Joker Rt” series is equipped as standard with serrated discs with a diameter of 52 centimeters. Their high peripheral speeds ensure intensive soil cultivation and mixing. This result is also supported by the 12.5-centimeter spacing between the discs, a measurement suitable for producing optimal soil work even when operating at a depth of 6–8 centimeters.
Each model in the series obviously requires adequate traction from the tractors to which it is paired. While the “Joker 5 Rt” requires engines with power ranging from 160 to 220 horsepower, depending on soil conditions, the “Joker 12 Rt” requires a maximum power of 360–480 horsepower.
Therefore, for small and medium-sized Italian farms—which prefer compact, light, and maneuverable equipment—the first two models in the series, with working widths of five to six meters, are particularly suitable, as they can be paired with the utility tractors commonly found in farm fleets. The four larger models, on the other hand, are designed for large farms and professional contractors, offering higher hourly performance in terms of cultivated surface when paired with more powerful tractors.
They Never Stop
Among the most annoying inconveniences in the field are machine blockages. These can occur in the presence of abundant crop residues or very dense weed growth. To overcome such issues, the “Joker Rt” models offer high ground clearance, combined with an architecture in which the discs are mounted on arms with rubber torsion suspension.
In addition, the spacing between the disc rows and the rear roller is optimized, facilitating the smooth flow of soil and plant material even at speeds of up to 18 kilometers per hour. These operating speeds are also enabled by the “SoftRide” system which, by suspending the transport wheels, stabilizes the masses involved and minimizes jolting.
Finally, a wide choice of packers is available—single or double roller—to achieve the desired finishing according to specific soil conditions. Optionally, the farmer can also choose a knife roller for shredding and cutting residues, and a transverse leveling bar can also be used as an additional leveling tool.
Title: Horsch Joker disc harrows: six models for minimum tillage
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