The preparation of the soil is the foundation of every successful harvest. When facing the secondary task—the conditioning of the land after ploughing or harvesting—many farmers face a fundamental choice: to use a cultivator (or chisel plough) or a disc harrow? Both machines pursue the same goal: weed control, breaking up clods, and optimizing the seedbed. However, they achieve this through methods that have very different effects on soil structure, moisture, and residue management. An informed choice is vital for long-term soil health and crop profitability.
Main Functions of Each Tool
The essential difference between these tools lies in how they interact with the soil profile.
The Cultivator operates under the principle of vertical tillage or minimum tillage. It uses robust shanks or tines that penetrate the soil to break up compacted layers and aerate the earth in depth, often more than 25 or 30 cm. Its major advantage is that it moves the soil without inverting the horizons, leaving most of the residue and organic matter on the surface.
For its part, the Disc Harrow employs rows of concave discs that cut, pulverize, and partially invert the soil in a more superficial operation (generally between 5 and 15 cm). Its main function is to effectively break down the clods left by primary plowing and, above all, to actively mix harvest residues, fertilizers, or herbicides with the upper soil layer.
Advantages and Limitations of Cultivators
The main benefit of the cultivator is that it preserves the soil structure. By performing deep work without turning the soil over, it is ideal for breaking the dreaded hard layers or “plough pans,” facilitating water infiltration and root development. Leaving residues on the surface helps control wind and water erosion and retain moisture, which is crucial in dry farming areas. Furthermore, its design generally entails lower fuel consumption per hectare compared to a plough that turns the soil.
However, cultivators have their limits. They generally require more power or horsepower (HP) per meter of effective work, especially in very dense or hard soils. Additionally, their action is less effective for the fine pulverization of large clods, meaning the result of the work can be a rougher surface, which often requires a subsequent pass with another tool.
Advantages and Limitations of Disc Harrows
The disc harrow stands out for its versatility and excellent pulverization capacity. It is the ideal tool for leaving a very fine seedbed, as it breaks down clods quickly and efficiently. Its cutting and mixing action makes it the preferred option for incorporating large volumes of residues, manure, or soil amendments into the soil profile during superficial work. Furthermore, they allow working at high speeds over large areas.
However, its main limitation is its negative impact on long-term soil structure. The constant pressure from the discs, if worked always at the same depth, can generate a phenomenon known as “disc pan” or subsurface compaction. By mixing and inverting the soil, the disc harrow also increases exposure to wind and water erosion by eliminating the protective layer of surface residues, and it accelerates the loss of soil moisture.
Factors for Deciding Based on Terrain and Crop
The choice between the two tools should be based on an assessment of the plot’s specific needs:
- If the main goal is to decompact and aerate to facilitate drainage and root growth, the choice should be the cultivator. This is crucial if a “plough pan” or deep compaction is detected.
- If the priority is to quickly incorporate large amounts of residue, mix fertilizers, or achieve a very fine seedbed surface after a primary tillage, the disc harrow is the necessary tool.
- In areas with a risk of erosion or drought, prioritizing the cultivator is recommended to maintain residue cover and retain moisture.
- In many modern agricultural systems, complementarity is the most effective solution: using a deep cultivator for decompaction, and then a superficial disc harrow (or a light cultivator) for the final refinement of the seedbed.
JYMPA Recommendation
At JYMPA, efficiency, respect for the soil, and durability are our pillars. For farmers seeking maximum depth and minimal structural impact, we recommend our range of fixed-shank cultivators or chisels. These implements are specifically designed to break the hardest compacted layers with minimal surface alteration, aligning with conservation tillage practices.
If, on the other hand, your need is for rapid incorporation and a high mixing capacity in superficial work, we suggest exploring JYMPA’s line of high-performance disc harrows. Our goal is for every farmer to be able to select the machinery that perfectly adapts to their tillage system, optimizing soil health and the profitability of the operation.