There’s no question about it, American farms are the backbone of the nation. In fact, agricultural exports amounted to $21.7 billion in California alone during 2019. In order to support the needs of our country, farmers and agricultural workers need to have the right equipment to carry out their job functions efficiently.
One major piece of farm equipment modern agricultural workers need is a strip-till. Like most things, all strip-till equipment is not created equal. You need to do your due diligence before making a big purchase from a farm equipment supplier.
Read on for three important considerations!
1. What Are Your Goals?
You can’t just head out to your regular farm equipment supplier and pick up a strip-till. It’s important to set some time aside to determine what the unique needs of your operation are. Failure to do this can result in the purchase of a strip-till that ends up creating more work for you.
Some important considerations include whether you’re going to be using dry or liquid fertilizer in the strips and whether you want to add in anhydrous ammonia at the same time. If you’re in a pinch, speak to a representative about which striptill machines will work best for your operation’s needs.
2. Know the Needs of the Strip-Till Equipment
Just as your needs for the strip-till equipment you purchase are unique, so are the needs of the equipment itself. There is not really a strip-till machine that is good for all conditions. Instead, you need to go into your purchase knowing whether the machine itself will work for your farm.
This also means that you have to make decisions about which attachments are proper. Depending upon the horsepower and configuration of the tractor, the strip-till machine you’re thinking of purchasing may or may not work. If you don’t have a deep knowledge of these intricacies, then you need to consult with the pros at your farm equipment supplier.
3. Go for Horsepower
Strip-till equipment is reliant upon sufficient horsepower to accomplish the job. In general, expect your strip-till machine to require between 20 to 30 horsepower per shank in order for it to work effectively.
What happens if your tractor doesn’t have enough horsepower for the job? Expect to see breakdowns, slippage, slow pulling speeds, and increased fuel consumption. The type of soil you’re tilling can impact your power needs, too.
The good news? After a couple of years, your soil will mellow out, and your power needs won’t be so intense.
Are You on the Hunt for Strip-Till Equipment?
Strip-till equipment is a powerful tool used on most modern farms. As a result, there are a lot of different variations in this piece of farm equipment when you purchase it. It also has a number of different ways you can configure it to work best for your needs.
Be sure to take all of this information into account before making your big purchase!
Do you want to learn more great ways to manage your agricultural business? You’ve found the right place! Check out the rest of our blog for tons of great business advice!
