Opico has extended its range of grassland maintenance equipment with the launch of a front-mounted Sward Slitter.
The unit’s design incorporates a bridge linkage that effectively makes it steer like a trailed machine as it extends the front of the tractor and allows the Sward Slitter’s rotor to be pulled and follow the tractor.
Aside from its location on the tractor, the new Sward Slitter has the same features as the rear-mounted unit launched a little more than a year ago. It has a 3m working width, a weight of 685kg and a slitting axle consisting of 18 rotors with four blades each (to give a total of 72 blades). The unique chamfered rear edge of the blades limits the turf damage when each knife comes out of the soil, so leaving a better finish.
The heavy-duty frame of the Sward Slitter has been designed with a weight-carrying rack so that extra disc weights or similar heavy objects can be added to the machine in hard conditions.
Protective skids at either end of the slitting axle limit the depth of the blades and protect the axle bearings from damage.
Opico managing director James Woolway said aeration of the sward root zone was critical for a healthy ley.
“The Sward Slitter allows oxygen interchange through the soil surface, which improves the aeration of plant roots in the upper soil surface and stimulates grass and clover growth,” he said. “Slitting also encourages evaporation of moisture in the surface layer of soil so that it dries out more quickly, which will promote earlier growth in the spring.
“The Sward Slitter is designed for the removal of surface compaction and capping. For deeper compaction – greater than 12cm – a Sward Lifter should be used to break up the mineral pan and improve drainage.”
The front-mounted Sward Slitter retails at £5,348 + VAT; for farmers who prefer a rear-mounted Sward Slitter the cost is £3,987 + VAT.
For more information visit: www.opico.co.uk.
