The benefits of hardened cultivator points
Growers preparing for autumn cultivations are being encouraged to consider investing in hardened, genuine wearing parts as dry soil conditions are expected to accelerate cultivator point wear this season.
According to KUHN, the prolonged lack of rainfall during the growing season has left many seedbeds hard and abrasive, increasing the potential for faster wear of soil-engaging components at a time when many arable businesses are looking to control operating costs.
Ed Loder, Arable Product Specialist at KUHN UK, says that while genuine hardened wearing parts carry a higher initial purchase price, they can deliver significantly longer service life and reduce machine downtime.
“Many growers will be scrutinising every input cost this autumn, and wearing metal could become a larger expense than anticipated. Genuine hardenedparts cost more initially, but they can last between six and eight times longer than standard points, meaning each set covers substantially more hectares before replacement.”
KUHN’s DuraKarb technology is available across a number of the manufacturer’s cultivation products. On the Cultimer and Performer stubble cultivators, V-shaped DuraKarb treatment on 80–50 mm points is designed to provide up to eight times the working life of untreated equivalents.
Similarly, DuraKarb goosefoot shares fitted to the Prolander cultivator use carbide plates brazed onto the leading edge to improve wear resistance without increasing tine thickness. KUHN says these shares can offer up to six times the service life of standard components.
The company also highlights the benefits of using genuine OEM wearing parts, noting they are developed specifically for individual machines and extensively tested to ensure correct fit, consistent wear characteristics and compliance with quality and safety standards.
DuraKarb hardened points are available across several KUHN cultivation ranges, including the Cultimer, Performer and Prolander, as well as selected HR power harrows and rotary tillers. KUHN UK says its parts operation in Telford is fully stocked to support customers during the autumn cultivation season.
With cultivation costs under increasing scrutiny, manufacturers continue to focus on extending component life to reduce maintenance intervals, minimise downtime and improve overall operating efficiency.
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