Improving Stubble Flow through Tines on Agricultural Machinery

Poor stubble handling of machinery is one of the major barriers to the retention of stubble on broadacre cropping farms in central and southern New South Wales. This study has assessed strategies for improving stubble flow through both scarifiers and combine drills currently owned by most farmers. An integrated approach of reducing the length of straw, changing the profile of tines by wrapping the shank in polythene tubing and where necessary increasing the rank spacing between tines improves stubble flow. These strategies are low cost and will allow implements to operate in stubble densities between 3 and 5 t ha−1 without major blockages. In contrast, these implements will block immediately with straw when used in their traditional configuration and no reduction in stubble length at these stubble densities.