Gascon Kon chisel plough
Check out this review of the Gascon Kon chisel plough.
When it comes to primary cultivation, there is definitely more than one way to tackle the task – all with advantages and disadvantages. Although a chisel plough tends to leave a somewhat rougher finish, they also have some pretty significant advantages too.
The simple and robust nature of a chisel plough makes them ideal in stoney or rough land and they can work down to a great depth to remove layers of compaction to improve water penetration without inverting the soil and burying the top layer of fertility.
On one of my trips to the South Island earlier this year in hot pursuit of new machinery, I found myself at a property owned by the Winchester family near Southbridge in Canterbury where Origin Agroup and local dealers Cochranes Machinery had organised to give me a first-hand look at a new Gascon Kon chisel plough.
Construction
The backbone of the machine is the hefty frame that is built from 100-by-100 8mm wall box section steel, which carries the tines in two rows as well as the roller mounted of the back. At the front a compact yet robust headstock fits a CAT 2/3 linkage and couples the machine close to the rear of the tractor to keep the weight close to the rear wheels.
The build quality of the machine is exceptional and is well finished in powder coat paint in the trade Gascon yellow. As an option, the machine tested was fitted with depth control wheels at the front which keep the working depth of the machine consistent. Adjustment of the depth wheels is very easy with a pin and hole setup to select the height, a clever cam lever with a handle is stored on the machine and fits into the top of the depth wheel which makes lifting it up and down effortless.
Tines
The 13 tines on the machine are mounted to the frame using two heavy duty cast iron L-shaped clamps that hold on all four sides of the box section. It uses a single bolt which fits through a locator hole at the front to prevent sideways movement while holding the clamp tight.
A captured head on the bolt allows them to be tightened up with a single spanner. The heavy-duty solid 40-by-30mm curved shanks on the tines are very robust and will stand up to some severe punishment. Wide high quality European tips are bolted to the tines and are reversible to reduce the cost of wearing parts on the machine.
Maximum tine working depth is 300mm which is fairly impressive and should be deep enough to remove compaction in the soil. Tine spacing on the model I tested is 250mm between the points and there were no issues with blocking, although the ground we were working up was relatively trash free.
Roller
A roller is mounted to the rear of the machine which will help to consolidate, further cultivate and leave the ground somewhat level. While it is a relatively simple cage roller and did prove reasonably effective I can’t help but think a packer roller would leave a better finish.
The height is easily set with a pin on each side and ten holes to choose from. Bearings are fitted on the inside of the frame in the concaved end of the roller which helps minimise the overall width of the machine and keeps them out of harm’s way.
Gascon International
While Gascon is relatively new to the New Zealand market, with Origin Agroup (the New Zealand importer) landing the first machines here just in time for the 2015 National Fieldays, the company has a much longer history. Starting in Spain way back in 1870, Gascon now has over 145 years’ experience building agricultural implements.
The verdict
Having first seen a range of Gascon machines at the National Fieldays in 2015 which I was reasonably impressed with, it was great to get the opportunity to get out and see how it performed in the paddock.
The build quality and finish is exceptional, the machine has been kept simple and adjustments can easily be made. The optional-depth wheels are well worth including as would the option of heavy-duty levelling tines in front of the roller. Overall, this is a great machine from a European company with a long-standing reputation for build quality.
Pros
- High quality, heavy-duty 40x30mm tines
- Enclosed auto reset coil spring protection
- Robust frame and headstock
- Depth wheels to keep working depth consistent
- Simple and easy to adjust
Cons
- The 3.6-metre width will be to wide for may but other models available
- Basic cage roller
Read the full review in the latest issue (#226) of Farm Trader magazine. Subscribe here.
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