Maintaining soil productivity necessitates continuous analysis, including appropriate tillage application to prevent desiccation and maintain humus levels. Another critical aspect is the economics of land cultivation, given that these costs are among the most significant in plant production. No-plough is a cultivation system where plowing is entirely abandoned to preserve the soil's natural structure, reduce erosion, and enhance water retention. This system offers numerous financial and organizational benefits.
No till farming requires selecting a machine based on the purpose of the operation, working depth, soil type, and the amount of crop residue. In this category, we have gathered a selection of the most important Rolmako farm implements for working without inverting the soil. Below, you will find the most frequently asked questions about equipment selection, configuration, and fieldwork. Click on a category to go to the topics that interest you.
In this section, you will find answers to the most common questions about selecting machines for no till farming: how to choose your equipment, what to replace ploughing with, and when shallow no till work is sufficient, versus when deeper soil loosening without inverting the soil is required.
In no till farming, there is usually no single 'one-size-fits-all' machine. The implement is selected based on the purpose of the operation, working depth, amount of crop residue, and soil conditions — that is, for a specific stage of fieldwork. For shallower cutting and mixing of residue, a disc harrow is suitable; for more intensive work with tines, a cultivator is best; and for deeper loosening without inverting the soil, a chisel plough or subsoiler is the right choice.
Not always. In no till farming, a subsoiler is necessary when there is deep soil compaction, a plough pan, or issues with water drainage and capillary rise. If the field mainly requires shallow residue mixing or medium loosening, a disc harrow, cultivator, or chisel plough will suffice. A subsoiler should be seen as a machine to solve a specific problem within the soil profile, not as a mandatory element of every no till farming system.
In no till farming, a plough can be replaced by a cultivator or a chisel plough, depending on the objective. In a no till system, the plough is replaced not by a single machine, but by a set of implements that work without inverting the soil. The most important thing is to match the machine to the task, rather than searching for a single 'universal' replacement for the plough.
In no till farming, the machine is primarily selected based on the purpose of the operation. Therefore, in this section, we compare the main types of machines used in no till technology. Please remember that on the 'No till farming' page, we guide you through various operational scenarios, but this does not replace the full machine catalogue. If you wish to compare more models, please also check the product categories for disc harrows and deep loosening implements.
A disc harrow is effective in no till farming when you need to cut and mix crop residue with the topsoil without inverting the soil. It is a good choice for no till work, levelling the surface, and preparing the field for the next operation. When dealing with a larger amount of residue, heavier soil, or working after a maize or rapeseed harvest, it is worth considering a heavier machine, such as the U671.
When choosing a specific model, it is worth comparing the full category of Rolmako disc harrows: Harrows equipped with tillage discs. https://rolmako.com/harrows-equippedwith-tillage-discs.html
A tine cultivator is a good choice when working with discs alone is not effective enough in a no till system. It is suitable for deeper loosening, undercutting stubble, and more intensive mixing of crop residue. It is a solution for working without inverting the soil but with more soil disturbance than shallow disc cultivation.
The U624 Chisel plough is the right choice when deeper, more intensive work without inverting the soil is required in a no till system. It is a machine that not only loosens the soil but also helps to mix crop residue, break up clods, and level the surface after a pass. Therefore, it is suitable for situations where a disc harrow or tine cultivator alone is not effective enough, but the aim is not solely the localised loosening of deep compaction, as is the case when using a subsoiler.
In no till farming, a subsoiler is used for 'special tasks': it does not replace every tillage machine, but it helps to loosen deeper layers without inverting the furrow slice. It is worth choosing one when symptoms of compaction are observed in the field, such as limited root development or problems with capillary rise and water drainage.
This category includes, among others, the U608, U614, U616, and U626 models. The full range of Rolmako subsoilers can be found in the 'Deep looseners equipped with tines' category. https://rolmako.com/deep-looseners-equipped-with-tines.html
The more residue left in the field, the more important the machine's clearance under the frame, the spacing of the working elements, and the free flow of material become.
A farm machine for no till farming must be selected so that the tractor can maintain the set working depth and a stable working speed without excessive wheel slip. The deeper the agriculture machine works and the heavier the soil conditions, the more important a power reserve and an appropriate tractor weight become. For shallower work, a lighter configuration is sufficient, while for deeper loosening, working with tines, or using a chisel plough, a more powerful setup will be needed.
An agricultural machinery for the soil in no till farming is chosen based on its consistency, moisture, compaction, and the amount of plant residue on the surface. On light soil, you can usually work shallower and with a lighter configuration, especially if the goal is to mix residue and level the field. On heavy, firm, or compacted soil, a machine with greater weight, a more robust design, and better penetration will be needed. If the problem affects deeper layers, it is worth considering a chisel plough or a subsoiler.
In no till farming, the result depends on how deep the machine works, how it handles residue, and whether its configuration is suited to the field conditions. Below, we have compiled questions about setting parameters for working without inverting the soil layers.
The working depth in no till farming depends on the purpose of the operation and the type of machine. You work shallower when mixing residue and preparing the surface, and deeper when you need to loosen the soil or break up compacted layers. It is not worth working deeper than necessary, as this increases resistance, fuel consumption, and power demand.
One machine can be the foundation of the system, but it usually needs to be complemented by other implements suited to the farm's conditions. No till farming involves various tasks: cutting and mixing the mulched residue, loosening the soil, levelling the field, and breaking up deeper compacted layers.
A field is prepared without ploughing in stages: first, the crop residue must be managed; then, the loosening depth must be adapted to the soil conditions; and finally, the surface must be levelled and prepared for sowing. Depending on the situation, this may involve working with a disc harrow, a tine cultivator, the Chisel plough U624, or a subsoiler. The most important thing is to match the operation to the residue, soil compaction, and the requirements of the next crop. The use of machines like the SpringExpert mulch harrow or the MATRIX rotary hoe for ultra-shallow cultivation is optional.
A good result after a no till operation includes a uniform working depth, no inverted furrow slice, evenly distributed residue, and a stable field surface. If the machine leaves strips, large clods, or ruts, or if it works unevenly, it is worth checking the depth, speed, roller settings, and whether the machine is appropriate for the conditions.
In this section, we have collected the most common problems encountered during no till farming and the initial setting adjustments worth checking in the field. If the problem persists despite the changes, consult with Rolmako advisers and provide the farm machine's model, working depth, amount of residue, soil type, and the result after a pass.
Clogging is usually caused by an excess of long or damp residues, uneven straw distribution by the combine harvester, working too deep, or insufficient machine clearance. Check:
If the problem persists despite adjustments, the machine may not be suitable for the amount of no till farming plant residue. It is worth consulting an adviser from our company; this is usually the best time to start your adventure with Rolmako agricultural machinery.
In no till farming, a stable working depth is important because it ensures even loosening and a predictable result after a pass. First, check whether:
If the machine sometimes works too shallow and at other times too deep, it is best to start by adjusting the roller, speed, and hitch settings.
A tractor may experience too much resistance when the machine is working too deep, the soil is heavy or damp, and the working width exceeds the actual capabilities of the setup. It is best to first:
If the problem persists, it's better to choose a narrower machine or a lighter configuration than to constantly operate at the limit of the tractor's power.
Poor mixing of residues is usually due to working too shallowly, worn working elements, insufficient mixing intensity, or uneven straw distribution after harvesting. Start by:
With a large amount of no till residue, a heavier configuration, greater clearance, or a machine with a stronger mixing action may be necessary.
If the soil is not sufficiently loosened, first check the working depth and the condition of the working elements. The causes could be:
A problem is due to settings if it improves after changing the depth, speed, agricultural roller settings, pressure, or working angle of the working elements. If the machine continues to clog, fails to maintain its depth, overloads the tractor, or loosens the soil poorly despite adjustments, it may not be suitable for the working conditions. In such a situation, it is advisable to consult with agricultural machine producer Rolmako advisors and provide the machine model, soil type, amount of residue, working depth, and the effect after a pass.
Get in touch – Rolmako advisors will help you choose and configure the right no-till machine for your field conditions.









