The machine is selected based on both the quantity and type of post-harvest residues. With a small amount of straw or well-shredded mulch residues, a shallower, less aggressive operation with a mulch harrow or a disc harrow is usually sufficient. With a large volume of plant matter, long straw, or rapeseed or maize residues, greater clearance, good material flow, effective cutting and mixing, and a clog-resistant roller are more important.

A mulch harrow (e.g., the SpringExpert) is a good choice when, after the harvest, you want very shallow work, even distribution of post-harvest residues, and rapid stimulation of volunteers and weeds to sprout. A disc harrow for ultra shallow cultivation, such as the SpeedCutter from Rolmako, can perform a similar function. These are good solutions for reducing moisture loss, working on stubble, and preparing the field for the next main operation. However, they are not tools for deep loosening or intensively mixing a large mass of plant residues with the soil.

A disc harrow is effective when, after the harvest, you need to not only shallowly disturb the stubble but also cut and mix post-harvest residues with the soil. It can be used for cultivation after cereals, rapeseed, maize, and catch crops, especially when a larger amount of plant matter remains in the field. It is a good choice if the goal is faster residue decomposition, surface levelling, and preparing the field for the next operation.

Rolmako's multifunctional tillage cultivator U436 is a good choice when, after the harvest, a more robust operation with tines is needed: undercutting the stubble, deeper soil loosening, and more intensive mixing of residues. It is effective where very shallow cultivation, a mulch harrow, or working with discs alone does not produce the desired effect, for example, with greater soil compaction, the need for fuller undercutting, or a larger amount of residue.

A set like Rolmako's ComboTill is worth choosing when you need to combine two effects: more intensive work with tines and the surface distribution of residues.

• The cultivator undercuts the stubble, loosens the soil, and mixes residues in a deeper layer.
• The mulch harrow distributes material across the surface and helps to even out the finish after the pass.

It's a good solution when dealing with a large amount of residue, unevenly spread straw, or where a single pass needs to do more than just shallowly cultivate the stubble.

Yes, the Rolmako U624 Chisel plough can be used for post harvest cultivation, but not as a typical first pass. It works well when the goal is not only to mix residues but also to deeply loosen the soil profile without inverting the furrow. Compared to the SpringExpert mulch harrow, the SpeedCutter disc harrow, or the Rolmako U436 multifunctional tillage cultivator, it works deeper and is more power-demanding. Therefore, it's best chosen in situations requiring more significant soil intervention, rather than just shallow cultivation of the stubble after harvest.

The choice of roller depends on the machine type, working depth, soil moisture, and the amount of post-harvest residue.

• In shallow cultivation, good ground contour following and even consolidation are important.
• In heavier conditions, important factors include clod crushing, self-cleaning, and a free flow of material.

A poorly chosen roller can worsen the working effect: it can clog, leave an uneven surface, or over-compact the soil.

The first pass after harvest is usually done shallowly to limit soil drying and stimulate volunteers to emerge. Deeper cultivation makes sense when there is a lot of residue in the field, the soil is compacted, or the seedbed needs more intensive preparation for the next pass. The most important thing is that the depth should be determined by the cultivation goal and field conditions, not by habit.

Yes, properly executed post-harvest cultivation can reduce water loss from the soil. A shallow pass after the harvest interrupts evaporation from the field's surface and lightly covers post-harvest residues without excessively drying out deeper layers. However, working too deeply in dry conditions can have the opposite effect.

Yes, especially when it is done shallowly and quickly after the harvest. Disturbing the top layer of soil creates better conditions for the germination of seeds on or just below the surface. This allows them to be destroyed in a subsequent pass before they become a problem for the next crop.

After harvesting cereals, the most important thing is to quickly work the stubble and assess how much straw is left in the field. With a large amount of chopped straw, you need to ensure it is evenly distributed and shallowly mixed in, so it doesn't form swathes that make subsequent operations more difficult. If the straw has been removed, the first pass can be shallower and less intensive – its main purpose will be to limit soil drying and to stimulate volunteers and weeds to grow.

After rapeseed and maize, stubble cultivation must be adapted to the large amount of crop residue. After rapeseed, it is important to shallowly stimulate volunteers and mix the stems with the topsoil. After maize, it is more important to properly shred and evenly distribute the tough residues to prevent the machine from clogging during subsequent passes. In both cases, it is worth choosing a machine with good material flow and a configuration capable of handling a large volume of post-harvest residue.

After the first stubble cultivation, the residues should be evenly distributed and lightly mixed with the top layer of soil, and the field surface should be level, without deep ruts or large swathes of straw. The operation should encourage volunteers and weeds to germinate, but without excessively drying out the soil. If, after a pass, you notice large uncovered residues, uneven swathes, or soil that has been inverted too deeply, you should adjust the working depth, speed, or your choice of machine.

A machine most often clogs when there is a large amount of long, unevenly distributed residue in the field, and the clearance or spacing of the working elements is insufficient for free material flow. The cause may also be excessively wet post-harvest material, too great a working depth, or an incorrect speed. Check:

• the shredding of the material,
• the working depth,
• the operating speed,
• the point where the residue begins to block (between the working elements, in front of the roller, or under the machine frame).

If the problem persists, consider using a machine with greater clearance and better material flow.

If the material is mostly left on the surface, it's worth checking whether:

• the residues are properly mulched,
• the straw or stalks are not left in swathes behind the combine harvester,
• the machine is operating at the correct depth,
• the working speed ensures good mixing,
• the discs, tines, or blades are not worn,
• the roller does not obstruct the flow of material.

If the result is still poor after making adjustments, the problem may be that the machine is not suitable for the amount of residue or the working configuration is too gentle.

When post-harvest cultivation dries out the soil, you usually need to reduce the working depth and intensity. A pass that is too deep in dry conditions opens up the soil profile and increases moisture loss. You should consider:

• working shallower,
• less aggressive settings,
• a machine for ultra shallow cultivation.

If there is significant unevenness before cultivation, post-harvest cultivation alone may not remove it. In that case, you should adjust the settings, choose a different roller, or plan another levelling pass. Also, check whether:

• the machine is working evenly across its entire width,
• the working depth is not too shallow or unstable,
• the working speed does not cause the machine to bounce,
• the post-harvest residue is not lying in swathes,
• the roller is following the ground contour well and finishing the machine's work.

If the tractor is losing speed, has high wheel slip, or is constantly working at its limit, you should check whether:

• the machine is not working too deep,
• the working speed is appropriate for the conditions,
• the working elements are not set too aggressively,
• the post-harvest residue does not block the flow of material,
• the soil is not too wet, compacted, or heavy,
• the working width and weight of the machine match the tractor's power.

The problem is related to the settings if it can be mitigated by changing the depth, speed, pressure, working angle, or agri roller configuration. If, despite these adjustments, the machine continues to clog, mixes residue poorly, leaves an uneven field, or overloads the tractor, the cause may be that the machine is not suited to the conditions. In such a situation, it is worth consulting with agricultural machine producer Rolmako advisors about equipment configuration and selection, regardless of which manufacturer's equipment you use to cultivate your land. Soil specifics or current weather conditions can be unpredictable, so together we can adjust the machine's settings to better meet the current challenges in the field and fully utilise its potential.