The SpeedCutter is a great choice when ultra shallow work with discs is required: undercutting or disturbing the topsoil, cutting residue, and quickly stimulating volunteers. This harrow from Rolmako is a good option for the first shallow pass after the harvest, especially where conserving soil moisture is a priority.

The ProCut and TurboCut knife rollers are part of ultra shallow cultivation technology, although their main task is to cut and shred plant mass on the field's surface. They can work independently on catch crops or residue, but they often support a subsequent operation, such as work with the SpeedCutter, a disc harrow, or a cultivator. Choose them when a large amount of residue needs to be cut and evenly distributed before shallow soil disturbance.

The MATRIX uses star wheels that very shallowly agitate the top layer of soil, pulling out small weeds and breaking up soil crust. In ultra shallow cultivation, it helps create conditions for the emergence of volunteers and weeds and improves straw decomposition, while not functioning as a deep-loosening machine. It is a solution for fast, surface-level work after harvest.

The SpringExpert from the Rolmako range (unlike the SpeedCutter) does not rely on discs for its work, so it is better suited for situations where you want to distribute material and stimulate emergence rather than aggressively cut and mix residue with the soil.

Yes, the ComboTill can be used for ultra shallow cultivation, especially after harvest. It works well when, in addition to shallow stubble breaking, it is also necessary to distribute residues and stimulate volunteers. It is not just a machine for surface cutting, like a knife roller, but a unit that combines the work of a cultivator and a mulching harrow in a single pass.

The more long, unevenly distributed mass in the field, the more important it is to shred the residues, ensure material flow through the machine, and reduce the risk of clogging. In practice, you can follow these simple rules:

• little residue, fine straw, even distribution – SpringExpert, MATRIX or SpeedCutter,
• stubble requiring very shallow breaking and stimulation of volunteers – SpeedCutter,
• a lot of stems, catch crops, rapeseed or maize – ProCut or TurboCut for cutting and shredding plant mass,
• a lot of residue and a need to combine the action of tines with material distribution – ComboTill.

A machine for ultra shallow cultivation is selected based on the tractor's power, acreage, and expected efficiency. Agricultural machinery manufacturer Rolmako's offer includes farming machines with a width of around 3–4 m, such as the ProCut or smaller SpeedCutter configurations, as well as wider solutions for larger farms, e.g., the PowerDisc up to 12 m, the ComboTill up to 6 m, or the SpringExpert in 6.0, 7.5, and 9.0 m versions. A wider working width speeds up the operation but requires a power reserve, stable guidance, and good transport conditions.

A machine for ultra shallow cultivation is usually set to a few centimetres, most often around 2–5 cm. If the machine works deeper, the operation is no longer considered ultra shallow cultivation.

In ultra shallow cultivation, a fairly high but stable working speed is important – so that the machine maintains a consistent shallow depth, does not bounce, and leaves an even effect across the entire working width. For Rolmako machines, the following is assumed:

• for the SpeedCutter disc harrow, working at a depth of 2–5 cm at a speed of up to 20 km/h,
• for the SpringExpert, a range of 10–25 km/h, with a recommended speed above 15 km/h.

Yes, but only if the machine is designed for it and set up correctly. Ultra shallow cultivation is about evenly undercutting or disturbing the entire cultivated surface at a very shallow depth. The SpeedCutter disc harrow is a disc harrow designed to work at a depth of 2-3 cm for a perfect cut.

Yes, provided that the operation is genuinely shallow. Ultra shallow cultivation interrupts evaporation from the field surface and does not dry out the deeper soil layers. If the machine works too deep, the effect can be the opposite.

Yes, that is one of the main goals of ultra shallow cultivation. Shallow disturbance of the topsoil creates better conditions for the germination of volunteers and weeds, which can then be destroyed with a subsequent pass. It is important not to work too deeply, as the seeds may be covered by too thick a layer of soil and emergence will be less even.

That depends on the purpose of the operation. One pass may be sufficient for quick stubble disturbance, reducing moisture loss, and evenly distributing residues. If the goal is to stimulate volunteers and weeds, a second pass is usually needed after they emerge to destroy them mechanically before the next stage of cultivation.

After ultra shallow cultivation, the stubble should be evenly disturbed or undercut at a shallow depth, crop residues should be spread without large strips or blockages, volunteers should be stimulated to grow, and the surface prepared for the next operation. Furthermore, the soil should not be deeply mixed or excessively dried out.

With ultra shallow cultivation, you must pay special attention to ensure the machine follows the ground contours evenly and works across its entire width. Uncut strips usually result from:

• insufficient working depth,
• uneven ground,
• excessive speed,
• worn working elements.

If the problem persists after adjusting the depth and speed, it is worth checking the condition of the discs, knives, or tines and ensuring the machine is suitable for the conditions.

It is worth checking whether:

• the residues are well chopped and evenly distributed,
• the machine is not working too deep or too fast,
• material is not getting blocked in front of the working elements or the roller,
• the discs, knives, or tines are not worn out.

If clogging persists despite adjustments, the problem may be that the machine is not suitable for the amount and type of crop residue. Rolmako machines can often be expanded with new cultivation sections, for example, a front knife roller to assist cultivation ahead of the main working section of the tillage machine. Rolmako has a whole range of machines mounted on the front three-point linkage, which can be treated as an additional tool before the main cultivator operates.

Make sure that:

• the machine worked evenly across its entire width,
• the treatment was not performed too deep,
• crop residue is not lying in strips,
• the soil had sufficient moisture for germination,
• the volunteer seeds were not mixed in too deep.

If the goal is to stimulate volunteers, ultra shallow cultivation should only slightly disturb the top layer of soil and create even conditions for germination.

First, you need to correct the depth setting and check if the working elements are following the ground contours evenly. With ultra shallow cultivation, even a few extra centimetres changes the effect of the treatment: the soil is mixed more intensely, loses moisture faster, and volunteers can be covered too deeply.

With ultra shallow cultivation, even slight deviations affect the treatment's outcome. The machine may bounce or fail to maintain a shallow depth even with minor field unevenness or incorrect settings. It is worth checking whether:

• the operating speed is not too high,
• the machine has even contact with the ground,
• the working depth is set uniformly across the entire width,
• the field does not have ruts, large clods, or transverse unevenness,
• the working elements are not worn out,
• the hitch and roller settings do not interfere with the machine's tracking.

First of all, check whether:

• the residue was evenly spread by the combine harvester,
• the straw or stems are not too long,
• the machine is working at the correct depth,
• the speed is not causing material to be thrown into strips,
• the roller or rear components are not gathering residue in one place,
• a ProCut, TurboCut, or SpringExpert would not be a better choice for these conditions.

If residue is regularly left in strips, the problem may stem not only from the machine's settings but also from the prior shredding and distribution of material after the harvest.

The problem usually stems from the settings if it can be mitigated by adjusting the depth, speed, down pressure, ground contouring, or agricultural roller settings. A mismatched machine is more likely when, despite such adjustments, the equipment still doesn't undercut the entire surface, clogs with residue, works too deep, or fails to produce an even effect after a pass. If the problem persists, it is worth consulting with farm machinery manufacturer Rolmako advisors about equipment selection; it might just be the best time to choose a machine from our company.