Choosing the Right Roller Diameter for Your Farm
Sep 04, 2023 Posted by Stewart Knight
The first question we need to ask is what problem am I trying to solve?
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- Post seeding to flatten clods and get better soil to seed contact?
- Pressing in rocks to save damage on hay equipment?
- Is it cattle pugged pasture after a wet winter?
While each diameter has its ideal application, some diameters will be suitable for more than one task.
24" Diameter Roller
For a post seeding application, we recommend a 24” diameter trailing roller. This unit has the optimal weight per square metre to provide good seed soil contact and promote quicker plant emergence, giving the seed the best conditions possible for an even germination rate and more even maturation. The 24" will also destroy clods and push in small rocks – leaving a flat, smooth surface on your seedbed. It is also ideal for use pre-seeding to firm up “fluffy soil” which assists seed drills obtain more consistent seed depth.
30" Diameter Roller
To smooth and consolidate your pasture after winter, pressing in those rocks and saving costly damage to hay equipment in preparation for hay season a 30” diameter roller is the answer. A 30” can also be used as a post seed roller in most applications particularly where larger rocks are preset. In most cases where larger rocks are present, it is better suited for post seed rolling than a 24” as the larger rolling circumference won’t ‘chock and skip’ over larger rocks like a 24” is prone to do. This versatility and range of use make the 30” one of the most popular diameter rollers to suit most mixed farm operations.
42" Diameter Roller
If you’re looking for a tool to smooth out cattle pugged pastures after winter. Then a 42” is your weapon of choice. The combination of weight and the larger rolling circumference is the perfect balance to smooth cattle pugging and press in rocks; however, we don’t recommend these rollers be used for post seeding applications as the roller is so heavy it could bury the seed too deep or even crack or damage more sensitive seeds.
48" Diameter Roller - Conquering Heavy Pugging and Large Rocks
If you are dealing with heavy pugging and large football sized rocks the 48” is the ultimate tool. These units have a fully wrap around frame with an impressive total weight range up to nearly 9 tons with ballast. They will actually shatter some types of rock whilst others will be pressed back in flush with the soil surface.
Impress Roller
If dealing with pugging only issues and short weather windows, then another option is to use an Impress roller. These 3-point linkage mounted rollers are only 24” inch in diameter but have the added benefit of downforce by weight being transferred from the tractor onto the roller. Combined with roller ballast weight we are able to achieve a similar pound per square inch as you would with a larger roller.
So, in conclusion, when choosing the best diameter roller for you the most important thing to consider is "is my roller for post seeding, pressing in small rocks, for pugged pastures or for multi-use applications”.
The team at Delmade would be happy to answer questions you may have 1800 335 623 or check out the range Rollers - Delmade.
