Diamond-Shaped Tillage Chain Catches On Worldwide
The diamond harrow design of Kelly disc chains is unique in the tillage world with its four diagonal rolling chains. Known as prickle chains in Australia, they include interspersed discs. Peter Kelly was the first to attach them in a diamond formation. He did so for use on his own farm originally and then started building them for neighbors. He and his son Shane have continued modifying and expanding the systems for use in seedbed preparation, cover crop termination, and weed control.
“In the early 1990’s, the Kelly farm was dealing with extremely heavy residue loads and needed a tool to manage them,” says Taylor Reid, Kelly Tillage. “Prickle chains were not unique at the time, but his design with its overlapping wing fold was highly original and effective. He realized he could increase the chain’s effectiveness by increasing the working area of each link.”
Kelly disc chains operate at only 1 to 2-in. depths, depending on soil type, blade sharpness, disc weight, and density/distribution of crop residue. This minimalist approach to tillage has made the system a popular option for spring cover crop termination.
“The disc chain mulches and incorporates the cover crop, returning the nutrients and organic matter to the soil, providing a fertile growing environment for the cash crop,” says Reid.
Kelly disc chains are manufactured and assembled in Australia and by a local partner in Argentina. A North American assembly plant in Missouri was recently announced. Reid reports the machines are used in 34 countries on every continent aside from Antarctica.
The tillage systems are offered in five overlapping wing models and the 12X, a new, low horsepower, fixed frame model. Each model can be customized with one or a combination of four different disc chains. They vary from the 20-lb. W36 with a chain weight of 36 lb./ft. to the CL2 with its 53-lb. discs and 74-lb./ft. chain weight. Three of the disc chains are full discs, while the spiked disc chain features 10 spikes per disc center. It’s recommended for weed removal.
The 12X is the latest product added to the Kelly Tillage System line. Reid describes it as a combination of the effectiveness of the disc chain with the simplicity and low hp. requirements of a sturdy frame. It requires only 60 to 80 hp.
“The larger Kelly Tillage Systems are intended for broad acre cropping,” says Reid. “The 12X has a range of uses from smoothing wheel ruts in dirt roads or irrigation ruts in a field to preparing food plots and controlling weeds in rice turn rows.”
The tillage systems can be fitted with seeders, both Kelly-designed and Montag. Hoppers vary in size from 30 bu. to 70 bu., depending on the system’s center frame.
“Contact your Kelly dealer to customize a Kelly disc chain system to your soils, vegetation residue, and weed control needs,” says Reid.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Kelly Tillage Systems, 684 Kelly Road, Booleroo Center, South Australia 5482 Australia
(ph 011 61 8 8667 2253; www.kellytillage.com).
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Diamond-Shaped Tillage Chain Catches On Worldwide DISKS The diamond harrow design of Kelly disc chains is unique in the tillage world with its four diagonal rolling chains Known as prickle chains in Australia they include interspersed discs Peter Kelly was the first to attach them in a diamond formation He did so for use on his own farm originally and then started building them for neighbors He and his son Shane have continued modifying and expanding the systems for use in seedbed preparation cover crop termination and weed control “In the early 1990’s the Kelly farm was dealing with extremely heavy residue loads and needed a tool to manage them ” says Taylor Reid Kelly Tillage “Prickle chains were not unique at the time but his design with its overlapping wing fold was highly original and effective He realized he could increase the chain’s effectiveness by increasing the working area of each link ” Kelly disc chains operate at only 1 to 2-in depths depending on soil type blade sharpness disc weight and density/distribution of crop residue This minimalist approach to tillage has made the system a popular option for spring cover crop termination “The disc chain mulches and incorporates the cover crop returning the nutrients and organic matter to the soil providing a fertile growing environment for the cash crop ” says Reid Kelly disc chains are manufactured and assembled in Australia and by a local partner in Argentina A North American assembly plant in Missouri was recently announced Reid reports the machines are used in 34 countries on every continent aside from Antarctica The tillage systems are offered in five overlapping wing models and the 12X a new low horsepower fixed frame model Each model can be customized with one or a combination of four different disc chains They vary from the 20-lb W36 with a chain weight of 36 lb /ft to the CL2 with its 53-lb discs and 74-lb /ft chain weight Three of the disc chains are full discs while the spiked disc chain features 10 spikes per disc center It’s recommended for weed removal The 12X is the latest product added to the Kelly Tillage System line Reid describes it as a combination of the effectiveness of the disc chain with the simplicity and low hp requirements of a sturdy frame It requires only 60 to 80 hp “The larger Kelly Tillage Systems are intended for broad acre cropping ” says Reid “The 12X has a range of uses from smoothing wheel ruts in dirt roads or irrigation ruts in a field to preparing food plots and controlling weeds in rice turn rows ” The tillage systems can be fitted with seeders both Kelly-designed and Montag Hoppers vary in size from 30 bu to 70 bu depending on the system’s center frame “Contact your Kelly dealer to customize a Kelly disc chain system to your soils vegetation residue and weed control needs ” says Reid Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Kelly Tillage Systems 684 Kelly Road Booleroo Center South Australia 5482 Australia ph 011 61 8 8667 2253; www kellytillage com
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