The Thiessen steerable cultivator provides precise weeding without high-tech technology costs. The design also makes adjusting row spacing and changing implements easy. Ray Thiessen built the first unit for a customer in 2022. It worked so well that he made more and gathered user input.
“We had eight units out this past year for more feedback and made changes accordingly,” says Thiessen. “Most of the improvements were fine-tuning fabrication to make them more economical. However, we also pushed the toolbar back about 4 to 5 in. to accommodate the oversized wheels on many veggie farming tractors.”
What Thiessen didn’t change was the ability to switch out tools quickly. He uses the Tilmor tractor toolbar as the base unit.
“With our cultivator, you don’t have to rebuild the setup every time you change a tool,” says Thiessen. “You can switch from shovels to a finger-weeding setup in about 5 min.”
Another selling feature is the steerability option. While high-tech, automated systems are getting lots of attention, Thiessen sees a need for a manually steered system.
“Our steerable option bridges the gap between an older cultivator tractor and a new, automated, specialty system,” says Thiessen. “You can get precision cultivation without the cost of the new technologies. Until you get to larger operations, having a second person help for half a day or one day a week makes economic sense.”
The Thiessen steerable system accommodates 50 to 76 in. tire spacing, center to center. Easy-open and close hitch pins secure implements in place while making tool changes seamless. The system uses a standard 2-in. toolbar and is Category I and II compatible.
“Our seat position and footrest adjust easily for operator comfort,” says Thiessen.
The Thiessen steerable cultivator is priced at $6,000 CAD or $4,500 USD. Tilmor is distributing the system in the U.S.
Thiessen says affordability is key. “Our first-year sales have been very good,” he says.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Thiessen Tillage Equipment, 1167 Lakeshore Rd. W., St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada L2R 6P9 (ph 905-359-2210; info@thiessentillage.com; www.thiessentillage.com) or Tilmor, 295 Kurzen Rd. N, Dalton, Ohio 44618 (ph 330-985-0002 or toll-free 844-255-5864; info@tilmor.com; www.tilmor.com/en-us/).