With the increasing attention being paid to soil health and the growing knowledge about how healthy soils contribute to overall yields, many terms are being used — and sometimes misused. One of those is vertical tillage. To understand whether this practice is right for your operation, it is important to look past the name and focus on the agronomic results that these machines provide.
To start, it helps to think of vertical tillage just as you would any form of conservation tillage: as more than just a single operation or piece of equipment. Instead, think of it as a strategic choice to actively manage crop residue and preserve the soil density profile to fit the unique needs of your region, crop or field.
A successful vertical tillage strategy should give you a seedbed with a more consistent soil density and residue placed where it will do the most good based on your specific crop and conditions.
A lot to love, right? There is, but if you’re considering integrating vertical tillage into your operation, there are a few things to remember. First, keep in mind that for weed and fertilizer management, it’s all about the angle you’re running. Vertical tillage does a good job of removing weeds and incorporating fertilizer when run at a more aggressive angle. However, running a vertical tillage tool at a zero-degree angle will not do a good job of controlling weeds or incorporating fertilizer but can help size residue and dry out soil. If there’s a place for vertical tillage in your operation, make sure the tools you’re using are designed to meet your residue management goals.
Vertical tillage tools typically use shallow discs instead of sweeps or deeply concave discs that move soil horizontally to help pin down residue and allow the soil biology to break residue down quicker. At the same time, vertical tillage tools are also designed to size, mix, and place crop residue exactly how and where you want.
Because every field presents a different challenge, Case IH has engineered a diverse lineup of tillage equipment designed to size, mix and place residue without compromising the soil structure. Whether you are using a tool for true vertical slicing or deeper incorporation, make sure your tools are designed to meet your specific residue management goals.
For growers who do not need deep incorporation, the True-Tandem™ 335VT vertical tillage tool is an ideal choice for high-speed spring work. It runs efficiently ahead of the planter, leaving residue in the top 3 inches of the soil to help maximize seed-to-soil contact while maintaining a flat seedbed floor. If you require more aggressive cutting and sizing for a "blacker" finish to help the soil warm faster, the True-Tandem™ 335 Barracuda vertical tillage tool uses serrated blades to reach deeper and anchor residue in high-wind areas.
While those tools offer specialized performance, the VT-Flex™ 435 vertical tillage tool provides the ultimate in dual-season flexibility by allowing you to adjust gang angles on the fly. To ensure a perfect finish across any of these models, Case IH now offers an optional double TigerPaw™ Crumbler®. This newer addition provides superior clod sizing and field levelness to ensure that you are ready for high-efficiency planting.
The ability to move from aggressive fall mixing to a gentle spring finish is made even more productive through the integration of Case IH Soil Command™ tillage technology. While available across the entire lineup, it is now a standard offering on the larger VT-Flex 435 models (25-, 30- and 34-foot models). This system acts as the brain of your vertical tillage equipment, ensuring that every acre is treated with the precision required for optimal soil health.
From the comfort of the cab, Soil Command technology allows you to manage the following agronomic essentials in real time:
This level of in-cab control ensures that your vertical tillage equipment is always optimized for the specific agronomic needs of your soil, preventing over-tilling and reducing fuel consumption. By focusing on soil health and choosing the right tools, you are creating a high-efficiency environment where every seed has the best possible chance to thrive.
Talk to your local Case IH dealer to find the right match for your operation.