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However, the researchers state that with the heavy
equipment we have today, soil compaction isn’t just at
the top, it’s down deep within the subsoil.
Soil compaction is occurring at 20 centimeters (7.9
inches)—below where we generally till.
That’s important because the compacted depth
restricts where a plant’s roots can grow as it seeks
water and deeper-soil nutrients. The compaction also
reduces the amount of oxygen able to permeate the
soil, which adversely affects organisms in the soil (and
the crops, too).
However, farmers will indeed add fertilizers at a depth
where a plant’s roots systems can feed from—uh, how
much is fertilizer these days?
The weight conundrum leads to a perplexing problem,
according to the researchers.
But there is a solution.
AgriBrink has evolved a Tire Pressure Adjustment
System.
Headquartered in Moorefield, Ontario, the system is an
on-the-go tire pressure adjustment system that allows
a vehicle’s heavy tires to be inflated when using on
road but will perform a rapid deflation upon entering a
field.
When the fieldwork is done and the operator is ready
to enter a roadway, the tires are inflated again.
A superb idea, that inflates and deflates the tires
without the operator having to leave the comfort of the
cab, that above all else, lessens a tire’s imprint upon
the life-giving soil.
As the vehicle’s tires are deflated to reduce tire
pressure, the tires’ footprint flattens out under the
weight of the vehicle—not completely, though—just
enough to widen and lengthen the tire. This allows the
surface area of the tire—the part that touches the soil—
to increase.
While it may seem counterproductive, increasing the
tire’s surface area moves the weight of the vehicle
across a larger area and thus reduced soil compaction.
It’s simple physics. To reiterate, the wider a tire’s area,
the less stress is placed upon the corresponding
ground.
The Tire Pressure Adjustment System from AgriBrink
is fast during both inflation and deflation. It’s also
versatile, too.
The system offers an operator manual override system
should any part of the control system suffer a control
system failure. The benefit of that is to ensure no
downtime is experienced.
Another great aspect of the Tire Pressure Adjustment
System is that it is removable so that an operator can
move it from a baler, grain buggy, manure spreader,
tractor, or whatever you want and need. To attach
and detach the system, the quick-attach table is only
fastened by four bolts.
The sauropods weighed so much and trampled plants
and compacted the soil and subsoils that allowed their
food sources to grow. Your farm vehicle need not be
the dinosaur on the farm.
Although we aren’t at the tipping point where our farm
equipment is negatively rendering crop yield—if form
holds and larger vehicles are forthcoming, then having
a Tire Pressure Adjustment System will help maintain
your farm’s soil structure and prevent your farm from
going the way of the dinosaurs.
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