Kuhn Farm Machinery won a gold award in the Arable Establishment Innovation category at Lamma for its Smart Soil Technology (SST) and Isobus connectivity introduced on its Optimer 6000 and 7500 stubble cultivators.
Due to be launched in the UK in 2026, the system allows operators to manage cultivator settings from the cab, with automatic adjustments for an even working depth and tracking on slopes. SST features Steady Control Exclusive, which uses a combination of pressure and position sensors to adjust disc depth to changing field topography and soil types. It prevents downtime for manual adjustments of working depth, while using soil map data to determine depth is also possible.
To correct the Optimer’s position behind the tractor when working across slopes, an Auto-Line function uses live data to centre the implement behind the tractor. Edd Fanshawe, Kuhn’s arable and connected services product specialist, says this offers several benefits.
“Regardless of slopes or changes in soil type, SST uses a central coulter to measure the position of the Optimer in relation to forward movement. The system modifies the position by using the gauge wheel and rear roller to offset the forces on the front and rear disc rows and ensure a true pull line behind the tractor. Operator comfort will be increased and work rates improved.”
Additional benefits include reduced fuel consumption by preventing deep and uneven cultivations, while a constant angle for each disc is maintained for an even working tilth to support future germination. Pass to pass overlap is also reduced as the system aims to achieve pass widths as close as possible to the actual machine.
Edd explains there is additional automation when turning on field headlands. “SST features section control that allows the Optimer to raise and lower automatically on each run. The operator can also select the machine to turn on the rear roller to reduce soil compaction or use the transport wheels if conditions suit. There is also an automatic folding sequence for improved safety during transport,” Edd concludes.
