FIELDMAX by KNOCHE: Why Choosing the Right Roller Rings Is Key to Success in Fields and Pastures
The Fieldmax roller from KNOCHE has long been more than just a simple attachment. It is a precision tool for soil structure, seedbed quality, and pasture management. A key factor in this is the specially developed rings that KNOCHE offers for the Fieldmax. In particular, the in-house, corrugated Cambridge ring sets the machine apart from many competitors. But the optional 600-mm rings, as well as the star and crosskill rings with a 500-mm diameter, each fulfill their own specific tasks in the soil.
To help you make the right choice for your business, let’s take a closer look at the features and benefits of each ring type.
🌾 The corrugated Cambridge ring – the heart of the FIELDMAX
The Cambridge ring, developed in-house by KNOCHE, is not just a standard profile. Its characteristic corrugated shape ensures particularly uniform soil cultivation and offers several agronomic benefits:
What does the Cambridge ring do in crop production?
-
Optimal reconsolidation: The waves do not compact the soil over a broad area, but rather at specific points. This creates a stable capillary effect that draws moisture from deeper layers upward—ideal for uniform seed germination.
-
Crumbling effect: The shape reliably breaks up coarse clods and creates a fine, crumbly seedbed.
-
Self-cleaning: The wave shape allows clinging soil clumps to break away more easily, which is particularly advantageous in wet conditions.
Benefits on grassland
-
Improved turf care: The wave motion flattens molehills and closes gaps in the turf.
-
Gentle operation: The shape ensures even pressure without damaging the turf too severely.
🔧 Optional: 600-mm rings – larger circumference, reduced bulldozing effect
KNOCHE offers 600-mm rings for select FIELDMAX models. These larger rings really shine when used on light and sandy soils to avoid the bulldozing effect—that is, the pushing of soil forward.
Their strengths at a glance
-
Greater reconsolidation: Thanks to the larger diameter and higher weight, the soil is compacted more deeply.
-
Smoother operation: Larger rings run more stably, especially at higher speeds.
-
Ideal for heavy soils: Where smaller rings reach their limits, 600-mm rings provide the necessary structure.
⭐ Star rings – aggressive, loosening, ideal for grassland maintenance
The 500-mm star rings are the right choice when it comes to more intensive surface cultivation.
Their effect
-
Breaking up the turf: Perfect for opening up matted or mossy stands.
-
Improved aeration: The star-shaped tips lightly scratch the surface, promoting oxygen supply.
-
Good combination with overseeding: The opened structures create ideal conditions for germination.
- Good for soil structure: Star rings sort the clods. Fine soil settles at the bottom and larger clods remain on top. This allows water to drain well, the soil to warm up, and promotes gas-air exchange.
❌ Crosskill ring – the classic choice for a fine seedbed
The crosskill rings, with a diameter of 500 mm, are particularly popular in arable farming.
Why Crosskill?
-
Intensive crumbling: The serrated shape breaks up clods very effectively.
-
Self-cleaning through interlocking action: The rings interlock and dislodge adhering soil.
-
Perfect for light to medium soils: Here, they demonstrate their fine-crumbling effect particularly well.
🚜 Conclusion: Choosing the right rings makes all the difference
The FIELDMAX from KNOCHE is as versatile as the demands of arable farming and grassland management. The various ring types allow the machine to be precisely adapted to operational conditions:
-
Cambridge ring: All-rounder for reconsolidation, seedbed preparation, and grassland maintenance
-
600-mm rings: For light, sandy soils and to prevent the bulldozing effect
-
Star rings: For grassland maintenance, aeration, and pre-sowing preparation
-
Crosskill ring: For fine-crumbed seedbeds in arable farming and vegetable cultivation