Local advantage with RFM Ag

Based in Coolamon in southern New South Wales, tillage equipment manufacturer RFM Ag says its range of Australian-designed, developed and manufactured gear will make light work of this season’s wet, sticky and heavy trash conditions, while also offering more frugal fuel usage, improved germination, and faster sowing speeds.

Specialising in innovative technology for no-till planting since 2008, the company says its press harrows, retrofit double discs, spring coil press wheels and tynes are in hot demand thanks to good seasonal conditions and increasing grower demand for Australian-made products.

“There is plenty of subsoil moisture and the seasonal outlook is good but growers will no doubt be having issues with their stubble loads,” said Bruce Hutcheon, Director and Sales Manager for RFM Ag.

“All our machines are now fully made in Australia for Australian conditions with design modifications made in conjunction with customer feedback.

“With the RFM Ag press harrows, we have made some durability and maintenance upgrades by redesigning the hinge-point on the main arm and the clamps where the coils bolt onto.”

Press harrows

The RFM Ag press harrows are a levelling harrow and coil packer in one, utilising three spring coils to eliminate mud and trash build up. They feature a quick-change angle and level position and have a low maintenance bearing design.

“We also have the new RFM Ag parallelogram tyne-mounted press wheel, a dual-purpose design that can be bolted onto the back of a tyne or disc unit. It has adjustable spring tensions and the ability to fit the majority of machines on the market,” Mr Hutcheon said.

“The action of the parallelogram allows for a constant seeding depth. The press wheel has the RFM Ag patented coil wheel which brings soft soil back over the top of the seed, leaving a firm tilth without smearing or crusting.

“Growers can also choose our standard coil press wheel which mounts across the back of any bar and comes in the narrow two-coil press wheel.

“The press wheels have a self-cleaning action avoiding the use of a chain and self-close the furrows.”

Retrofit double discs

RFM Ag says its retrofit double discs allow growers to achieve faster sowing speeds, better fuel consumption and better germination.

The company has developed the retrofit conversions for over 14 years to adapt to more than 50 planters worldwide, with the double discs allowing growers to convert their existing planting tine tip to a dual-purpose machine also suitable for pasture.

The disc has a 15-degree angle, giving it the ability to cut through the toughest stubble load – a serrated lead disc is 25mm in front of the following plain disc for easier penetration.

The large 450mm x 4mm plates are recessed to handle the roughest of conditions and are fitted with a newly designed axle-free hub with a non-greaseable sealed bearing reducing maintenance.

RFM Ag double discs are available in single- or double-boot models with 15-inch or 18-inch disc diameters and fitted with a tungsten scraper.

“The reduced draft and drag of the discs mean less fuel usage, better seed placement, moisture retention and faster seeding rate,” Mr Hutcheon said.

“The fact you can retrofit your old machine and quickly adapt from disc back to tine gives flexibility in busy seeding periods, while optional double plain discs are available and give a reduced soil throw for pasture seeding.

“Customer feedback has revealed using the RFM double disc results in 20-30 per cent higher planting speeds, and this is combined with 30 per cent less fuel.

“The double discs are out working in the sandy soils in Western Australia through to the rocky soils of South Australia, the Mallee soils in Victoria, the self-mulching soils in NSW and the grey and black soils in Queensland.

“In light conditions, growers can start seeding earlier with the discs over a tyne machine and at the end of the day, the disc angle is not minimising soil disturbance.”

Standard tyne

RFM Ag continues to stock the standard tyne with a universal clamp to fit most tool bars. It has adjustable pressure with a high breakout of 400-600lb, making them ideal for no-till farming.

“Over the years we have improved the tyne with a brass bush, solid tapered bolt and nut, and a grease point, and it comes with a single- or double-bolt-hole tyne leg.

“Our in-house design team has come up with another tyne design which is adaptable simply by moving one pin to place the tension spring in different spots to run from 350lb to 700lb pressure.

“This tyne can also be converted to a hydraulic tyne.”

RFM Ag has a full range of spare parts and back-up service at its Coolamon manufacturing plant, with products in stock and payment on delivery.

The company will be displaying its full range of tillage equipment at the nation’s major field days in 2022. Click here for more information.