Versatile use - Finer XL
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In France, the Finer XL is used on stony soils. Jean-Marc Hugot shows how the spring tine cultivator can be used throughout the year.
The Langres Plateau in France is characterised by cool conditions, shallow, stony soils, and around 800 mm of annual rainfall. This is where, Jean-Marc Hugot, together with his brother and nephew Pierrick, farms around 700 ha of arable land. The crop rotation is typical for the region: rapeseed, wheat, winter and spring barley, as well as smaller shares of sunflowers, peas, and lentils. The family has been practicing reduced tillage for more than 25 years. "Over the years, we discovered that this results in new challenges—for example, with mice, slugs, and cereal leaf beetles. A shallow cultivator pass can be quite useful in these situations. It contributes to mineralisation while simultaneously disturbing slugs and their egg deposits," Jean-Marc Hugot says.
"So we were looking for a machine that is versatile enough to be used year-round," he explains. The advantages of the Finer XL immediately appealed to him. The 6-bar tine zone with 15 cm tine spacing and the well-proven point range allow for using the machine for stubble cultivation and seedbed preparation. All-over cutting, too, is possible without any problems. Due to the 50 cm bar spacing and a frame height of 60 cm, the Finer XL provides generous clearance and ensures a consistent mixing even with high amounts of organic residue.
Sophisticated concept
"What we particularly like about the Finer XL is the overall concept – especially the fact that it's a trailed machine." The Finer is used for first and second stubble cultivation. "We work at a depth of 8 cm for the first pass. This works very well. Even with rapeseed residue, which we didn't chop this time, the machine runs smoothly without blockages." The working depth can be adjusted hydraulically in the cabin while driving. Jean-Marc Hugot emphasises: "It's very comfortable. You can see what you're doing, and you can intervene directly without getting off the tractor." His nephew, Pierrick, is now often responsible for stubble cultivation. He completes the task independently and thus step-by-step takes on responsibility.
"So far, the machine has covered about 400 to 500 ha. Due to the carbide points, there is hardly any wear – even on our stony and rocky soils," Jean-Marc Hugot says. The sturdy frame with swivel chassis also contributes to the cultivator working reliably even in demanding conditions.
Appropriate machine
The conditions in the region pose special challenges. The rootable soil layer is usually only between 15 and 30 cm deep. "We don't want to bring the stones to the surface unnecessarily. The Finer with its spring tines ensures the desired movement in the topsoil without creating coarse clods," Jean-Marc Hugot points out. In addition to stubble cultivation, the farm also uses the Finer XL to cultivate fields and encourage soil warming in spring.
For the coming season, the cultivator will be equipped with duck foot coulters. "Thus, we can use it for mechanical weed control or for catch crop cultivation," the farmer explains. This makes the machine a universal solution: "If I had to describe the Finer XL in one word, I would say: versatile – because it can be flexibly adapted to different tasks and seasons." Thus, the farm found the right tool for every requirement.
Jean-Marc Hugot has been connected to agriculture for all his life: "Even as a child, I used to ride on the tractor with my father. Farming isn't always easy, but it's very fulfilling, especially when you get a good harvest. For me, it was a calling." He now shares his passion and responsibility with his nephew Pierrick who gets increasingly involved in all the farm's processes. And with the birth of his son Baptiste, the course for the future is set.