How Does the Cover Crop Roller/Crimper Handle Standing Corn Stalks?
A large roller/crimper is being tested for its ability to roll down heavy cover crops to create a substantial layer of surface mulch into which corn or soybean can be planted or drilled. Several versions of this tool have been developed where a 12 to 16 inch diameter well casing serves as a rotor onto which crimping blades are attached around the rotor in a chevron wrapping pattern. Common widths of rotors are 3, 4, 6, 8, 10.5 and 15 feet. I and J Manufacturing in Lancaster County will build to the above sizes, or to a custom width if desired. Several researchers at Penn State are beginning their fourth year of trials with two different 10.5 feet—wide rollers. Rollers can be front or rear mounted on tractors. Results of trials where cover crops that are sprayed with reduced rates of burndown herbicide are then rolled and directly planted into have been very successful. Rolling/crimping without herbicide has produced less consistent results and it is in these conditions that most curren
