Falc has been making shredders for more than 30 years and has a successful history with cotton mulching – a key task in cotton stubble management.
With Australian distributor Inlon, Falc listened carefully to one cotton grower in Goondiwindi, Qld, which led to an even better machine.
In 2001, Falc developed the Kronos Cotton Mulcher for Australian growers. Even though it has been a popular mulcher, Falc and Inlon know the best way to stay ahead of the market is to listen to growers and contractors.
Norman Contract Farming, Goondiwindi, mulches up to 10,000 hectares a year.
David and Mark Norman had contracted with the Kronos mulcher since 1998. In 2016, they changed to another brand to get a 6-metre machine because, at the time, Falc did not make one.
“Ground compaction is a large concern,” Mark said. “A 6m machine runs on the same track as the cotton picker. This was the second time we tried a brand other than Falc, but over the years, customers made it clear the best mulch finish was from the Kronos. We approached Falc (via Inlon) to see if they could produce a 6m machine.”
With their local dealer, David Eglington, from Specialised Farm Machinery, Falc made the developments they sought. Falc had a 6.4m machine for years, so 6m didn’t seem like a big change. However, the Kronos is already the heaviest machine on the market, so cutting down to the essential width reduced the overall weight to allow the fitting of root cutters.
Belt life and durability were further improved with a new automatic belt tensioner, with the idler wheel supported on both sides with a new dual arm system.
“The Kronos overlapping comb shredder bars that make the difference,” Mark said. “They mulch aggressively through the cotton trash, consistently shredding the stalks and leaving the finest mulch. Accessibility, serviceability and mulch length are the key factors that keep me with the Falc product.”
The shorter the mulch, the faster it decays, setting up the ground for the next cotton season. Longer trash results in clumps and problems with water run-off.
With a 73.5m/s flail tip speed and 330hp driveline, Kronos delivers the ultimate power punch, and the 6m model covers six cotton beds with additional flails over the crop line. The Kronos floating top hitch and ratchet height-adjustable wheels maintain a consistent cutting height.
The new Falc Kronos 6.0m was launched in 2017.
- Visit www.falc.com.au or contact Inlon on 1800 772 407 for details.
