Deep ripping improves water filtration within the soil and breaks through sodic layers down to the clay beneath, effectively transforming soil types and paving the way for healthier crops.
The AP102 Agrowplow was designed to rip down to 750mm with the HD rigid shank featuring a breakout at the blade of over 15 tonne, breaking through the bleach and sodic layers holding SA soils back, and lifting good clay into the topsoil.
The Yorke Peninsula Field Days recently bore witness to the AP102 Deep Ripper, a game-changer in the world of deep ripping. With its ability to rip to 750mm depths and with an ultra-strong heavy-duty 300 x 300 x 16mm RHS toolbar, it's no wonder that South Australian farmers have quickly taken to this remarkable implement.
Scott Bascombe of Bascombe Auto Ag, who consulted alongside Agrowplow engineers in the plough's development, shared his insights into why the AP102 Deep Ripper is making waves in the region.
“It is able to rip into the tightest conditions to extreme depths without limitation of break out or riding up on hard pans," Scott said.
This is a particular issue for South Australian soils, where bleach layers and sodicity are a constant headache for farmers. The AP102 takes this challenge head-on, with its ability to break through these hard layers down to the clay beneath, effectively transforming the soil type and paving the way for healthier, more productive crops.
"We used to try and break through the sodic layer with Agrowplow AP72's equipped with the 600mm #9 Shank," explains Scott. "But this combination would either constantly break out, or ride up on the hard layer."
These limitations created frustration amongst local SA farmers as it hindered ripping progress, costing time and money. The AP102 was designed to handle all these tasks without compromise. It's a testament to its strength, breakout capacity, and the depth it can achieve.
One of the standout features of the AP102 Deep Ripper is its ability to penetrate even the toughest soil conditions to extreme depths. Unlike its predecessors, it doesn't suffer from the issues of breakout or riding up on hard pans. This means that South Australian farmers can confidently tackle the most challenging terrains, breaking through bleach and sodic layers down to the clay beneath. This breakthrough not only improves soil types but also enhances water filtration in the soil, allowing moisture to penetrate deeper.
South Australia's agricultural landscape can be challenging, with diverse soil types and varying conditions. Scott Bascombe's involvement in the award winning AP102's development ensures that the plough meets the specific needs of the region.
Across sand-over-clay country, a pale bleach layer often sits between the topsoil and the clay below. It's acidic, low in nutrients, and roots simply can't get past it. That means your crop is farming just the top layer of hungry sand, while the moisture and goodness in the clay below sit out of reach.
Sodic soils are the same story with a different cause. Known for their high sodium content, sodic layers hinder root growth and water infiltration, limiting the potential of your land.
Standard rippers either ride up on these hard layers or break out before they get there. The AP102 takes the challenge head-on, breaking through the bleach and sodic layers down to the clay beneath, and lifting the good clay back into your topsoil.
The AP102 does more than loosen the ground. The shape of the HD shank drives beneath the clay, lifting and shattering it up through the profile, the same job a dedicated delver does, built into a deep ripper:
Deep ripping and delving duties in one machine, one pass.
Fitted with inclusion plates, the AP102 carries surface-spread lime, gypsum or clay down through the profile as you rip, putting your ameliorants right where they're needed. For soil transformation work, we recommend the AP102 fitted with inclusion plates.
Peter Treloar farms south of Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula: 450mm rainfall, sand over clay with a bleach layer sitting between the topsoil and the clay below.
"We've tried some deep ripping in the past. It's, to my mind, been transformational to a lot of this property. It breaks up the hardpan and it breaks up the bleach layer, and incorporates a good red clay into the topsoil."
Peter had been spreading lime and gypsum across the paddock for years; lime for soil acidity, gypsum to support his canola program. With inclusion plates fitted, the AP102 carried both down into the profile in the same pass.
Even through a dry 2024, just 300mm, the result held. "There's no moisture in the soil really, but it seems to be doing it just fine."
On why he chose the AP102 over traditional delvers: "It's more of a complete machine. The early rippers were pretty straightforward with straight tynes and struggled to get into the depth we needed. The Agrowplow, going on today's performance, seems to do all the things we want in one machine."
Water is the lifeblood of any farm, and its distribution within the soil is critical. Deep ripping improves water filtration within the soil. By creating pathways for moisture to penetrate deeper into the earth, it ensures crops have access to water where and when they need it most.
Row, spacings & working width configurations
RHS Frame: 300 x 300 x 16 mm
Linkage: Trailing with hydraulic level lift
Required Drawbar Power: 400 to 500+ hp
Machine Options: Rear tow hitch, trailing Flexi-Roller
Farmers appreciate the AP102 for its ability to conquer the toughest terrains and improve soil quality without the limitations of previous equipment. It's not just a plough; it's a tool that unlocks the potential of the land, by increasing productivity and improving soil health.
Contact us to speak to our team about the right machine and configuration for you.
Deep ripping and delving solve different constraints. Get the diagnosis wrong and you can spend real money loosening soil that didn't need loosening, or fail to fix the layer that was actually holding your yield back. Here's how the two compare, and how growers and researchers are working out which one a paddock needs.
