German agricultural machinery manufacturer Treffler has expanded its precision soil cultivation portfolio with the introduction of the TGA Plus, a new mounted shallow cultivator designed to operate more effectively in fields containing substantial crop residues. Building on the established TGA platform, the new version features a revised frame configuration with greater spacing between successive tine rows. The distance between the first and second rows increases to 75 cm, while the following interval reaches 85 cm. An additional tine positioned ahead of the main rows has also been moved forward, creating more clearance for crop material to pass through the machine. The TGA Plus will be available in working widths of 3.0, 4.7 and 6.1 metres, alongside the existing TGA range.
The cultivator retains Treffler’s shallow full-width cutting concept, with working depths starting at approximately 2 cm. Its spring-loaded tines are designed to maintain consistent cutting geometry, while 30 cm duckfoot shares operate at 22 cm spacing to provide overlapping soil coverage. The V-shaped arrangement of the tines is intended to minimise lateral forces during operation. Treffler has also increased the size and repositioned the front support wheels, while the extended frame is designed to improve weight distribution and penetration in difficult soil conditions. Available equipment includes hydraulic overload protection, carbide-tipped shares, levelling tools, a three-row harrow and alternative rear consolidation rollers.
The TGA Plus introduction reflects the growing importance of residue management in shallow tillage systems. As farmers seek to limit soil disturbance while managing crop residues and weeds mechanically, manufacturers face the challenge of maintaining precise cutting performance under increasingly variable field conditions. Treffler’s approach focuses on improving material flow and machine stability rather than fundamentally changing its established cultivation principle. By retaining the existing TGA series and adding a more residue-oriented alternative, the company is broadening its offering for different cropping systems and operating requirements.
Bottom Line: Treffler’s TGA Plus demonstrates how targeted mechanical engineering improvements can increase the versatility of precision shallow cultivation equipment. Greater residue clearance, combined with consistent full-width cutting, addresses a practical challenge for farmers pursuing reduced soil disturbance and more effective mechanical weed management.
