Maschio Gaspardo Introduces a New Mounted Plough Model

Maschio Gaspardo has expanded its UNICO range of mounted reversible ploughs with the new six-furrow UNICO M6 NE. The implement is designed for tractors rated from 180 to 220 hp and occupies an intermediate position between the conventional three- and four-furrow mounted ploughs in the UNICO M series and heavier models intended for higher-horsepower tractors.

The new version features a reinforced central beam measuring 120 × 120 × 10 mm, a 95 cm point-to-point interbody clearance and a standard underbeam clearance of 80 cm. For farms working in fields with large quantities of crop residues, a configuration with an increased clearance of up to 87 cm is available. The working width can be adjusted mechanically using the Passo system or continuously through the hydraulic Vario system.

Six Furrows in a Mounted Configuration

The main distinguishing feature of the UNICO M6 NE is the combination of six plough bodies with a fully mounted design. This configuration allows farmers to increase working width and ploughing capacity without switching to a semi-mounted plough equipped with a separate transport frame and support wheel assembly.

In the Passo version, the working width of each body can be set at 35, 40, 45, 50 or 55 cm. The resulting total working width of the six-furrow plough ranges from 2.10 to 3.30 m.

The Vario version provides stepless hydraulic adjustment of the individual body width from 30 to 55 cm. Depending on the setting, the overall working width varies from approximately 1.80 to 3.30 m. This allows the operator to adapt the plough to soil density, field topography, working depth, available tractor power and actual draft resistance without stopping the machine to reposition mechanical fasteners.

According to the manufacturer’s current technical specifications, the UNICO M6 NE weighs approximately 1,753 kg in the Passo configuration and 2,077 kg in the Vario version. The plough is equipped with a Category III three-point linkage and a turnover head with a 120 mm shaft diameter.

Smooth Set Parallelogram Adjustment System

Like other mounted ploughs in the UNICO series, the new model is equipped with the Smooth Set adjustment system. It is based on a parallelogram linkage that coordinates the position of the first body, the working width and the plough’s line of draft.

When the working width is changed, the position of the first furrow and the alignment of the plough relative to the tractor must remain properly coordinated. Otherwise, the implement may pull sideways, increase the load on the linkage or create an uneven furrow. The Smooth Set parallelogram system is intended to simplify these adjustments and reduce undesirable loads on the frame and turnover head.

In the mechanical Passo version, body width is changed by moving a bolted connection between fixed positions. The Vario system uses a hydraulic cylinder to adjust the working width of all bodies simultaneously.

Some UNICO ploughs are also available with an automatic frame-centering system activated before turnover. It moves the plough’s mass closer to the rotational axis, reducing peak loads on the tractor’s rear linkage.

Residue Clearance in High-Biomass Conditions

The point-to-point interbody distance of the UNICO M6 NE is 95 cm. Combined with an underbeam clearance of 80 or 87 cm, this should improve the passage of stubble, chopped stalks and organic material between the working bodies.

The additional space between the frame and the field surface is particularly important when ploughing after maize, sunflower and other crops that leave large quantities of coarse residue. However, stable performance depends not only on the plough’s geometry but also on the quality of residue chopping and distribution by the combine harvester, soil moisture, working depth and correct skimmer adjustment.

The standard specification of the UNICO M includes MP4WN mouldboards, replaceable points bolted to the shares, and either a disc coulter or a vertical knife on the rear body, depending on the configuration offered in a particular market.

In the standard version, the bodies are protected by shear bolts. The UNICO M range also includes NSH versions equipped with a hydraulic Non Stop protection system. However, the six-furrow M6 NE is listed in the manufacturer’s current specifications among the standard UNICO M configurations.

Polyethylene Mouldboards for Sticky Soils

Alongside the introduction of the six-furrow plough, Maschio Gaspardo has expanded the range of working components available for the UNICO series. Polyethylene mouldboards, skimmers and enlarged deflectors can now be specified for selected models.

Compared with a conventional steel mouldboard, the polymer surface is less prone to the adhesion of wet soil. This equipment is primarily intended for wet, heavy and loamy soils, as well as soils with a high organic-matter content.

Reduced soil adhesion helps preserve the shape of the furrow slice, improves inversion consistency and limits the gradual increase in draft requirement caused by soil accumulating on the plough bodies.

According to the specialist publication Réussir Machinisme, the polyethylene mouldboards are intended for working depths of 15 to 35 cm and individual body widths of 30 to 55 cm. They are available for most UNICO ploughs, with the exception of the smallest UNICO XS model.

However, polyethylene working surfaces are not recommended for fields containing large quantities of stones or flint. Contact with sharp, hard objects may cause intensive material damage. The choice between steel and polymer mouldboards should therefore take account not only of soil moisture and texture, but also of stone content.

Comparison of Maschio Gaspardo UNICO Mounted Ploughs

The current range of mounted reversible ploughs extends from the compact UNICO XS to the heavy-duty UNICO XL. The table below summarises the configurations presented in Maschio Gaspardo’s current technical materials.

The table is based on the manufacturer’s current technical configurations. On individual product pages, Maschio Gaspardo also states higher maximum power ratings: up to 120 hp for the UNICO S, up to 310 hp for the UNICO L and up to 400 hp for the UNICO XL Heavy Duty.

However, these maximum marketing figures do not always correspond directly with the power ranges given for specific configurations in the technical tables. The UNICO M product-page heading still refers to a maximum of 200 hp, although the new M6 NE configuration is officially intended for tractors rated from 180 to 220 hp.

Position of the UNICO M6 NE Within the Range

The UNICO M6 NE effectively extends the medium-duty series towards higher output. Previously, the mounted UNICO M was primarily offered as a three- or four-furrow plough for medium-power tractors. The new version allows six bodies to be used with tractors of up to 220 hp without moving to the heavier UNICO L or UNICO XL frame.

The number of bodies, however, is not the only selection criterion. For a six-furrow mounted plough, the lifting capacity of the rear linkage, permissible rear-axle load, front ballast weight and tractor stability during road transport are all critical considerations. This is especially relevant to the hydraulic Vario version, which weighs more than two tonnes.

On heavy soils, a 180 hp tractor may not necessarily maintain stable performance at the maximum working width of 3.3 m. The adjustable body width therefore has considerable practical value: the operator can reduce the width while maintaining the required ploughing depth and an acceptable level of wheel slip. On lighter soils, the working width can be increased to improve field capacity.

Spare Parts for Tillage Equipment from Bas-Agro

Ploughs operate in constant contact with an abrasive environment. As a result, shares, points, landsides, mouldboard breasts, skimmers, fasteners and other working components are subject to gradual wear. The rate of wear depends on soil texture, moisture, working depth, operating speed and the presence of stones.

Spare parts for tillage equipment from various manufacturers can be purchased through the website of Bas-Agro Group LLC. The catalogue includes components for ploughs, cultivators, disc harrows, subsoilers and other soil-cultivation machinery. Parts can be selected by machine model, catalogue number, technical drawing or a sample of the worn component.

The introduction of the UNICO M6 NE demonstrates Maschio Gaspardo’s intention to increase the output of mounted ploughs without moving to a semi-mounted design. Six bodies, a working width of up to 3.3 m, the Smooth Set system and a choice between mechanical Passo adjustment and hydraulic Vario control make the model suitable for farms operating tractors with approximately 200 hp.

At the same time, the effectiveness of such an implement will depend on correctly matching the plough to the tractor’s weight, hydraulic system and draft capability. Optional polyethylene mouldboards may provide advantages in sticky and waterlogged soils, but they should not be regarded as a universal replacement for steel working surfaces, particularly in stony field conditions.