Treffler TFG Cultivator: A Patented Tine for Accurate Shallow Cutting

The German manufacturer Treffler is expanding its lineup for shallow tillage with the TFG tine cultivator (scalper). The key upgrade is a patented tine design engineered to work stable and level, delivering full-width undercutting at very shallow to medium working depths - without unwanted “waves” in the soil profile or the sweep “diving” under load.

For Ukrainian farms, where field windows are short and soil conditions can change within the same field, this kind of engineering matters in practice: post-harvest stubble work, shallow weed control, seedbed preparation, and residue management become more predictable in terms of final result.

What’s New: The Logic of “Flat” Undercutting

With the new TFG, Treffler focuses not only on frame layout, but also on tine geometry and kinematics. Two points are highlighted in the product concept:

High lateral stability of the tine
The tine profile is designed to reduce sideways drift. In real field conditions, that translates into more even work across the full working width, especially on variable ground (compacted zones, tramlines, transitions from lighter to heavier soils).

High pivot point - so the sweep does not “change its angle” under load
When a tine hits resistance and deflects backward, many cultivators change the sweep’s working position, which can make undercutting uneven. The TFG approach is different: due to the high pivot point, the sweep position changes only minimally, so it continues to cut the soil more “flat” even under load. As a result, the tool is positioned for harder soils as well, where typical designs may lose stability more easily.

Key Specs and TFG Frame Layout

In materials about the new model and in the manufacturer’s positioning, the TFG is presented as a versatile platform - from ultra-shallow undercutting to more active mixing at medium depth.

Key parameters and design features commonly emphasized:

• Working depth: approximately 2 - 15 cm (from ultra-shallow cutting to medium cultivation).
• Tine spacing / working element pitch: 15 cm (to support dense, full-width cutting).
• Frame clearance: around 70 cm - important for handling heavy residue and cover crops.
• Frame configuration: a 6-bar layout (supporting better residue flow).
• Distance between bars: roughly 50 - 52 cm (to increase “flow-through” capacity).
• Working widths: initially referenced in 3 m and 6 m, with wider versions mentioned as part of ongoing development.
• Overload protection: a spring-based protection concept (compression springs as a typical solution).
• Working tools: sweeps with overlap for full undercutting, plus chisel-type points (Kulti-style); versions are available with carbide reinforcement or without.

Options That Adapt the Tool to Your Farming System

The TFG is designed as a configurable platform that can be equipped for different agronomic objectives. Options often associated with this model include:

• Rear depth control (gauge) wheels - for more stable depth control at speed and on uneven ground.
• Tine harrow - for leveling and “combing” residues, preparing the surface for the next operation.
• Leveling bar combined with one of the available rollers - for better moisture sealing and a smoother finish.

In simple terms: the base TFG focuses on shallow full-width cutting, while optional equipment can make it more universal for seedbed preparation or more intensive stubble cultivation.

Why Ultra-Shallow Tillage From 2 cm Is a Hot Topic

Shallow cultivation has gained momentum across Europe and in Ukraine due to economics, climate pressure, and soil-conservation requirements. When done correctly, a very shallow pass can deliver several practical benefits:

• breaks capillaries and reduces moisture loss (especially critical during dry periods);
• stimulates synchronized flushes of volunteers and weeds for later control;
• undercuts root systems of cover crops or unwanted vegetation without unnecessary inversion;
• saves fuel, because every extra centimeter of depth increases draft and operating costs.

That is why tine engineering that helps maintain a consistent “cutting plane” is not just marketing - it can be a real advantage in the field.

Where to Buy Parts for Tillage Equipment in Ukraine

When a farm runs multiple tillage machines for different tasks, parts and wear components become a constant operational topic - from sweeps and fasteners to assemblies that must be replaced quickly during the season.

Parts for tillage equipment can be purchased from Bas-Agro LLC (Cherkasy) via the dedicated catalog section:
https://bas.ua/shop/spare-parts-for-tillage-equipment-000000029-1

This is especially helpful when you need to quickly cover wear-part demand or select components for a specific tillage strategy without losing valuable field days.

Treffler TFG shows how a seemingly simple tool - a tine cultivator - can be significantly improved through details that shape real-world results: tine stability, a high pivot point, sweep geometry, residue flow capacity, and modular configuration. For farms focused on ultra-shallow cultivation and looking for a more consistent, level cut at small working depths, the TFG stands out as a notable new-season development.