I have 400hp on a 26’ Lemken Rubin9 it’s barely enough. Sometimes it’s not.

I don’t think the Joker is quite as aggressive, less power would be needed, but don’t think 300 would do a good job with 26’. Is there anyway to demo the unit before plunking down the cash? Knowing for sure it will work with your conditions is always best.

 

We pulled the joker 26 with our versatile 875. 280 hp or so. Not 10mph but 8.5 worked. This was in the spring as well. I think 6m would be too small. Lemken Rubin is a very different machine.

 

Thanks. A neighbour has a 6m (20 ft) on a jd8235 chipped to 290 hp and it does it reasonable comfortble at 11 kph but grumbles a bit when going deep enough to ensure everything is pulled out.
What do you think the difference is between it amd the lemken rubin?
Thanks again

 

Like Hillbilly said, it would be best to try it out in your area. Our area may be different.
The Lemken Rubin is made to go deep. The Heliodor is closer to the Joker.

 

The Rubin9 is very aggressive, more of a primary tillage tool than a true VT machine. The Heliodor would most likely be more akin to a Joker, I’ve never looked very closely at either the Joker or Heliodor so I can’t be too specific, sorry. With these tools speed is everything, and they are expensive, buy once cry once. Maybe ask your neighbor if you can hook onto his and try it for a few acres and base your decision on the results.

I bought the Rubin without ever talking to anyone or seeing one run, except on YouTube. I was originally looking for a Protill because there are several in my area but last spring I couldn’t find one. I was exceptionally lucky, the Rubin9 is actually better suited to what I needed it to do than the Degelman.

 

Thanks everyone. Some other feedback mentioned it will do the 8 meter. However the tractor will be working hard and won't get up much speed so perhaps going a bit faster with the 6 might be the best bet.
Cheers

 

Why do these machines need speed?

 

The way they are designed they need to roll mix and spread material. If you go slow it doesn't throw the material far enough and only rolls and leaves a rough surface which is very difficult to remedy being that the straw id too long to pull a shank machine through .

 

We have found that 300HP isn't enough in our area on a Degelman 26ft ProTill. That is a very heavy and very aggressive implement though. Haven't seen a Lemkin or a Joker run here. We have a little of everything as far as soil from sand to gumbo clay. Seems to work in all soils very well but it takes HP to pull. Might consider a power chip for your tractor if you go with the 26ft.

 

Speed is the key so sometimes the smaller outfit actually works better. We pull a 36' protill with our 500+ quadtracs, but the 40' requires the 600 or bigger. We used to pull a 40' joker also, HP requirement is less on the horsch but it's not as heavy, used a 9270 with triples on it one year. I like the look of the lemken but haven't run one.

 

We have a 37 ft Joker and have run it with both a 425 hp and 460 hp tractors. Both pulled it at speeds up to 10-12 mph with it in the ground 3".
We also ran it with our 240 hp tractor but had to only go 8 mph and about 2000 rpm at those same depths.
If you have heavy soil and want to work deeper than 3" you will be limited with the 8m I would think, however if you have sandy or lighter soil conditions and don't want to deeper than 3" I would think you would be ok with the 8m. Been very happy with our Joker, lots of acres done and haven't changed 1 bearing or the discs yet. Have had to change a few plastic bushings and spring packers (figured out most broke when in mud and we backed up, if you put the back tires down before you back up you will save this from happening). Good luck
The faster you can go the better job of mixing and field finish you will have, as also mentioned above.

As mentioned, demoing one would be your best bet.

 

Joker / Compact disc power requirements

In our heavy soils with slopes, I find 45-50 HP/ meter is minimum to achieve the best working speed with a compact disc.
We are on much smaller scales with small fields, so our machine is a 4 meter 3pth Speed tiller (6400#) on a JD 7820 (about 180HP). 8-10 mph usually but sometimes a struggle. On the flip side the working speed and finishing qualities means you actually cover more ground with a smaller machine using a compact disc than is typical with more conventional tillage tools. Figure acres per hour not just implement size.