The Department of Agriculture specification for machines under TAMS included a controversial decision to have a 700mm clearance requirement for disc cultivators. During the week, the Irish Farmers Journal learned that this figure is incorrect.

The 700mm clearance is required for tined cultivators, the purpose of which is to eliminate the lighter ‘‘S’’ or pigtail-type tined equipment. This is welcome news as the majority of disc harrows would have been ineligible under the requirements set out in the scheme. As of yet, there has not been an official statement from the Department of Agriculture with regard to this anomaly. It also looks like the roller on the rear may now also be a caged type.

Another area of concern is the requirement for steel rings on the Cambridge-type roller, as a lot of manufacturers use cast iron rings.