AgroPravda.com carried out a test drive of the Horsch Tiger 4MTF heavy disc harrow and subsoiler combination in the real conditions of Ukraine’s black soil.
The Horsch Tiger 4 MT disc-shank cultivator test drive took place in Zhashkiv district, Cherkasy region, on the “Agro-Wild Ukraine” farm. Working conditions were tough (exactly what the implement is designed for): clay black soil, high moisture, and corn with a large amount of crop residue and tall stubble. Field yield was around 120 c/ha (the farm’s chief engineer explains in more detail in the video).
Watch the test-drive video:
So, the Horsch Tiger MT is a combination of a heavy disc harrow and a subsoiler, replacing both implements. The abbreviation “MT” stands for “maize tine”, but the Horsch Tiger 4MT can also work just as effectively for rapeseed, sunflower, fields with lodged cereals, and tall cover crops. Working depth is up to 35 cm.
The line-up includes six machines with working widths from 3 to 7.5 m. The test featured the folding version of the 4-metre machine, matched with a tractor of 340 hp or more.
The first component of the Horsch Tiger MT is a two-row disc harrow with 68 cm diameter discs, able to work to a depth of up to 20 cm. Disc spacing is 40 cm within a row, 20 cm between the two rows. This lets the implement avoid clogging while working in aggressive conditions.
Behind the disc harrow are two rows of subsoiler tines. Tine spacing is 90 cm within a row, 45 cm between the two rows. The tine can work to a depth of 35 cm and is fitted with a powerful 8 cm wide point, reinforced at the tip and edges. The tine has a wing that deflects soil to the side and reduces the tractor power needed.
The subsoiler ensures intensive mixing of crop residue both by depth and between rows. The tine enters the soil at a 40° angle and works steadily at the set depth, regardless of the implement’s mass.
The design includes a protective hydraulic block that, on hitting an obstacle, lets the tine rise out of the soil without being damaged. The hydraulic system provides pressure of up to 800 kg per tine.
Behind the tines are two more Horsch Tiger elements: levelling discs, which remove ridges, and the combination finishes with a wheel packer spanning the implement’s full width.
The packer’s wheels are about 20 cm wide. The wheels feature deep tread, allowing them to work in difficult conditions and providing self-cleaning.
The between-wheel packer is made of metal and works the soil surface through a hydraulic accumulator.
The Horsch Tiger’s working depth is adjusted using clips on the cylinders, the same way as on other Horsch implements (see “Ukrainian test drive of the Horsch Joker 5 HD disc harrow”). One centimetre of clip equals a depth of 3.5 cm.
This combination lets you effectively replace several agricultural machines: the disc harrow cuts through crop residue, while the tines break up the disc and plough pan. In the process, the soil isn’t cut but rather fractured, which is more effective for aeration.
| Machine type | Tiger 3 MT | Tiger 4 MT non-folding | Tiger 4 MT | Tiger 5 MT | Tiger 6 MT | Tiger 8 MT |
| Working width (m) | 3.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.80 | 6.00 | 7.50 |
| Transport width (m) | 3.00 | 4.05 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Transport height (m) | 2.40 | 2.40 | 2.90 | 3.20 | 3.60 | 4.00 / 4.15 (2-row cut discs) |
| Length (m) | 8.30 | 8.60 | 8.55 | 8.55 | 8.55 | 8.55 |
| Weight, more than (kg) | 4,215 | 5,525 | 6,575 | 7,425 | 8,420 | 10,380 |
| Number of discs in DiscSystem | 14 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 36 |
| Disc spacing (cm) | 38 | 40.5 | 40 | 39 | 42 | 41 |
| Number of working elements | 7 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 17 |
| Spacing between working elements within a row (cm) |
86 | 94 | 94 | 91 | 96 | 90 |
| Spacing between working elements (cm) | 43 | 47 | 47 | 45.5 | 48 | 45 |
| Frame height (mm) | 850 | 850 | 850 | 850 | 850 | 850 |
| Frame profile size (mm) | 120 x 120 | 120 x 120 | 120 x 120 | 120 x 120 | 120 x 120 | 120 x 120 and 140 x 140 |
| Double-acting hydraulic valve sections, two-point drawbar | 2 (+1 with track marker) | 2 (+1 with track marker) | 3 (+1 with track marker) | 3 (+1 with track marker) | 3 (+1 with track marker) | — |
| Double-acting hydraulic valve sections, trailed hitch | — | — | 4 (+1 with track marker) | 4 (+1 with track marker) | 4 (+1 with track marker) | 4 |
| Power required (kW / hp) | 110-190 / 150-250 | 250-270 / 340-360 | 250-270 / 340-360 | 280-310 / 390-420 | 350-390 / 480-530 | 430-460 / 590-620 |
| Mulchmix coulter tip width (mm) | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Packer wheel size / Ø (cm) | 7.50 – 16 AS / 78 | 7.50 – 16 AS / 78 | 7.50 – 16 AS / 78 | 7.50 – 16 AS / 78 | 7.50 – 16 AS / 78 | 7.50 – 16 AS / 78 |
| Disc system adjustment | hydraulic | hydraulic | hydraulic | hydraulic | hydraulic | hydraulic |
| Lighting | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
* Machine weight with a two-point hitch (except Tiger 8 MT), minimum equipment and tyre packer, no braking system
Working with the Horsch Tiger MT requires tractors of 150 hp or more (based on a minimum of 50 hp per 1 m of working width).
The Horsch Tiger MT can be further equipped: it can be fitted with a heavy steel packer, additional wings, etc.
New for this implement is the option to apply fertiliser: Horsch engineers developed a new 2.7 m3 hopper, which, paired with coulters on every tine, lets you apply fertiliser directly into 3 soil layers at once – up, down, and 50/50.
Despite its seemingly complex design, servicing and operating it is trouble-free. What’s more, as AgroPravda.com has previously reported, a dealer representative and a Horsch factory representative are always present when any machine is first started up on a farmer’s field. They oversee the correct assembly of the machine and its start-up in the field.
You can see the results of the Horsch Tiger’s performance in real Ukrainian black-soil conditions, as well as commentary on the work carried out from the chief engineer of “Agro-Wild Ukraine”, in the video and photo gallery.
For all questions, please contact the product manager:
Viacheslav Shyposha
Tel.: 050 358 79 37
Email: v.shyposha@astra-group.com.ua
