Straw distribution plays an important role in tillage performance. Disc type, disc configuration and working speed can all influence how crop residues are redistributed during cultivation. To better understand these effects, Väderstad conducted a field study under practical field conditions in Germany.
Straw distribution can have a direct impact on tillage performance. Uneven concentrations of crop residues may affect residue mix-in, soil flow and the consistency of the cultivated layer.
More even straw distribution during cultivation can help create consistent field conditions for subsequent operations.
Different cultivation setups influence straw distribution in different ways. Disc design, the number of disc rows and working speed can all affect how crop residues are redistributed in the driving direction.
To investigate these effects, the study focused on three practical questions:
The study compared TrueCut Disc and CrossCutter Disc Aggressive, evaluated the effect of two-row and three-row disc configurations, and measured how different working speeds influenced straw distribution in the driving direction.
Carrier XL was used as the test platform for the different disc configurations.
Six variants were tested in each block. The complete trial was repeated three times to improve the reliability of the measurements. The study included working speeds of 15 km/h and 20 km/h.
The field study was carried out in Frömmstedt, Thuringia, Germany, on 28 July 2026.
The trial was conducted on fertile loess soil. The field had been dry for several weeks before the trial, with 7 mm of rain one day before testing.
The wheat yield was approximately 6 t/ha. The assumed straw yield was 5 t/ha, with chopped straw between 3 and 10 cm.
Harvest took place five days before the field study. Heavy side winds during harvest had contributed to uneven straw distribution across the field. This created suitable conditions for evaluating straw redistribution during cultivation.
The study measured straw distribution in the driving direction. Two wooden boards, each approximately 2 m wide, were used as reference points.
The wider board marked where most of the straw distribution ended. The smaller board marked the maximum straw distribution distance.
Two people assessed the placement of the boards and recorded the measurements. Drone images were used to document and compare the distribution pattern from above.
The field study showed a clear relationship between disc setup and straw distribution. Straw distribution increased when moving from TrueCut Disc to CrossCutter Disc Aggressive, when adding a third row of discs, and when increasing working speed.
Drone observations also showed improved residue mix-in and crumbling as disc configuration and speed increased.
| Setup number | Disc configuration | Speed | Average straw distribution | Maximum straw distribution |
| 1 | 2 rows TrueCut Disc | 15 km/h | 245 cm | 422 cm |
| 2 | 2 rows TrueCut Disc + 1 row CCDA | 15 km/h | 285 cm | 485 cm |
| 3 | 2 rows TrueCut Disc + 1 row CCDA | 20 km/h | 334 cm | 551 cm |
| 4 | 2 rows CCDA | 15 km/h | 367 cm | 631 cm |
| 5 | 3 rows CCDA | 15 km/h | 418 cm | 692 cm |
| 6 | 3 rows CCDA | 20 km/h | 646 cm | 978 cm |
CrossCutter Disc Aggressive increased straw distribution in the driving direction compared with TrueCut Disc in this field study.
At 15 km/h, the average straw distribution increased from 245 cm with two rows of TrueCut Disc to 367 cm with two rows of CrossCutter Disc Aggressive.
This indicates that disc type had a clear influence on straw redistribution under the tested conditions.
The largest difference was observed when comparing the two-row configurations at the same working speed. The CrossCutter Disc Aggressive setup achieved approximately 50% greater average straw distribution than the two-row TrueCut Disc setup.
While the study measured distribution distance rather than the total volume of straw redistributed, the results clearly show that disc design influenced how crop residues were distributed in the driving direction.
The third row increased straw distribution in the CrossCutter Disc Aggressive setup.
At 15 km/h, two rows of CrossCutter Disc Aggressive reached an average distribution of 367 cm. Three rows of CrossCutter Disc Aggressive reached 418 cm at the same speed.
The third row also supported more intensive mixing of straw and topsoil. This was visible in the drone images, where residue mix-in and crumbling increased across the tested configurations.
Working speed had a strong effect on straw movement in the driving direction.
With TrueCut Disc and a third row of CrossCutter Disc Aggressive, average straw distribution increased from 285 cm at 15 km/h to 334 cm at 20 km/h.
With three rows of CrossCutter Disc Aggressive, average straw distribution increased from 418 cm at 15 km/h to 646 cm at 20 km/h.
The highest measured result in the study was achieved with three rows of CrossCutter Disc Aggressive at 20 km/h. This setup reached an average straw distribution of 646 cm and a maximum distribution of 978 cm.
The findings show that straw redistribution is affected by several factors working together. Disc type, number of disc rows and working speed all influenced the result.
Where straw distribution is uneven, the choice of disc setup can play an important role. CrossCutter Disc Aggressive increased straw distribution compared with TrueCut Disc in this study. A third row of discs increased the effect further, especially when combined with higher working speed.
The study also showed that increased straw distribution was accompanied by improved residue mix-in and crumbling. Under the tested conditions, this contributed to a more even distribution of crop residues within the cultivated layer and more consistent field conditions for subsequent operations.
These findings may help farmers evaluate cultivation strategies for managing crop residues under challenging field conditions. The final setup should always be adapted to local soil type, residue conditions, working depth and cultivation strategy.
CrossCutter Disc provides full cultivation at only 2-3cm working depth. It’s unique cutting intensity crushes, chops and mulches in one single pass. CrossCutter Disc performs outstanding in oilseed rape stubble and in cover crops, while also enabling great advantages in grain stubble and on ploughed land.
The new third disc axle front tool adds 50% more tools to the ground, delivering higher intensity, more mixing, and stronger emergence of weeds and leftover seeds. All while preserving soil moisture and structure. The third disc axle is available for Carrier XL 425-725, Carrier XT 425-625 and Carrier 925.
