Horsch has developed new 18-metre versions of its Joker and Serto machines, extending both tillage ranges to a working width that until recently belonged almost exclusively to sprayers and drills.

Farmers Guardian first reported the development. The German manufacturer, based in Schwandorf, Bavaria, has not yet published full specifications, pricing or a launch date for either machine.

What are the Joker and Serto ranges?

The Joker line covers Horsch's shallow, high-speed tillage machines, used for stubble cultivation, mixing crop residues and creating stale seedbeds. The Serto range sits alongside it in the company's cultivation portfolio. Both families have previously topped out well below the 18-metre mark, so the new machines represent a substantial step up in width.

Why does an 18-metre cultivator matter?

Width on this scale changes the economics of stubble work. A single pass at 18 metres covers far more hectares per hour than current Joker and Serto models, cutting labour and fuel costs per hectare on large arable units.

It also raises practical questions farmers will want answered before ordering:

• Transport width and whether the machines fold to road-legal dimensions
• Required tractor horsepower to pull an 18-metre cultivator at working speed
• tyre or track options to control compaction at the higher gross weights
• list price and first delivery dates

Who is the target customer?

Machines of this width aim at large-scale arable farms and contracting operations in Germany, Eastern Europe, the UK and other markets where Horsch already sells its biggest drills. For smaller units, the existing narrower Joker and Serto models remain the practical choice.

What should farmers watch next?

Horsch typically unveils new machinery at trade shows and on its own demonstration days. Full specifications, power requirements and UK availability details should emerge through those channels in the coming months, and buyers planning high-capacity stubble cultivation for next season will want to compare the new machines against competing wide cultivators before committing.