Smaller Cambridge Roll Rings = More Pressure?

HarryB97 · Jan 17, 2019

Pricing up a new 6/8 metre set of rolls with paddles and breaker rings. Larger rings weigh more but smaller rings have a smaller contact patch so apply more pressure or doesn't it really matter? I no smaller rings can stall a bit on soft ground but we're on heavy ground

snipe · Jan 17, 2019

I think the extra weight will be more beneficial. The difference in contact area will be very small.. what size is the big and small rings in question, what make are you looking at?

warksfarmer · Jan 17, 2019

HarryB97 said:
Pricing up a new 6/8 metre set of rolls with paddles and breaker rings. Larger rings weigh more but smaller rings have a smaller contact patch so apply more pressure or doesn't it really matter? I no smaller rings can stall a bit on soft ground but we're on heavy ground

Our 20 inch rollers are rubbish compared to our 24 inch set. There’s no comparison in job they do. The larger set consolidate so much better.

HarryB97 · Jan 17, 2019

snipe said:
I think the extra weight will be more beneficial. The difference in contact area will be very small.. what size is the big and small rings in question, what make are you looking at?

Cousins & NRH with 20 or 24 inch rings, like to suppport british firms

Hesstondriver · Jan 17, 2019

You won’t go wrong with cousins stufff

Finn farmer · Jan 17, 2019

HarryB97 said:
Cousins & NRH with 20 or 24 inch rings, like to suppport british firms

Do you have stones in your fields? I'd go for biggest possible rings (and did) if the answer is yes. The smaller ones will have more difficulties in pressing the stones under the surface and is more likely to catch a stone and drag it (and stop rolling partially). Since the axle is lower to the ground on smaller ones, it will take the possible stone hits more directly and be more likely to bend the axle.

And with us there's also the problem of getting stuck, since the smaller rings are harder to pull they're more likely to stop spinning on possible wet spots. But if you don't have wet spots then you're probably good with the smaller ones.

quavers · Jan 17, 2019

if you have a stone problem or go contracting with them get a set with ductile steel rings , ive yet to see a broken ring on a set .

Matt77 · Jan 17, 2019

I got talked into a set with 20 inch rings, looks ok as a rolled field but there’s just something about the finish that I feel our old 24s did better, can’t put my finger on it and I don’t drive them but I think if I went again I’d go for 24s, more expensive obviously.

Flat 10 · Jan 17, 2019

Bigger diameter pull easier. Get the big ones for many reasons out lined here.

Farma Parma · Jan 18, 2019

Not being an anti roller convert here but bigger is heavier & yes in alot of cases heaver could be better.
Do you need to firm the ground that much tho?
iam considering going to 8.2m rollers myself
but current Vaddy ones are 6.2m & weigh 2.5t & still make a very good job
So good id buy nowt else. soz UK lads i have my reasons.
Had good chat with cousins folks at Lamma.
Now same ring sized but stronger framed current version at 8.2m is 4100kg
Jump up 4" in ring size it adds 1900kg to the setup.
& this is all without any leveling boards which are another 500kg.

Now i'll let the rest of you figure out if more than doubling the total weight of what your dragging about the land is ultimately
right or wrong, but atm id just stick with same size ring as i have. just go wider, saving time & wheelings was the main gain for me.which through time might justify the ouytlay, i might be just into pocket by the time ive retired tho

Tin Hat on

Foxcover · Jan 18, 2019

HarryB97 said:
Pricing up a new 6/8 metre set of rolls with paddles and breaker rings. Larger rings weigh more but smaller rings have a smaller contact patch so apply more pressure or doesn't it really matter? I no smaller rings can stall a bit on soft ground but we're on heavy ground

24 inch. As soon as you use your paddle boards you’ll take weight off the rings so you’ll need all the weight you can get on heavy land.

Simon Chiles · Jan 18, 2019

HarryB97 said:
Pricing up a new 6/8 metre set of rolls with paddles and breaker rings. Larger rings weigh more but smaller rings have a smaller contact patch so apply more pressure or doesn't it really matter? I no smaller rings can stall a bit on soft ground but we're on heavy ground

Watson. 24inch ductile rings ( option) and paddle board. Weigh 5.5 tonnes for a 6 m and have brakes, you’ll need them.

Brisel · Jan 18, 2019

As above really. Smaller rings will have more rolling resistance in soft conditions. No pun intended. Yes, the contact patch will be shorter so ground pressure will be the same but I prefer bigger heavier ones. If stones are an issue then certainly go bigger.

I went from a set of worn HeVa 22" rings to a Cousins 24" set with breaker rings. 15hp/metre on my steep banks (190hp on 12.3m Contour with a Biodrill on the back doing slug pellets or seed too). Very stony soils, steep down land and a strip till drill, so lots of flints pulled to the surface by the drill tines yet not enough loose soil to push them back down.

IMO for heavy ground breaker rings are a good investment. They help shatter clods and keep the gangs clean if you're out when it's a bit tacky. I think 24" is the biggest size you can go with. Cousins go up to 30" in plain rings.

David. · Jan 18, 2019

Brisel said:
As above really. Smaller rings will have more rolling resistance in soft conditions. No pun intended. Yes, the contact patch will be shorter so ground pressure will be the same but I prefer bigger heavier ones. If stones are an issue then certainly go bigger.

I went from a set of worn HeVa 22" rings to a Cousins 24" set with breaker rings. 15hp/metre on my steep banks (190hp on 12.3m Contour with a Biodrill on the back doing slug pellets or seed too). Very stony soils, steep down land and a strip till drill, so lots of flints pulled to the surface by the drill tines yet not enough loose soil to push them back down.

IMO for heavy ground breaker rings are a good investment. They help shatter clods and keep the gangs clean if you're out when it's a bit tacky. I think 24" is the biggest size you can go with. Cousins go up to 30" in plain rings.

Do you think so, I still can't decide if I made right choice having breakers or not, regards soil picking up. Certainly could not use paddles and disturb the dry crust on our sticky red soil, without it coating the rolls in seconds.

Brisel · Jan 18, 2019

I can't find a video of the breaker rings moving around independently from the main rings to illustrate it & it will be a while before I'm rolling anything to get a clip. There's not much you can do about soil sticking to the individual rings but the movement of the breakers stops the single wide mud sausage forming across the gang unless it's really wet. The trouble with paddles is that unless it's bone dry to a reasonable depth, you're tickling up moist soil.

@Badshot has lots of videos of his rolls & paddles working.

Farma Parma · Jan 18, 2019

Brisel said:
I can't find a video of the breaker rings moving around independently from the main rings to illustrate it & it will be a while before I'm rolling anything to get a clip. There's not much you can do about soil sticking to the individual rings but the movement of the breakers stops the single wide mud sausage forming across the gang unless it's really wet. The trouble with paddles is that unless it's bone dry to a reasonable depth, you're tickling up moist soil.

@Badshot has lots of videos of his rolls & paddles working.

Ran Vaddy Cambridge & Breaker Ringed rollers here for 23yrs & wouldn't have any other type of rollers
regardless of there make any other way.
We tried Flexicoil similar rollers at the time & all the rings did was flick clods up behind them
tried Vaddy rollers next day in same field & finish vs no clod flicking was incredible to see the difference

quattro · Jan 18, 2019

Farma Parma said:
Ran Vaddy Cambridge & Breaker Ringed rollers here for 23yrs & wouldn't have any other type of rollers
regardless of there make any other way.
We tried Flexicoil similar rollers at the time & all the rings did was flick clods up behind them
tried Vaddy rollers next day in same field & finish vs no clod flicking was incredible to see the difference

To be fair 3-4 hours can make a lot of difference between soil sticking to rings also whether one is a new set and one a used set

Brisel · Jan 18, 2019

I've not seen Vaderstad rollers working for a few years. Used plenty in the past and they did a great job except when dragging big stones. New ones take a bit of polishing up.

Farma Parma · Jan 18, 2019

Brisel said:
I've not seen Vaderstad rollers working for a few years. Used plenty in the past and they did a great job except when dragging big stones. New ones take a bit of polishing up.

Still the best Rollers but thats my views.
The only ones on the market with builtin unique rubber mounting structure around the bearing assembly so help the shock loads.
Mine has never had a bearing or a single cambridge or breaker ring replaced neither

Farma Parma · Jan 18, 2019

quattro said:
To be fair 3-4 hours can make a lot of difference between soil sticking to rings also whether one is a new set and one a used set

Both new from diff dealers.
The vaddy ones back in 1995 were £1,000 more than the flexicoil also, they never left the farm !

Smaller Cambridge Roll Rings = More Pressure?

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