A multi-tasking diesel tiller is set to be a game-changer for small-scale and light agriculture farmers, offering a versatile and cost-effective solution for a range of tasks.

The TF 545DE diesel tiller from Husqvarna features a power take-off device that transfers the engine’s mechanical power to another machine and transforms the tiller into different types of tools, eliminating the need for multiple pieces of equipment.

“Efficient and versatile, the TF 545DE tiller is the equivalent of a Swiss Army knife for subsistence farmers,” says Husqvarna South Africa product and pricing specialist Wynand Lombaard. “With a range of robust attachments, this powerful workhorse adapts to the various needs of small farms serving as a water pump, plough, sprayer and even a ditcher. It’s not just a tiller, it’s a cost-effective game-changer.”

The tiller’s attachments includes a motorised tiller, for preparing a field for sowing. Designed for breaking up hard ground, Husqvarna tillers are designed for durability and strength, suited to South Africa’s densely packed earth and grasslands. Tilling ensures that the soil is aerated, and improves drainage and soil quality, allowing for efficient planting.

The unit has a separate, specially designed water pump, which is particularly useful for irrigation straight after tilling or planting.

The sprayer attachment can be used for spraying pesticides and fertilisers, which helps to promote healthier crops and enhances efficiency.

With the addition of a plough kit, featuring rubber wheels and weights, the tiller can also be used for cutting, lifting and turning of even hardpan or compacted soil. The attachment ensures that the soil is worked at a deeper level, allowing farmers to invert the soil layers and bury organic matter. The machine's robust design ensures effective soil preparation for planting, contributing to higher yields.

The ditcher attachment that can be used for a variety of agricultural applications such as excavating trenches to install irrigation or drainage systems and to contour land to optimise water flow.

By consolidating various essential functions into one piece of equipment, Lombaard says that the multi-functional TF 545DE diesel tiller has practical, tangible benefits for small-scale farmers. Not only does it reduce the amount of equipment needed, but it saves on long-term maintenance costs and storage space.