Stone buriers
Advanced technology for more productive and sustainable agriculture and landscaping
In modern agriculture, and in professional gardening and landscaping, technological innovation plays a crucial role in improving the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of field operations. Among the machines that have revolutionised these sectors, stone buriers occupy a prominent place, especially for those working in particularly difficult terrain with stones and rocks. These machines not only facilitate the work of the operators, but also help to preserve the quality of the soil, making it more fertile and suitable for cultivation.
In this article, we will explore in detail what stone buriers are, how they work, the advantages they offer, and why they have become an indispensable tool for many farmers and maintenance workers.
What are stone buriers?
Stone buriers are agricultural and landscaping machines designed to remove stones, rocks and other debris from the surface of arable land by burying them at a depth that does not interfere with surface operations. Indeed, stones on the surface could damage equipment, hinder the growth of crops or grass and make harvesting or cutting difficult.
There are different models of stone buriers, each with specific characteristics that make them suitable for various types of terrain and requirements. Some models are more compact and lightweight, ideal for less demanding terrain, while others are designed to cope with extreme conditions, such as tough or stonier terrain.
At Muratori, we offer one of the widest and most comprehensive ranges of stone buriers on the market. Starting with the compact model MWX, designed for use on walking tractors and capable of burying stones up to about 5 cm in diameter, to the larger MZ18X, capable of handling stones of over 15 cm in diameter, depending on the type of soil and the density of stones present.
How does a stone burier work?
The operation of a stone burier is relatively simple, but highly effective. The machine is equipped with a blade-holder rotor that rotates in the opposite direction to the feed. As it passes over the soil, the blades of the roller crush the soil and, together with any stones or grass present, channel it towards the rear of the machine where, through the action of a comb, stones and residues fall and are covered by the tilled soil, eventually resulting in burial at a depth of up to 15 centimetres (depending on the characteristics of the soil and the machine model). This process ensures that stones do not interfere with subsequent surface operations, such as transplanting, sowing, harvesting or grass cutting.
Advantages of stone buriers
The use of a stone burier offers a number of significant advantages, both in terms of productivity and environmental sustainability. Here are the main ones:
Improving soil quality
The removal of stones and weeds or debris from the soil surface makes the soil more homogenous and improves the growth of crops or lawns. In addition, well-prepared soil promotes better water drainage and more efficient distribution of nutrients, contributing to the overall health of plants and grass.
Reduced maintenance costs
Stones on the ground surface can cause significant damage to equipment, such as seeders, transplanters, flail mowers, finishing mowers, etc., increasing maintenance and repair costs. By using a stone burier, operators can reduce these costs and extend the life of their equipment.
Increased productivity
Well-prepared and unobstructed soil on the surface makes for faster and more efficient work during subsequent operations (sowing, transplanting, grass cutting, scarifying, etc.), enabling farmers or maintenance workers to optimise the use of time and resources, with direct benefits on the profitability of their business.
Environmental sustainability
Stone buriers contribute to environmental sustainability in several ways. Firstly, they reduce the need for chemical herbicides. Furthermore, by burying the stones at an appropriate depth, the surface structure of the soil is preserved, promoting the preservation of biodiversity and improving the soil's ability to retain water. This is particularly important at a time when the sustainable management of natural resources has become a global priority.
When and where to use a stone burier?
The use of a stone burier is particularly appropriate in a number of specific situations:
- Stony soils - Obviously. The high presence of stones can hinder agricultural or maintenance operations and compromise soil quality. The stone burier is the ideal tool when it comes to preparing these soils for subsequent seeding operations.
- Newly reclaimed land - When reclaiming uncultivated or abandoned land, the presence of stones is almost always a problem. The stone burier allows these soils to become fertile and productive again.
- Parks, gardens and sports fields - When preparing the ground for new green areas or renovating existing ones (urban or suburban), the stone burier makes it possible to achieve excellent soil levelling and to free the surface from stones and various debris, providing ideal conditions for sowing the turf. By adding a grass seeder (available on request) to the stone burier, in a single pass, in addition to working and levelling the soil, you can also seed the lawn.
- Soil preparation for specific crops - Some crops (e.g. potatoes, onions, to name but a few) require a particularly well-prepared soil free of stones on the surface in advance for effective harvesting. The stone burier lets you obtain an ideal soil for these crops, improving the yield and quality of the harvest.
Choosing the right stone burier
When choosing a stone burier, it is important to consider a number of factors, including:
- Type of terrain - More difficult terrain requires stronger and heavier machinery. It is essential to choose a model that is appropriate for the specific soil conditions on which you intend to work.
- Quantity and size of the stones present - Depending on the quantity and size of the stones present on the ground, it is necessary to opt for a model with adequate weight and working depth to operate effectively under the required conditions.
- Compatibility with the tractor - The stone buriers must be compatible with the power and technical characteristics of the tractor at hand. It is important to check these aspects to ensure optimal and safe operation.
Muratori stone buriers are perfect for a wide variety of applications, ranging from horticulture and landscape maintenance to working on large agricultural areas, providing a technologically advanced and highly efficient solution to soil preparation challenges in a wide variety of conditions. Their ability to remove stones, rocks and debris, burying them so that they do not interfere with surface operations, makes them indispensable tools for many operators, especially in areas with difficult terrain.
By adopting these machines, it is possible to improve soil quality, reduce maintenance costs, increase productivity and contribute to environmental sustainability. In a world where efficiency and sustainable management of resources are increasingly crucial, stone buriers are confirmed as valuable allies for modern and responsible agriculture and landscaping.
Contact us to try the Muratori stone buriers!