Faribault, Minn. — Environmental Tillage Systems (ETS) recently announced the launch of a combination liquid and dry fertilizer system for the SoilWarrior 4500, giving farmers unprecedented flexibility to place nutrients with greater precision, efficiency and control.
This system was developed in response to farmers who saw clear agronomic and operational benefits of both liquid and dry fertilizer applicators on the SoilWarrior — and wanted the efficiency of running them together.
“Our customers were already piecing together the advantages of each system,” said Sean Arthur, regional sales manager, ETS. “The new combination applicator brings them together in one machine to give farmers the flexibility to choose the best products, the precision to place them exactly where they need to be and the efficiency to get more work done in the tightest of field windows.”
Already recognized for its proven performance in strip‑till systems, the SoilWarrior 4500 now becomes the first machine in the industry to offer a fully engineered dual‑product application system at commercial scale.
Unmatched Flexibility in Fertilizer Sourcing and Application
The new system allows farmers to apply both dry and liquid fertilizer in a single pass, giving them the freedom to source products from any retailer or supplier. With market volatility and yearly pricing swings, this provides growers the ability to choose the nutrient form that is the best fit — or the most economical — for their farm each season.
The dry system features a 6‑ton capacity, enabling operators to cover 40-60 acres per fill at typical rates, improving efficiency in tight spring windows. Meanwhile, the liquid tank has a capacity of 1,250 gallons, and it supports liquid nitrogen (N) and other key nutrients favored for early-season application.
“Both systems operate with independent, prescription-based variable-rate control, allowing simultaneous, highly precise nutrient placement for earlier utilization in the crop cycle and better utilization throughout the growing season,” Arthur said.
Agronomic Advantages of Dual‑System Strip‑Till Application
Spring nitrogen management is a major driver of yield potential. Liquid UAN is widely used because of its high nutrient concentration, ease of handling and consistent performance. This is especially true compared to dry urea, which is prone to absorbing moisture and resulting in uneven spreading during damp conditions. The SoilWarrior 4500 combination applicator allows liquid N to be placed and buried directly in the strip, reducing volatilization losses and improving crop availability.
Dry nutrients remain essential, as well. Potash is applied on most United States row-crop acres and performs best in dry form, as liquid potash blends can become unstable, requiring constant dilution and agitation. The combination system allows farmers to apply phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), reliably in dry form while feeding the crop with liquid N and micronutrients.
“Strip‑till is all about efficiency and precision,” Arthur said. “Placing nutrients directly in the zone at the right time and rate improves early-season uptake and strengthens the crop throughout its entire growth cycle. Now farmers can optimize both nutrient forms in one machine.”
The SoilWarrior 4500 with the new combination liquid/dry fertilizer system is available now in sizes from 8- to 24-rows through Environmental Tillage Systems and its dealer network. For more information, visit www.soilwarrior.com.
About Environmental Tillage Systems
Environmental Tillage Systems builds equipment designed to enhance soil health, improve nutrient efficiency and help farmers maximize yield potential through proven strip‑tillage solutions. Based in Faribault, Minn., ETS is the manufacturer of the SoilWarrior, the premier strip‑till and nutrient placement system used by progressive growers across North America. For more information, visit www.soilwarrior.com.
