Environmental Tillage Systems

Name

Environmental Tillage Systems

Legal name

Environmental Tillage Systems, Inc.

Website

https://soilwarrior.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Tillage Equipment

NAICS

Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333111), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112)

SIC

Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Tillage, Seeding & Planting Equipment (IMAHACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crop Protection & Application Equipment (Sprayers/Spreaders) (IMAHACAC), Tillage & Field Preparation Services (Plowing, Cultivating, Bed Prep) (AFACAAAF)

Keywords

• Conservation tillage equipment
• Precision nutrient placement
• Strip-till machinery
• Zone tillage systems
• Agricultural fertilizer application

Headquarters

HQ city

Faribault

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. SoilWarrior Equipment Sales: Sale of complete strip-till systems including SoilWarrior 3100, 4500, and 5060 series machines, as well as individual row units (X, N, Edge), accessories, and component parts. Systems are sold with various fertilizer tank configurations and row spacing options to meet diverse farm needs.
2. Row Units and Accessories: Sale of individual SoilWarrior row units for mounting to existing toolbars, plus accessories like rolling baskets, zone cleaners, and fertilizer systems. Replacement parts and maintenance components are also sold.
3. HoneyWarrior System Sales: Sale of complete HoneyWarrior manure application systems or row units/toolbar configurations for mounting to existing manure tanks (Houle or Nuhn). Partnership with Puck Custom Enterprises for distribution.
4. Service and Training: On-farm setup and training with ETS-certified technician included with each system purchase. Annual service programs and technical support are offered to customers.
5. Financing Services: The company offers financing options and rental/lease programs to help farmers acquire equipment, including assistance with third-party financing applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Environmental Tillage Systems manufactures the SoilWarrior, a complete zone tillage and precision nutrient placement system for row-crop farmers. The equipment combines coulter-based tillage with fertilizer application in a single pass, preparing 8-12 inch wide zones while precisely placing nutrients throughout the soil profile. The product line includes cart-based systems (3100, 4500, 5060), the three-point mounted SoilWarrior Edge, individual row units (X, N, ZoneFreshener), and the HoneyWarrior manure application system.

Product overview

Environmental Tillage Systems (ETS) manufactures the SoilWarrior, a complete Zone Tillage and precision nutrient placement system. The product portfolio centers on three main complete tillage systems (3100, 4500, and 5060) that combine heavy-duty carts with folding toolbars and SoilWarrior row units for strip-till operations. Customers can choose between cart-based systems for integrated fertilizer application or the three-point mounted SoilWarrior Edge for use with existing toolbars. The product line includes three row unit types (X, N, and Edge) offering flexibility for different soil conditions—coulter-only for residue management, shank options for deep tillage and NH3 application, and interchangeable configurations. Supporting accessories include ZoneNinja for dual-purpose zone freshening and side-dressing, ISOBUS control modules for precision variable-rate application, rolling baskets, and zone cleaners. ETS also offers the HoneyWarrior for manure application, and SeedWarrior/RollerWarrior for seedbed preparation. All systems integrate with major precision agriculture platforms (Ag Leader, John Deere, Trimble, Raven) for variable-rate fertilizer control, enabling the 4R nutrient stewardship approach of right source, rate, time, and place.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SoilWarrior 3100 Compact strip-till system with standard cart, folding or rigid toolbar, 4-8 row capacity, 160 bushel fertilizer tank with 5 tons capacity, 1,250-gallon liquid fertilizer tank. Designed for smaller operations with the same technology as larger models.
• SoilWarrior 4500 Most popular and flexible SoilWarrior model with HD cart, 4500 series folding toolbar, 8-24 row capacity (up to 18 rows at 30-inch spacing), dry, liquid, NH3 or combination fertilizer systems available. Up to 10 tons fertilizer capacity.
• SoilWarrior 5060 Largest system configuration with 60-foot toolbar, 24 rows at 30-inch row spacing. XL cart with 10 tons dry fertilizer capacity (two 5-ton tanks), 2,200-gallon liquid fertilizer tank, steerable-ready cart and hitch.
• SoilWarrior Edge Three-point mounted strip-till system combining cart-based durability with fertilizer system flexibility. Buy as complete system or mount Edge row units to existing toolbar. Features double fold toolbar with 6-18 row capacity.
• SoilWarrior X Row Unit Coulter-based row unit that cuts through residue, mixes soil about 6 inches deep, and creates a seedbed. Can run deep (up to 12 inches with large cog) or shallow configuration with wavy coulters. Most common choice for customers.
• SoilWarrior N Row Unit Coulter-based row unit with optional shank and knife attachment for consistent tillage depth, breaking through compaction, and sealing anhydrous ammonia.
• ZoneFreshener Row Unit Row unit for zone freshening to create optimal seedbed for uniform emergence.
• HoneyWarrior Manure application strip-till system combining ETS row units and toolbar with Puck Custom Enterprises (PCE) swing pipe distribution system. Available in 30-50 foot widths, handles flow rates up to 3,500 gpm for liquid manure.
• ZoneNinja Dual-purpose tool that can freshen zones one day and convert to side-dress the next. Features new coulter design for zone tillage operations.
• SoilWarrior ISOBUS Control Module (SWICM) ISOBUS-based control module enabling variable rate application of up to five different products at the right rate and right place. Key component for 4R nutrient stewardship.
• SeedWarrior and RollerWarrior SeedWarrior developed for seedbed preparation and RollerWarrior developed for seedbed finishing.
• Custom Strip-Till Services Custom zone tillage services for growers, providing precision strip-till operations with SoilWarrior equipment delivered through channel partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• World record corn yield of 623.8439 bushels per acre achieved by David Hula using SoilWarrior in 2023, up from previous record of 616.1953 bushels per acre in 2019
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program (IPNI, TFI, CFI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015ETS partnership with the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program, an initiative managed and endorsed by the International Plant Nutrition Institute, The Fertilizer Institute, and The Canadian Fertilizer Institute. The program promotes right fertilizer source, right rate, right time, and right placement. ETS CEO Kevin Born stated that the SoilWarrior product line takes a leadership role in accomplishing the goals of 4R Nutrient Stewardship.
• Central Farm ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Partnership program with Central Farm Services of Owatonna, Minnesota to offer custom zone tillage services with the SoilWarrior. The partnership was introduced in fall 2015 and compliments CFS precision agriculture offerings including variable rate fertility and in-season nitrogen testing.
• South West Ag PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Partnership with Ontario ag retailer South West Ag Partners on the Sustainable Cropping Systems project, which focuses on reducing phosphorus movement off grower fields, soil health, nutrient retention, crop residue management, and crop productivity using the SoilWarrior system.
• RealAgriculture (Peter Johnson)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Partnership with agronomist Peter Johnson and RealAgriculture platform for promoting precise fertilizer placement and strip-till practices. Johnson has devoted his career to helping farmers understand the benefits of banded fertility and zone tillage.
• Puck Custom Enterprises (PCE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Partnership formed in 2009 between ETS and Puck Custom Enterprises for development and manufacturing of the HoneyWarrior manure application system. PCE contributed their patented tractor mounted 4WD swing pipe and distribution system, which combined with ETS row units and toolbar created a highly accurate manure application solution capable of handling flow rates up to 3,500 gallons per minute.
• Ag Leader TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationSoilWarrior is compatible with Ag Leader Integra and Versa displays using the Direct Command Strip-till Module for variable rate fertilizer application control.
• John DeerecoreTechnology or IntegrationSoilWarrior compatible with John Deere 2630 display using Green Star Dry Rate Controller. The privacy policy also mentions JD Link Telematics system for equipment data sharing.
• TrimblecoreTechnology or IntegrationSoilWarrior compatible with Trimble FMX and CFX-750 displays, as well as Case FM-1000. The Delhotals use Trimble's TruTracker active implement guidance system on their strip-till rig.
• Raven IndustriescoreTechnology or IntegrationSoilWarrior compatible with Raven Viper and Envizio series displays for variable rate application control and precision farming integration.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Landoll Corporation: Mid-size manufacturer of tillage and seeding equipment (e.g., 2130 IPlant) that competes with SoilWarrior in the row-crop seedbed-preparation and one-pass tillage category.
• Sunflower (AGCO): AGCO-owned tillage brand offering disc harrows, chisel plows, and track-clearing tools; overlaps with SoilWarrior on conservation-tillage adoption and benefits from AGCO's larger dealer and service footprint.
• McFarlane Manufacturing: Independent manufacturer of tillage and seeding equipment including the ReBuilder and Flex Harrow; competes with ETS in the strip-till and seedbed-preparation category among independent-minded row-crop farmers.
• Great Plains Manufacturing (Lamb/Kubota): Offers the Sub-Soiler and Turbo-Max product lines with integrated fertilizer application capability, competing directly with SoilWarrior in the zone-tillage + nutrient placement use case.
• Orthman Manufacturing (Unverferth): Historically one of the most direct strip-till specialists in North America, offering 1tRIPr and similar zone-building implements with fertilizer placement; competes head-to-head with SoilWarrior for the same corn/soybean strip-till customer.
• Kuhn Krause (Kuhn Group): Manufactures a broad line of tillage implements including Gladiator and strip-till tools, directly contesting ETS in the North American conservation-tillage equipment category with deep dealer relationships.

Regional players

• Horsch (Horsch Maschinen GmbH): German-based tillage and seeding equipment manufacturer with strong European presence in strip-till and mulch-till systems; comparable product architecture though primarily competing outside ETS's North American core market.

Broad incumbents

• John Deere (Deere & Company): Dominant full-line agriculture OEM with tillage, seeding, and application equipment plus the GreenStar/GreenStar Rate Controller that integrates with SoilWarrior's VRT; a broad incumbent that competes indirectly via bundled solutions and financing.
• Case IH (CNH Industrial): Full-line agriculture OEM with True-Tandem and Ecolo-Tiger tillage plus display platforms (AFS Pro) interoperable with SoilWarrior; competes with ETS via dealer scale, financing, and broader product portfolio.

Emerging players

• Yetter Manufacturing: Specialist in row-cleaners, fertilizer coulters, and planter attachments with growing conservation-tillage presence; partial overlap with ETS on residue management and fertilizer placement attachments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/soilwarrior
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4NDLZ7xN8SFqXblpn_l8cQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/EnvironmentalTillageSystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/environmental-tillage-systems-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/soilwarrior

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Environmental Tillage Systems