Buy new and used Lemken ploughs, cultivators, compact disc harrows and rotary harrows – a wide selection direct from specialist dealers. Under the Lemken brand, you’ll find arable farming machinery from Alpen in the Lower Rhine region: ploughs such as the Juwel, EurOpal and Diamant; soil cultivation equipment such as the Karat, Rubin, Heliodor and Zirkon; and seed drills from the Saphir and Solitair ranges – each listing includes the year of manufacture, working width or number of coulters, and specifications. The equipment is offered by Mecklenburger Landtechnik in Gülzow-Prüzen; the stock changes regularly. To clarify: ‘Saphir’ refers to a Lemken seed drill – the brand of the same name, Saphir, is a different manufacturer.
Lemken at a glance
Lemken was founded in 1780 by Wilhelmus Lemken as a smithy in Alpen on the Lower Rhine, around 50 km north of Düsseldorf, and remains family-owned to this day – now in its seventh generation, with Nicola Lemken as the owner. In the 1930s, the company began producing lightweight, welded mounted ploughs, followed later by reversible ploughs; the Opal was introduced in 1977, and the Kompaktor in 1993. In the mid-1990s, Lemken took over the sowing technology division of Tröster (Hassia) and used it to establish Lemken Hassia Drilltechnik; in 2005, the field sprayer manufacturer RTS from Meppen and the pump manufacturer Jacoby were added to the portfolio. Lemken ceased production of conventional field sprayers at the end of 2020; the factory in Haren (Ems) has been manufacturing sowing technology ever since. In 2018, Lemken acquired the Dutch hoeing and harrowing specialist Steketee, and in 2023 the South African seed drill manufacturer Equalizer.
In 2024, Lemken achieved a turnover of around 420 million euros (record in 2022: 560 million euros) and employs around 2,000 staff worldwide, of whom around 1,200 are based in Alpen; exports account for around 80 per cent of sales. In addition to Alpen and Haren, there are production facilities in Nagpur, India, and in China. For decades, the product names have been inspired by gemstones – Juwel, Diamant, Rubin, Karat, Zirkon, Saphir, Azurit.
The Lemken portfolio – new and used
The overview shows all product ranges with the current model series and the models most frequently traded second-hand. You can see which machines are currently on offer in the listings on this page.
| Product range | Current model ranges (new) | Frequently traded second-hand | Here at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mounted reversible ploughs | Juwel 6, 7, 8 and 10 (3–7 shares) | Juwel 8 (M, M V, M V U), Juwel 7, older EurOpal 7/8 and VariOpal | Ploughs |
| Mounted reversible ploughs | Diamant 16 and 18, Titan 18 (5–13 shares), also OnLand | Diamant 11 and 16, VariDiamant | Ploughs |
| Short-disc harrows | Heliodor 9 (2–16 m), Rubin 10 and 12 | Rubin 9 and 10, Heliodor | Soil cultivation equipment |
| Cultivators and subsoilers | Koralin 9, Kristall 9, Karat 10 and 12, Onyx, Gigant 10 system carrier | Karat 9 and 10, Kristall 9 | Soil cultivation implements |
| Rotary harrows and seedbed preparation combinations | Zirkon 8 and 12, Korund, System-Kompaktor | Zirkon 10 and 12, Compactor, VarioPack rear consolidation | Soil cultivation implements |
| Drill machines | Saphir 9, 10 and XMR (mechanical), Solitair 9, MR, XMF, PT and DT (pneumatic) | Saphir 7 and 8, Solitair 9 and 12, rotary harrow-seed drill combinations with Zirkon | Seed drills |
| Precision seed drills | Azurit 10 (DeltaRow), Faya MF | Azurit 9 | Seed drills |
| Hoes and harrows | EC-Weeder, IC-Weeder (camera), IC-Weeder AI, Thulit harrow | Steketee hoeing equipment | Soil cultivation equipment |
| Field sprayers (up to 2020) | No new equipment available | Sirius, Albatros | Plant protection equipment |
What the Lemken model designation reveals
Lemken structures its model names in three parts: gemstone name + generation + specification. The number following the name denotes the series or size class (Juwel 6 for tractors from 50 to 130 PS, Juwel 8 from 90 to over 300 PS). For ploughs, the letters denote the specifications: M = mechanical tilt adjustment, V = hydraulic working width adjustment, X = mechanical, U = hydraulic non-stop stone protection (OptiStone), i = ISOBUS. This is followed by the number of coulters – ‘4+1’ means four bodies plus one retrofittable body – and the body spacing in cm (90, 100 or 120). A ‘Juwel 8 M V U 5 100’ is therefore a five-body plough with hydraulic working width adjustment, hydraulic stone protection and a body spacing of 100 cm. For cultivators, disc harrows and rotary harrows, the number after the slash indicates the working width in cm (Rubin 10/400 = 4.0 m); ‘K’ stands for folding, ‘A’ for semi-mounted.
| Model | Specifications | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| Juwel 8 M V (U) | 3–7 shares, body spacing 90/100/120 cm, 90–333 PS | Lemken’s best-selling plough: primary tillage on medium-sized and large farms |
| Juwel 6 | 3–5 ploughshares (up to 4+1), body spacing 90/100 cm, 50–130 PS | smaller tractors, forage farms and part-time farms |
| EurOpal 7 / 8 | usually 4–5 shares | Older mounted reversible ploughs, affordable entry-level option |
| Diamant 16 (V/U) | 5–9 ploughshares, from 150 PS | large areas; the steering axle allows ploughing right up to the edge of the field |
| Rubin 10 | 3–7 m (foldable up to 10 m), discs Ø 645 mm | intensive stubble cultivation, large amounts of straw and maize stubble |
| Heliodor 9 | 2–16 m, discs Ø 510 mm, up to 12 cm deep | Shallow, fast stubble cultivation and seedbed preparation |
| Karat 10 | 3–7 m, three beams, 105–490 PS | Intensive cultivator, from shallow stubble cultivation to deep loosening |
| Zirkon 12 | 3.0–4.5 m, 90–240 PS | Rotary harrow, often combined with a Saphir or Solitair seed drill |
| Solitair 9 | 4–6 m, hopper 1,850–2,300 l, pneumatic | Drill-sowing on larger farms and by contract farming businesses |
What we look for in a second-hand Lemken
Plough bodies and wear parts: check the shares, scrapers, attachments and soles; heavily eroded scrapers and worn-down share tips drive up costs. For ploughs with U-configuration, check the hydraulic stone guard for pressure and leaks.
Swivel mechanism and frame: The swivel mechanism of the reversible plough must rotate smoothly and without play. Inspect the frame for cracks and warping; on V-ploughs, ensure the width adjustment can be moved through its full range.
Discs, tines and bearings: For Rubin and Heliodor models, check the disc diameters and bearings; for Karat and Kristall models, check the coulters and guide plates. The rear roller supports the implement – bearings and scrapers should be checked as part of the inspection.
Rotary harrows and seed drills: For the Zirkon, check the gearbox, tine holders and oil level; for the Saphir and Solitair, check the metering, coulters and electronics. Lemken spare parts are readily available from specialist retailers.
Lemken with us: Dealers and stock
Mecklenburger Landtechnik in Gülzow-Prüzen manages our Lemken stock: primarily soil cultivation equipment and ploughs, with the occasional trailer – each listing’s specifications include working width, number of coulters and features. You can find comparable machinery under Kverneland, Amazone and Horsch.
Frequently asked questions about Lemken
What do M, V, U and X mean on Lemken ploughs?
M stands for mechanical tilt adjustment, V for hydraulic working width adjustment, X for mechanical and U for hydraulic non-stop stone clearance, and i for ISOBUS. This is followed by the number of coulters and the body spacing in cm, for example ‘5 100’ for five bodies spaced 100 cm apart.
Which Lemken implements are most commonly traded second-hand?
On the major second-hand portals, the Juwel 8 mounted reversible plough, the Zirkon rotary harrow – often in combination with a seed drill – and the Rubin short-disc harrow are the most popular. Karat cultivators and older EurOpal ploughs are also frequently found.
Is the Juwel the successor to the EurOpal?
Juwel is the current range of mounted reversible ploughs; EurOpal and VariOpal are the older ranges, which are still widely available second-hand. For spare parts, the exact model designation on the type plate is required.
Is the Lemken Saphir the same as the Saphir brand?
No. At Lemken, Saphir is a mechanical seed drill that is often used in combination with a rotary harrow. The Saphir brand is an independent manufacturer of soil cultivation, grassland and farm machinery based in Lower Saxony.
Does Lemken still manufacture field sprayers?
No, production of conventional field sprayers such as the Sirius or Albatros ceased in 2020. Lemken continues to offer spare parts and servicing for existing sprayers. New products now include technology for band spraying and mechanical weed control.
Which Lemken plough is suitable for my tractor?
As a general rule: the Juwel 6 for 50 to 130 PS, the Juwel 8 for 90 to 333 PS, and the Diamant 16 semi-mounted plough from 150 PS. The decisive factors are the number of coulters, the soil type and the lifting capacity of the rear hydraulics.
Can I lease a Lemken implement or finance it via hire purchase?
For many listings – both new and used – you can submit a non-binding leasing or hire-purchase enquiry directly. You can discuss the terms with the dealer or their finance partner; the purchase and payment are arranged directly between you and the seller.
An overview of all models: Agricultural machinery · Related products: Ploughs, soil cultivation equipment, seed drills