 |
Horticultural Crops
Rotary
Tilling Cultivators (multiple heads)
Overview: The spaces between their independent
gangs and their vertical clearance of 18" to 24" allow weeding in
many crops long into the season. Metal housing around the tilling
blades protects plants and contains moving soil. These tools are
designed and constructed for shallow tillage—high-speed slicing
of weeds just below the soil surface—not primary tillage. They can
handle less crop residue than the solid-shaft tillers and are lower
priced. Depending on soil and residue conditions, the better multiple-head
units work for strip-till planting if suitable seedboxes are cushioned
from vibration to allow consistent seed placement.
When working young plants in crusted soils, tiller cultivators
tend to decrease clodding compared with sweep cultivators. Because
sweeps need to be driven slowly to avoid pushing clods onto the
plants, the tillers can travel faster in these conditions, do a
superior job of weed control and cause less crop damage. Overall,
tillers can work effectively in moister soils than can sweeps.
Design Features: The individually suspended inter-row
gangs are mounted with parallel linkage; heads vary in width from
5" to 60" by knife width and arrangement. Gangs attach to a main
toolbar. Chain drive powers the heads from an elevated hex-shaped
PTO drive shaft that runs parallel to—and just below—the main toolbar.
Heavy-duty models have cast-iron gearboxes. Some makers provide
two lengths of chain housing for better adaptation for use on raised
beds. Additional furrower attachments are necessary to move soil
into rows for any in-row weed control.
Model for comparison: 66" to 72" wide; working three 18" rows
on 60" bed
Rec. PTO HP: 25 to 35
Speed: 2.5 to 5
List price: $4,950 to $5,500
Width range (all makers/all models): 1' to 18'
Sources: 16, 26,
53, 80
Farmers: Berning, Haines,
Harlow, Kenagy
TIPS: For small market garden farmers, a walk-behind tiller can serve as an
effective shallow cultivator if properly set. High vertical sides limit how
close these units can cultivate to the row of a crop with a broad canopy. Sources:
Ardisam, BCS, Garden Way, Goldoni, Snapper
Next section
Horticultural Tool Index
|
