How to plow with a cultivator?
The cultivation of large plots of land, as a rule, does not do without a cultivator. Despite the fact that today a significant number of models of different brands from well-known and popular manufacturers are presented on the market, the plowing itself is carried out according to a similar technique.
Preparation for work
- Before you start using the cultivator in the country, you should carefully evaluate the presence of all elements of the device and their performance, and also run in. According to the operating instructions, a canopy is installed, which is responsible for plowing the soil, the fasteners are checked and tightened, and the handle height is adjusted.
- Then the garden itself is necessarily prepared - large stones and large branches are thrown out, as well as pieces of glass that can even injure a person by flying out from below.
It is important to mention that a light cultivator will not cope with heavy, difficult soils - this requires a device that starts at 70 kilograms.
- In addition, if possible pneumatic wheels should be replaced with lugs, which will increase traction, but will not clog with earth during the process:
- To attach the lug, the first step is to remove the wheels and hubs.
- The latter are replaced by another type with a greater length, which is connected to the shaft drive by special spiers.
- Finally, everything ends with the installation of the lug.
By the way, if a newly purchased device is used, you will need to wipe the preservative grease from it. To do this, a rag is soaked in gasoline and used to process metal parts, which must then be wiped dry.
- Initial operation is carried out with two cutters on each side and at a very low speed. Gradually "turnovers" are increasing.
- The first 5 or even 10 hours of operation, the cultivator should be in a light mode, gradually warming up and adapting to the loads.
How to adjust the plowing depth?
The tillage depth usually varies from 10 to 25 centimeters. Adjustment and adjustment of this indicator is based on the following factors:
- the increased weight of the device will lead to more intense exposure; for this, for example, it is worth attaching additional soils to the wheels;
- it will be possible to increase the elaboration if one or another operation is repeated several times, each time going deeper and deeper.
It will also be possible to adjust the effect with the opener fixed in the shackle using bushings and cotter pins, while the lowered opener is fixed on the shackle through the upper holes to increase the penetration depth, and to reduce it, everything happens the other way around.
After winter, in order to ensure maximum cultivation, you must first plow the ground to a depth of approximately 10 centimeters, and then walk again, increasing the depth of the cutters from 15 to 25 centimeters.
How to plow properly?
The operating instructions for the cultivator contain enough useful information regarding the processing of different soils and even areas. Work should be done on slightly damp soil, as the presence of moisture makes it easier to cultivate the land. However, excessive moisture will cause the earth to clog the knives, so you will have to wait until it dries up.
If the garden has the shape of a rectangle, then use the cultivator should be "in a circle", and if it is a square, then the device goes in "zigzags". The speed and intensity of digging will also be interrelated with the condition of the soil, therefore, for example, soil interspersed with small stones will have to be processed at low speeds.
The compacted soil will have to be processed in two stages. At first, processing should be done at a minimum depth, and after that you can already go to the required one.
The impact with a motor-cultivator, ideally, occurs very carefully so as not to interfere with either trees or plants - this is done when a large area is divided into small plots for plowing. When the area becomes narrower, it is logical to reduce the working width. This is done by eliminating external cutters.
In general, during operation, the device should not be pushed, only set the direction.
In addition, you cannot follow the cultivator, thereby deforming the surface layer of the newly cultivated soil. It is considered correct to unfold the handle for convenience and move parallel to the movement of the device.
The optimal state is when the cultivation of the ground with flat cutters occurs to a depth of one and a half shovels. To achieve this effect, you should swing the cultivator from side to side from time to time.
The same action will help in a situation where the technique is stuck in the ground. If the wheels are slightly buried in the ground, but this causes certain difficulties, their position should be changed or the location of the cutters should be changed.
A common situation is when it becomes impossible to plow the virgin soil evenly due to the fact that the machine is bouncing all the time. To solve the problem is extremely simple - to put additional weight.
Plowing itself is carried out according to the following simple scheme:
- the cultivator is installed at the edge of the site;
- overdrive is activated;
- the device performs the assigned task.
After finishing cultivating the land or planting potatoes, you should follow these steps:
- metal knives should be wiped with a rag;
- cutters must be rinsed and wiped thoroughly so that not a single drop of liquid remains.
When owning a cultivator, it is important to regularly monitor the oil level and also check the condition of the air filter. This rule, by the way, is also true for any garden equipment. The oil should be exactly what the manufacturer recommends. If necessary, it will have to be replaced, and the available quantity must be checked regularly. When the fuel has run out, it is important to allow the motor cultivator engine to cool down and then recharge.
It will be possible to guarantee the high-quality operation of the cultivator if the oil is changed once in the interval from 25 to 50 hours. In no case should you buy cheap gasoline or something similar instead of specialized fuel. In this case, with active processing, the product will begin to form a solid sediment, clogging important nodes. As a result, the cultivator will quickly fail and will have to be repaired. The filter condition is monitored every time before use. A heavily soiled part should be cleaned immediately or replaced with a new one. In addition, professionals recommend pouring a small amount of engine oil into the filter housing, which enhances the cleaning ability of this device.
In the process of plowing the land, it is worth lifting the transport ring used to transport the cultivator. If you leave it on the ground, then the immersion of the cutters will deteriorate, since the device will acquire an additional point of support.
The handle, as a rule, is adjusted to the height of the working person. To do this, just look at the condition of the hands. It is correct if, during work, they are practically straightened, and incorrectly - when they bend at the elbows.
Starting work with a motor-cultivator, experts recommend that you deal with the opener and start using it correctly.Raising the opener speeds up the forward movement of the device, while sinking it into the ground enhances the cultivation itself. In addition, it is important to set its bend against the movement - this will simplify the control of the technique. Professionals do not advise from the very beginning to use all available cutters - this number is determined depending on the condition of the soil for cultivation. The denser the soil, the smaller the number of cutters required, since the processing width in this case decreases. However, this rule most likely applies when processing virgin lands - in subsequent processes, the number of cutters can be large.
Protective discs are not a mandatory part, but their installation is encouraged, as it allows you to protect objects on the site from negative impact. For example, discs allow the cultivator to walk very close to flower beds or paths. If there are no discs, then in "difficult" places it will be enough just to remove the external cutters. It is worth mentioning that it would be good to determine the trajectory of movement right away, especially if a fence is installed on the site, an abundant amount of decorative elements, or it borders on a building.
Safety engineering
The safety rules recommended for execution when using a motor-cultivator are not complicated.
It is worth adhering to the following rules:
- operation is allowed to start only after full acquaintance with the instructions attached to the device;
- it is forbidden to use the device by children, as well as by persons who do not have experience in handling the device;
- during plowing, it is important to eliminate the proximity of any animals and other people;
- work should be carried out in closed clothes with long sleeves and closed shoes without dangling elements or in special equipment; it is better to choose high shoes, for example, boots or "ankle boots", the toe of which is covered with a metal plate; we must not forget about gloves, mainly in the case of cultivating difficult soils, as well as safety glasses;
- during operation, it is required to keep hands and feet away from rotating elements, as well as maintain a balance with respect to the forward and reverse handles; they cannot be raised at the same time, since one must always remain lowered;
- vibrations occurring during operation signal the presence of breakdowns; in this case, the engine stops, cools down and the malfunctions are eliminated if possible; most often the problem is in a weakened mount, which is easy to normalize;
- in the presence of a model with a reverse gear, it is important to adhere to one simple rule: before changing direction, you should wait until the cutters have come to a complete stop.
You can find out more about how to properly plow with a motor cultivator in the next video.
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