A cultivator is a type of agricultural machinery specifically used to cultivate land. Its main function is to loosen, break and mix the soil through mechanical force, thereby improving the soil structure, increasing soil permeability and water retention capacity, and providing a better soil environment for the growth of crops. Cultivators play an important role in modern agricultural production. They can significantly improve farming efficiency, reduce farmers' labor intensity, and save time and labor costs.
In modern agriculture, choosing the right cultivator is crucial to increasing crop yields and protecting soil structure. Different soil types have different requirements for cultivators, and the wrong choice may cause damage to the soil structure, reduce soil fertility, and even affect the growth of crops. So, how to choose the most suitable cultivator according to different soil types? This article will explain this issue in detail for you and help you make informed decisions during the farming process.
1. types and uses of tillage machines
There are four main types of tilling machines: rotary tillers, reversible plows, disc harrows and blade harrows .
- Rotary machine
A rotary tiller is a common tilling machine, and its main feature is that it uses rotating blades to till the land. The advantage of a rotary tiller is that it can loosen the soil, break up the soil, and mix the crop residues. It is suitable for all kinds of soils, especially in the land preparation stage before sowing, and can effectively improve the soil's aeration and water retention.
- Flip Plough
The reversing plow (also known as the reverse plow) is a traditional tillage tool that uses the plowshare and the plow bottom for deep plowing, which can completely turn over the surface soil, bury crop residues and weeds, and help prevent and control pests and diseases. The reversing plow is suitable for large areas of arable land, especially heavy clay and uncultivated land.
- Disc harrow
The disc harrow is composed of multiple discs and is pulled by a tractor. The disc harrow is mainly used for land preparation after ploughing. It can break up soil clods, level the ground, improve soil structure, and facilitate subsequent sowing and irrigation. It is suitable for medium and light soils, especially sandy and loamy soils.
- Blade rake
Blade harrows (also known as gear harrows or spring harrows) are equipped with multiple rows of blades and are suitable for surface tillage and shallow soil loosening. They can cut weeds on the surface and break up soil clods. They are suitable for light soils and operations that require fast tillage.
2. How to choose a suitable tillage machine according to soil type?
2.1 Which tillage machine is suitable for sandy soil?
Sandy soil has larger particles and better drainage, but poor water and fertilizer retention capabilities and is easily affected by wind and water erosion.
- Types of tillage machines suitable for sandy soil
Rotary tiller : Rotary tiller can effectively break up the soil, making it softer and more conducive to uniform germination of seeds. For sandy soil, rotary tiller can avoid excessive disturbance of the soil and reduce the risk of wind erosion.
Light tractors : Since sandy soil is relatively loose, light tractors are less likely to get bogged down in the mud when traveling on this type of soil, making them suitable for light farming.
- Recommendations for using sand tillage machines
Adjust the depth : When using a rotary tiller, it is recommended to control the depth to 15-20 cm to ensure the loosening of the soil surface while avoiding disturbing the soil layer too deep.
Multiple tillage : Since the structure of sandy soil is relatively loose, multiple rotary tillage can be carried out before and after tillage to ensure the uniformity of the soil.
In some farmlands on the edge of the desert, farmers choose to use rotary tillers to ensure that the surface layer of the soil remains loose, while reducing disturbance of the deeper soil and protecting the soil structure.
2.2 Which tillage machine is suitable for loam soil?
Loam is a mixture of sand, clay and silt that has good drainage and water retention, making it the most ideal agricultural soil.
- Types of tillage machines suitable for loam soil
Multipurpose tractors : Multipurpose tractors can be used for various farming tasks such as ploughing, sowing and harvesting due to the structural stability of the loam.
Plow : Plow can deep turn the loam, break up the soil compaction layer, increase soil aeration, and facilitate root growth.
- Soil Cultivator Usage Recommendations
Regular rotation of tillage : It is recommended to carry out deep tillage every 3-5 years to break up the soil compaction layer and improve soil aeration.
Combine with organic fertilizer : During the farming process, you can combine the application of organic fertilizer to improve the fertility of the soil.
In some agriculturally developed areas of Europe, farmers generally use multi-purpose tractors and plows to cultivate loam, which can not only improve soil aeration but also maintain soil fertility.
2.3 Which tillage machine is suitable for clay soil?
Clay has fine particles and strong water and fertilizer retention capabilities, but has poor drainage and is easily compacted.
- Clay soil suitable tillage machine type
Heavy tractor : Clay soil is very sticky and requires a heavy tractor for deep tillage to break up the compacted layer of soil.
Deep tiller : Deep tiller can penetrate deep into the soil layer, break up soil compaction, and increase soil aeration and drainage capacity.
- Clay tiller usage recommendations
Deep tillage : It is recommended that the tillage depth reach more than 30 cm to ensure that the soil compaction layer is broken.
Drainage system : In clay areas, you can consider building a drainage system to prevent the soil from becoming compacted due to excessive moisture.
In some rice-growing regions of Asia, farmers use heavy tractors and deep tillers to cultivate clay soils, which ensures that the soil is aerated and well-drained, which is beneficial for rice growth.
2.4 Which tillage machine is suitable for saline-alkali soil and silt soil?
Saline-alkali soil : Saline-alkali soil has a high salt content and is prone to damage plant roots. It is necessary to use corrosion-resistant tillage machines to avoid damage to the machinery caused by salt. A deep tiller with salt-alkali resistance can be used to improve the soil and increase its air permeability and drainage.
Silt soil : Silt soil has finer particles, is sticky, has strong water retention, but has poor aeration. Due to the stickiness and moisture of silt soil, specially designed tillers are needed to prevent the machine from getting stuck in the mud. Heavy tractors and deep tillage plows can be used to break up the soil structure and increase aeration.
- Recommendations for using tillage machines for saline-alkali soil and silt soil
Corrosion-resistant materials : In saline-alkali soil areas, it is recommended to choose to use tillage machines made of corrosion-resistant materials to extend the service life of the equipment.
Regular improvement : In silt soil areas, use deep tillers regularly to improve the soil and prevent it from becoming compacted.
3. How to maintain a tilling machine?
Maintenance of tillage machines is very important to extend their service life and ensure good working results.
3.1 Cleaning and lubrication
- Clean the tiller promptly after use, especially after working in a muddy or dusty environment.
- Regularly check and lubricate key parts such as bearings, chains, transmission devices, etc. to ensure smooth operation.
3.2 Inspection and replacement of knives and blades
- Regularly check the wear of the tiller's knives and blades, and replace knives that are severely worn or have lost their sharpness in a timely manner.
- Pay attention to adjusting the angle and depth of the blade to ensure optimal tillage results.
3.3 Protecting the device housing
- Make sure the outer shell of the tiller is intact to avoid bumps and damage.
- If there are signs of rust or corrosion, clean and paint them promptly to extend their service life.
3.4 Regular inspection and maintenance of the power system
- Check the working condition of the engine, transmission and hydraulic system to ensure their normal performance.
- Regularly replace engine oil and filter to maintain the stability and reliability of the power system.
3.5 Preparation before storage
- Before a long period of non-use, clean the tiller thoroughly, including removing residues and soil.
- It is best to store the machine in a dry and ventilated place to avoid exposure to adverse weather conditions.
Choosing the right tillage machine according to the soil type is a vital part of agricultural production. The right choice can not only improve farming efficiency and protect soil structure, but also promote the healthy growth of crops. In actual operation, farmers should choose the most suitable type of tillage machine according to the specific conditions of local soil and their own economic conditions. Through the scientific selection and use of tillage machines, we can achieve sustainable agricultural development and improve the yield and quality of crops.
