Plowing with a walk-behind tractor: device selection, preparation and methods of work

Plowing the land with a walk-behind tractor has many advantages. This procedure contributes to the saturation of the soil with oxygen and its purification from weeds. It also helps to increase the duration of the preservation of snow cover. The use of a walk-behind tractor helps to significantly facilitate the plowing of a large area. At the same time, it is important to properly prepare the unit and pay attention to the choice of the method of plowing the beds.

Choosing a walk-behind tractor

Motoblock is a versatile device that can perform several different operations. It is used for plowing the soil, planting vegetables, weeding beds, hilling potatoes, harvesting, mowing grass.

In addition, walk-behind tractors are often used for garbage collection, snow removal and transportation of various goods. In order for the product to give the desired result, it is important to use it correctly, taking into account a number of rules and recommendations. Choosing the right device is important.

Light

In most cases, gasoline walk-behind tractors are called light. However, sometimes diesel devices are also found. Light models for plowing the land are considered economical. In addition, they differ in a small price. Such devices are used for cultivating the soil at an average depth. Many of them can be supplemented with static attachments - a plow, a hiller, a potato digger.

It is important to consider that such devices will not be able to cope with unplowed soil. They will jump. In addition, the cutters will not be able to get into the depth.

Average

Such devices for the garden are considered more serious. Their advantages include the possibility of combination with various equipment, including active components. These include: rotary mower, brush, water pump, snow auger.

Medium motoblocks are characterized by higher power and weight. Basically, they are air-cooled diesel units. However, diesel engines are also occasionally found.

Heavy

This category includes the most expensive and functional models for a summer cottage. They are heavy and large in size. Such devices cope well with dynamic attachments and are equipped with extremely powerful diesel engines, which are water-cooled. This provides a long-term effect on any type of soil. Such walk-behind tractors have powerful steel cutters with active feed.

Advantages and disadvantages of mechanical plowing

The main advantages of using a walk-behind tractor include the following:

• need for a minimum amount of physical and time costs for plowing the soil - this helps to significantly increase the level of productivity;
• possibility of parallel carrying out additional work along with plowing - this helps to simultaneously apply the necessary fertilizers to the soil;
• the ability to evenly and deeply plow the soil, improving its condition and structure;
• saturate the soil with enough oxygen and achieve optimal moisture levels;
• slowing the growth and development of weeds;
• almost doubling of yield parameters.

At the same time, the use of a walk-behind tractor for plowing also has certain disadvantages. These include the impossibility of using the technique for solids with deep roots. In such a situation, it is necessary to remove long rhizomes manually.

In addition, with the annual use of the deep plowing method, there is a loss of natural fertility in the upper soil layer. As a result, it is required to apply fertilizer and give the earth periodic rest.

Preparation for work

To cultivate the soil with a walk-behind tractor, you need to properly prepare. To do this, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Install the grouser. These are metal wheels with a diameter of up to 60 centimeters and a width of 17-20 centimeters. There are also thinner samples on sale, but you should not buy them. They will not help to make an even furrow.
2. Install and adjust the plow. It needs to be fixed with special hitches, which are attached to the unit with a pivot. The connection of the hitch and the unit should be carried out with a backlash of 5-6 degrees. With a fixed fixation, the walk-behind tractor will wind in different directions.It is not worth fully tightening the nuts, as the fixation will have to be strengthened or loosened.
3. Start the unit. Before doing this, it is important to check the oil level and fill the tank with fuel. When refueling the device with diesel fuel, it is worth considering the temperature regime. In winter, it is important to use winter diesel fuel. Before starting, it is important to evaluate the performance of the steering wheel, reverse, gas, clutch.

How to plow with a walk-behind tractor?

For proper plowing of the site, it is required to prepare it well. To do this, it is recommended to stretch a cord along the borders for a guideline. This is especially important for people who will carry out work for the first time.

Then it is worth manually collecting large stones, removing stumps and snags. After preparing the site and starting the engine, it is recommended to turn on the speed and start plowing.

Carry out the procedure at the second speed. However, when changing the depth of impact or changing the soil, the first one is also required.

The first furrow should be done in low gear. This is due to the need for an even and accurate row formation. Then it will become a guide for subsequent furrows.

After completing the passage of the first row, it is worth evaluating the depth of plowing. It should be 20 centimeters. After that, you need to turn the walk-behind tractor, install the right lug in the furrow, turn on the first speed and change direction.

Plowing methods

It is permissible to plow the soil in different ways. The main options include the following:

• Vsval. In the case of using this method, it is recommended to start moving from the central part of the site. After reaching its edge, the implement must be deployed, set the right lug in the furrow and begin to move back to the central part. This forms a large ridge of the earth.If there is snow on the site, it penetrates the furrows and does not melt for a long time, which helps to saturate the soil with moisture. The method is practically devoid of disadvantages. Because it is considered popular among many farmers.

• Waddling. In this case, it is worth starting to move on the right side of the site. After reaching the end of the row, the walk-behind tractor needs to be overtaken to the left side of the site and start moving in the opposite direction. Using this method, it is worth digging up the entire area until the rows close. The use of this method makes it possible to turn the soil over and fill it with previously used fertilizers.

• Under the winter. It is permissible to plow a garden with a walk-behind tractor 2 times a year. This is done in the spring - before planting. Also, the procedure is allowed to be carried out in the fall - after harvesting.Autumn processing is considered the most important. It helps to completely get rid of weeds and successfully loosen the soil. Thanks to this, it is possible to improve air exchange, achieve high-quality drainage and avoid the formation of mold. The period of autumn plowing is influenced by the climatic conditions of the region. However, in any case, it is recommended to do this before the first frosts.

Plowing the soil with a walk-behind tractor has many advantages. For the procedure to be successful, it is important to choose the right device and follow the rules for its use.

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