Potato is one of the most popular crops that is grown not only here, but also in many countries of Eastern Europe. Over the course of three hundred years of potato growing history, agronomic technologies have been created with the help of which they have tried to facilitate the cultivation of crops and increase its productivity. If on an industrial scale of growing potatoes today, tractors with interchangeable nozzles by cultivators are used for hilling plants, then in home gardens you can use a self-made hiller for a walk-behind tractor.
Various models of nibblers
Okuchnik is the second most important tool after the plow and winch. With its help, you can first cut the furrows for planting, and subsequently fill them with planting material.
Carrying out the hiller along the aisles of evenly planted rows of potatoes, one can observe how the wings of the instrument quickly add soil to the holes with tubers
On sale you can find several options for the models of this tool.
Option # 1 - Lister Hiller
This is the simplest type of tool that has a fixed working width. The design consists of two connected and slightly extended fixed wings. Since the wings of the tool are fixed, you cannot adjust the working width by adjusting the hiller to fit the row spacing. Therefore, when working with such a tool, row spacings are adapted to the possibilities of the hiller, and not vice versa. Traditionally, manufacturers produce products with a working width of 25-30 cm, which is also not the most convenient option, because the technology for growing potatoes provides a row spacing of 50-60 cm.
Such tools are designed to work with motor cultivators, the power of which does not exceed 3.5 hp, and the total mass of the unit is 25-30 kg
The design feature of the lister hills is also the presence of thin racks that prevent overloading the cultivator when the hiller is buried in layers of dense soil.
Some models of lister hills have a streamlined shape, which is more preferable, since when working with such an instrument, the soil is less twisted and withered.
It may also be useful material on how to monitor the condition of the soil in the country: //diz-cafe.com/ozelenenie/ot-chego-zavisit-plodorodie-pochvy.html
Option # 2 - products with a variable working width
Such tools are more convenient in operation, since they are equipped with an adjustment mechanism with which you can change the position of the wings. This allows you to adjust the tool to different row spacing.
Such hillers are designed to work with more powerful motoblocks with an engine from 4, 0 hp. and more, whose weight exceeds 30 kg
A significant drawback of such structures is their high energy intensity. The reason for this is that in the process of work, the wings of the tool move the soil to the side, part of which, after passing, still crumbles back into the furrow. As a result, the back and arms get tired faster, and part of the engine power is spent on useless work. But despite this, they are one of the most popular models among most gardeners.
And also, you can make a trailer for a walk-behind tractor, read about it: //diz-cafe.com/tech/pricep-dlya-motobloka-svoimi-rukami.html
Option # 3 - Disk Models
Disk hillers are much more expensive than their traditional counterparts, but the efficiency of working with such tools is many times greater
The main advantages of disk spouts are:
- A successful combination of a walk-behind tractor with the tool itself. Using a disk hiller, with a decrease in the speed of the cultivator, its power increases. This not only increases the efficiency of cultivation, but also positively affects the operation of the unit itself.
- Convenience in operation. To work with such a tool, you need to make a minimum of effort: he pushes himself forward, without requiring additional pushing from behind.
- Universality of application. Using this tool, hilling can be done both after planting tubers and during the period of active growth of the aerial parts of crops.
Choosing among the variety of assortment, it is advisable to give preference to models made of alloy steel, equipped with rolling bearings (rather than sliding bushings), with a large diameter and thickness of the disks.
Option # 4 - Hoppers of a propeller type
The principle of operation of the tool is the operation of special propellers, under the influence of which the soil is first crushed and weeds are combed out, and after the loose soil beds are sprinkled
Such hillers are designed to equip walk-behind tractors and motor cultivators, which have two forward gears. This is necessary so that in the second gear with an increase in power up to 180 rpm, with the help of the tool it is possible not only to loosen, but also to transfer the soil to the beds from the row-spacing.
The cultivator can also be constructed independently, read about it: //diz-cafe.com/tech/samodelnyj-kultivator.html
An example of self-production of a lister hiller
As you can see, the hills are quite simple designs. There is nothing complicated in making a hiller yourself for a walk-behind tractor.
To create a traditional unregulated hiller, you need to cut halves of the product according to a template from metal 2 mm thick
These halves should be bent until the radii coincide, and then weld in 2-3 passes. Welds should be grinded and, if necessary, selectively welded and re-cleaned. The result should be a perfect even layer of metal.
The wings of the tool are also cut out of metal 2 mm thick and are connected according to the same principle.
The result should be such a design. For clarity, the thickness of the elements and all dimensions of the base of the tool are indicated.
A simple model of a disk hiller to a walk-behind tractor
To make a tool, you need to choose the type of wings. Disks, or plowshares dumps, are steel sheets with a thickness of 1.5-2 mm, having bent lower edges.
An important condition: the discs must be strictly symmetrical. Otherwise, the design will "lead" to the side, which will significantly complicate the work.
When arranging the structure, plowshares taken from the old seeder can be used.
The plowshares are installed at an angle, maintaining the distance between the lower points corresponding to the wheel track width equal to the row spacing
Connect the elements together using a bolted connection or by welding. The discs themselves are connected using adjustable adapters. In addition to disks, the main elements of the tool are: T-shaped leash, screw turnbuckles and racks. Turnbuckles are necessary for adjustment along the vertical axis of rotation of the discs. The tool is attached to the walk-behind tractor using a beam with wings.
In the manufacture and assembly of parts based on the drawing, it is important to provide for the aspect ratio and mounting design. There are two options for manufacturing the tool: with a fixed or variable width of the wings. With the second arrangement method, the distance between the disks can be changed by symmetric rearrangement of the racks.
The main elements of the assembly: 1 - machined row, 2 - disk, 3 - fist, 4 - T-bracket, 5 - stand, 6 - steel scraper, 7 - bridge beam, 8 - locking bolt, 9 - handle-ridges
To facilitate the work with the tool, it is necessary to provide the arrangement of sliding bearings. By installing bearings, not sliding bushings, you can increase the reliability of the product.
Material will also be useful on how to make an adapter for a walk-behind tractor yourself: //diz-cafe.com/tech/adapter-dlya-motobloka-svoimi-rukami.html
In the process of assembling the structure, a hitch bracket without a ridge is used to attach the tool to the walk-behind tractor. To do this, attach the hiller lead to the bracket using a stopper and bolts with flat washers. The stopper is inserted into the square tube and pressed tightly against its outer surface.
The hitch bracket is turned with bolts, and the leash is placed along the longitudinal axis of the walk-behind tractor
The unit is ready for operation. Working in first gear, by reducing the translational speed, you can increase the traction of the walk-behind tractor. If the wheels slip during the hilling process, they must be mated.
