Soil cultivation before sowing is an important part of agro-technical measures, the purpose of which is to create a fuzzy layer on the surface of the earth. To perform this function, a special technique is used with a specific set of working bodies. In particular, such tasks are solved by a pre-sowing cultivator, provided with nodes and mechanisms for coupling with tractors.
Appointment of the unit
The equipment is used to prepare fertile soil layers for sowing various crops, including corn, flax, beets, soybeans, etc. As part of this preparation, the cultivator implements a set of tasks, including loosening, sealing moisture, caring for vapors, forming a bed for seeds . The specific set of capabilities for different models has its own, but the main thing remains the operation of layer-by-layer crumbling of the upper layer of the earth with additional effects of compaction and leveling. At the same time, cultivators of pre-sowing preparation of the soil have severe restrictions on use. This applies to certain indicators of soil moisture, field slope, rockiness and soil density. In order to preserve the equipment and maintain its functionality at the proper level, manufacturers do not recommend using these tools on problematic surfaces or for performing inappropriate tasks.
The basic design of the seedbed cultivator
This technical tool can be considered as attachments with a wheel part, but without its own drive system. Most cultivators of this type, in order to form a full-fledged chassis, are aggregated with tractor equipment. The construction of the cultivator is a block-modular predominantly metal device based on a frame platform. On the main supporting frame, equipment is usually installed for fastening the wheels and fixation units of the working bodies. The configuration of the placement of the latter may be different, but from the point of view of the relationship with the supporting platform, it is worth emphasizing the prevalence of segmented structures.
Such cultivators for presowing cultivation of the soil provide for the possibility of transformation of the frame base in order to supplement the lateral working modules. Docking and control of functional units is carried out by means of hydraulic cylinders operating from the hydraulic system of the tractor.
Work items
To begin with, it is worth emphasizing the important function that auxiliary equipment performs. It includes mounting racks, equalizers and position adjusters. Using these components, you can remove and install the processing tools, their adjustment in height / depth and other parameters. As for the direct working bodies, the standard equipment for the pre-sowing cultivator include:
- Lancet paws. Usually bolted and quick-detachable devices with a width of up to 300-350 mm are used. They realize deep processing (including chisel), without leaving ridges and furrows.
- Usually, a plank-tooth module follows the paws to eliminate the left irregularities. It can perform microrelief correction, surface loosening, crushing of blocks, and some modifications also distribute plant debris (mulching).
- Rotary harrow. Designed for in-depth crumbling of soil at the level of sowing and subsequent extraction of weed seedlings to the surface of the earth.
If we talk about operating parameters, then a typical cultivator captures a strip with a width of 3-5 m with a maximum depth of 20-30 cm. The speed of the course varies from 15 to 20 km / h on average.
Extended equipment
The quality of the unit depends on many operational factors. Optionally eliminate the negative nuances and stimulate the positive effects of using the cultivator allow optional devices. Although many of the add-ons are increasingly being introduced into the basic equipment delivery kits. In particular, the Kristall pre-sowing cultivator “Lemken” is equipped with an innovative system for changing the working bodies, which makes it possible to quickly reconstruct the configuration of the paws taking into account current requirements for processing tactics.
In addition, a hydraulic lock, guide plates (on the sides), a pneumatic seed drill, etc. are included in the package of such models. Also, modern designs are provided by hydropneumatic accumulators, which reduce shock loads on the bearing part and wheels. The operating pressure of hydraulic cylinders in such mechanisms reaches 130-150 kg / cm 2 .
Cultivator Maintenance
Manufacturers recommend a set of maintenance activities once a month. Among the main technical support measures for pre-sowing cultivators, the following can be noted:
- Cleaning surfaces of the structure from dirt, dust and residual vegetation.
- During the visual inspection, the condition of the unit, the quality of fastening of the components, the correctness of the adjustment of the working tools, and the reliability of the connections are checked.
- Performing adjustment operations in accordance with current processing needs.
- Lubrication of work units and parts. In particular, transport wheels, thrust bearings, connecting equipment, rotary rollers, frames, hydraulic cylinders, etc. are subjected to treatment with technical fluid. The list of lubricated elements is indicated in the lubrication chart supplied by the manufacturer for a specific cultivator model.
Conclusion
The land cultivation system before sowing is still not the most difficult job in terms of execution technology. To prepare the soil, sometimes the simplest agricultural tools are enough. Nevertheless, the pre-sowing cultivator is an indispensable technical tool used by large agricultural enterprises. Along with the quality and high speed of land cultivation, the user gets the opportunity to optimize organizational efforts, performing several operations within the framework of one work process. Ultimately, the multitasking and functionality of such cultivators becomes the key to the economic benefits of their use.