Harrow is an agricultural device known to mankind since ancient times. At the moment, there are several types of this tool, divided by general and special purpose. What it is used for, classification, rules of application, as well as many other useful information can be found in this article.
Harrow first appearance
The harrow is a tool of labor, which appeared even in the first method of farming (slash-fire). Its essence is deforestation with the subsequent burning of trees, bushes, turf. Ash was used as fertilizer. Loosening the ground with a primitive hoe, our ancestors sowed mainly cereals, getting a high yield. In the second year of using the site, it was necessary to apply a more technological way of cultivating the land.
The meaning of the word harrow, as it is understood in the modern world, is agricultural equipment consisting of a frame with teeth pointing vertically. The main purpose is the small loosening of the soil, which protects it from drying out, evens out, removing weeds. Approximately this definition of a harrow is given by all dictionaries and encyclopedias.
Our ancestors, realizing the importance of caring for the crops carefully, developed their own methods, even if primitive ones. They had 2 types of harrows: bow and tray. The bow was a half-split long tree trunks of spruce trees with branches. They contacted each other with a bast. The tray had a more interesting design. This harrow consisted of a linden board. The branches inserted into it played the role of teeth.
Harrow classification
According to the device of working components, they are divided into tooth, spring, disk. There are light, medium, heavy.
High-quality agricultural work is carried out by using three main mechanical methods: cutting, crushing, mixing. It is necessary to dwell on each type of harrow in more detail, voicing some recommendations for their use.
Tooth
The working elements (teeth) have a different shape, characterized by a cross section. Knife-shaped and flat harrows are considered the most optimal. The main principle of the tool’s work is that the sharp edge of the tooth cuts the soil, its side face crushes and mixes the ground. Therefore, the shape of the part is important. Rectangular, square and round elements, loosening the soil, strongly crush it. For knife-shaped and flat teeth, this is not observed. They cut like a wedge, cracking the soil well.
It is worth paying attention to the inclination of the tooth. In a vertical setting, the working elements drive particles of earth in front of them, roots that did not have enough effort to pull out. As a result, the teeth are simply clogged, stopping the work, since they need to be cleaned.
In a situation with an inclined setting of the soil, the roots will be pulled to the surface without clogging the device.
In modern agriculture in developed countries, the harrow is a highly technological tool. On the one hand, a special tooth shape with an inclined setting has been developed. At the same time, special levers allow you to adjust the angle of inclination, adapting to the nature of the cultivated soil.
Mesh
It consists of two main elements: a frame and a mesh web. The links of the canvas are round steel bars with blunt ends. This type of harrow is used for heavy soil (quicksand, clay). It is convenient when applying the first seedlings of crops with a height of up to 25 cm. It makes it possible to cultivate the soil in heavy rains or drought. It stores moisture reserves well and promotes water balance.
Disk
It is divided into heavy and light. The working body is a spherical disk. In light harrows, it has a regular circle shape. Heavy ones have circumferential cutouts. Several discs are mounted on a square axis, thereby forming a battery. These batteries are fixed on the frame in two rows at an angle to the direction of travel. Angle adjustment allows you to dive into the soil at various depths. In some cases, ballast in the form of boxes is used to increase the depth. Another way to immerse yourself in the soil is to increase the compression of the compression springs.
Harrow is a necessary equipment in agricultural work. Her thoughtful choice from leading manufacturers will not only reduce losses, save time, but also get a good harvest.