Hilling Potatoes With A Walk-behind Tractor: How To Cover Potatoes With A Husqvarna TF-338, "Mole" Or "Salute" Walk-behind Tractor?

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09

An experienced gardener and summer resident understands perfectly well that if a large part of the plot is allocated for potatoes, which can reach more than one hectare, sooner or later the help of such an assistant as a walk-behind tractor will be needed. Despite the fact that this device is quite simple to use, it is still recommended that you familiarize yourself with some of the nuances of its use and the very technology of hilling potatoes.

Pros and cons of technique

The growing season for potatoes is one of the most important. It was at this time that the vegetable culture requires increased attention of the gardener. The need for timely processing implies that hilling will be carried out in a short period of time. Otherwise, the potatoes may not take root and die.

After all, the hilling process not only helps to protect the vegetable from various infectious diseases and temperature extremes, but also from the harmful effects of the weed, which will be removed in time. The summer resident will be able to cope with this laborious task by purchasing a walk-behind tractor.

Let's consider the main advantages of this device

• The time spent on processing the potato area will be significantly reduced.
• With the purchase of a walk-behind tractor, the productivity of the gardener increases several times when compared with manual processing.
• With the help of a walk-behind tractor, you can create a fairly deep furrow, which will not allow the potato stalks to fall over. It is no secret that in this way you can favorably influence the yield of this vegetable crop.
• Hilling with a walk-behind tractor allows you to create a very loose soil structure, which contributes to increased air ventilation (air exchange). In other words, the roots of the potato are saturated with air and begin to grow faster.
• Hilling allows you to maintain the required temperature regime of the soil for the comfortable growth of the plant.

Despite all the advantages of this extremely useful garden assistant, the walk-behind tractor has one significant drawback - its cost.

There is always an option to find a cheaper device or even buy it hand-held. However, there is a kind of risk involved. Since any walk-behind tractor has its own operational life, buying a walk-behind tractor from your hands is a kind of roulette game. And due to the fact that quite expensive parts are required for the manufacture of one walk-behind tractor, a high-quality unit simply cannot be cheap.

Low cost should alert those who are going to purchase equipment.

It should be noted that the opinion of agronomists about the effectiveness of using the walk-behind tractor when hilling potatoes differ. The fact is that some experts argue that processing potatoes in this way makes sense only in warm regions.

In areas with a predominantly cold climate, hilling with a walk-behind tractor can harm the state of the vegetable crop. The solution to this problem is to plant potatoes "under straw".

This planting method initially requires less plant maintenance from the gardener. And procedures such as hilling, weeding and watering are minimized.

Selection recommendations

Every gardener, having made a purchase decision, must take into account several nuances. Relying on them, you can purchase a really high-quality device that is suitable specifically for the specific features of the site.

The level of soil density on the surface of the potato plot … If the soil of the garden is loamy, that is, it contains a small amount of clay and quite a lot of sand, then it is strongly recommended to give preference to powerful heavy aggregates.

A weak walk-behind tractor is unlikely to be able to cope with earthen lumps.

• A powerful walk-behind tractor will be needed by owners of large potato plots … The fact is that the operational life of the walk-behind tractor partly depends on the amount of horsepower. For example, if you use a weak walk-behind tractor, the power of which barely reaches three and a half horsepower, on a site with an area of 1-5 hectares, the device will not work even for three months. The best option for such a large garden area would be a walk-behind tractor, the power of which will be equal to 9-10 horsepower.
• Labor productivity is also influenced by such a factor as the width of the soil .… The choice of a walk-behind tractor in this case is determined by the area of the site on which the potatoes are planted. The standard width of the walk-behind tractor of 60 centimeters is perfect for areas not exceeding 15-20 acres.

For a larger area (1-5 hectares), it is recommended to purchase a device with a working width of 100 centimeters.

How to use a walk-behind tractor?

As mentioned earlier, the walk-behind tractor is not as difficult to control as it might seem at first glance. Before starting the device, it is imperative to check the engine oil level. Otherwise, the unit can be damaged without even starting to use it. In turn, you will regularly need to fill the walk-behind tractor with gasoline. Moreover, the liquid must be of good quality. It is desirable that the gasoline is of the same brand as the engine ..

As a preventive measure, it is recommended to regularly check the clutch cables, handlebar and transport wheel.

Only after all the above manipulations have been performed, you can start launching this device. When starting the walk-behind tractor for the first time, it is strongly recommended to do this, coordinating your actions with the instructions.

Despite the fact that the principle of operation of walk-behind tractors is quite similar, some differences in operation may still be present.

There are two types - disc and plow walk-behind tractor. On the disc hiller, the position of the discs can be adjusted using the stands. Thus, the ground coverage can vary from 30 to 70 centimeters.

To carry out high-quality hilling, you must first take care of purchasing wheels of the correct diameter. This will allow the processing of potatoes to be carried out without harming them.

The device is installed in the furrows, so that the potato row is at the ground of the hooks. Having started the walk-behind tractor, it remains only to make hilling, driving the device exactly along the furrows. For additional loosening of the soil, it is recommended to tighten the discs and install a rotating roller.

When working with a walk-behind tractor, it will take some time to set up the plow. Its optimal position is in the middle between two rows of potatoes .… After setting it is necessary to deepen the plow into the soil so that it is at the required depth. Then set the axis of the walk-behind tractor vertically to the ground surface. This will allow you to carefully sprinkle the potato stalks with loose soil.

Popular models of motoblocks

The Russian-made motoblock, bearing the name "Salute", managed to gain love and popularity among gardeners and summer residents of our country. It is multifunctional and can run on a gasoline engine of almost any manufacturer. It not only makes the hilling process convenient and comfortable, but also has a long service life.

In addition to hilling potatoes, this device can also be used for cleaning snow, grass and transporting heavy loads. High-quality hilling of potatoes unit "Salute " depends on the depth of installation of the plow in the ground. The deeper the plow is, the better the potatoes will be spud.

When working with hard and clay soil, it is recommended to process the site in several stages.

The second most popular walk-behind tractor in Russia is Husqvarna model TF-338 … This device is reliable, maneuverable and easy to transport. Easy operation due to mechanical transmission, two gears (forward and reverse) and gearbox.

This device allows you to install up to four pairs of blades, the gardener has the ability to adjust the width of the soil. Thanks to the reverse gear, the walk-behind tractor can perform hilling even in extremely narrow areas. This model provides for the installation of additional elements, such as a hiller and a baking powder.

Hilling with this device can be carried out already several days after the germination of potato stalks. Thanks to its maneuverability, the sprouts will remain safe and sound.

The gardener is required to make the correct adjustment of the depth of the disc hiller and its angle of inclination.

After that, the device is located in the middle of two rows, the potatoes are hilled at a minimum speed. When the walk-behind tractor is at the end of the potato row, the device is deployed using the reverse gear and the processing of the beds continues.

A budget option that went on sale back in the 80s - walk-behind tractor "Mole " … The modern model is equipped with a four-stroke engine and steering wheel. The "Mole" walk-behind tractor spuds the fertile layer with the help of specially installed cutters. Each such element contains sharp blades and knives. When hilling, the wheels on which the support falls slightly rise.

While the plow measures the required depth for the cutters to enter the ground. The process of hilling potatoes is due to the rotational movements of the blades and knives. The standard equipment is equipped with external and internal cutters.