Manual potato hiller
The potatoes have good taste that have made them popular in cooking. Growing consists of planting, nursing and harvesting. A manual plow for hilling potatoes is used in small areas where it is irrational to use large equipment.
Manual potato plow
The purpose of hilling
Hilling of potatoes is performed for:
- loosening the soil;
- increasing the access of water and moisture to the roots;
- accelerating the formation of tubers;
- increase in yield.
Hilling during planting increases yields by 25%. The procedure is useful only in regions with high humidity to remove stagnant liquid. Planting in dry climates does not require an operation.
The classic way of hilling potatoes is using hoes, hoes or rakes. It does not require financial investments, but it takes a lot of time and effort. A hand plow is used to speed up the process.
Using a manual hiller
Advantages of the hand-held hiller:
- collapsible design;
- compact size;
- ease of use and maintenance;
- maneuverability and versatility;
- the ability to process the site for one person;
- low cost.
The use of hand tools is effective only in small areas where it is not possible to use light and heavy agricultural machinery. In large areas, the tool gives low productivity and requires a lot of effort.
There are 2 types of manual hillers:
- working tool in the form of a paw;
- disk.
Hiller is easy to use
The classic hiller has a V-shaped working share. It is attached to a metal frame with wheels. A stand with a handle is provided for control. It allows you to adjust the direction of travel and the working depth. There are also adjustment holes at different heights from the ground, into which the tool is attached.
Disc hiller
Manual disc plow for hilling potatoes (plow) consists of:
- T-shaped frame;
- 2 screw lanyards to adjust the movement of the discs;
- racks;
- disk blade.
When planting potatoes, the hand disc plow is used for tending potatoes and for post-harvest processing. To adjust the working width, measure the distance between the rows.
Manual disc plows are also mounted on a frame with a moving part for easy movement. The optimum wheel diameter is 65 cm and the width is 15 cm.The working width of disc plows is from 5 to 25 cm.
Work rules
When hilling potatoes with a manual hiller, the following rules are followed:
- Regularity of the event. Potatoes are required to huddle 2 times a season. The first procedure is carried out a month after planting, when the first shoots appeared. The second is carried out when the height of the plant reaches 18-20 cm. If the flowers have opened, hilling is late.
- Timing. Potatoes are processed in cloudy weather. Early morning or evening is also fine. For the best effect, they wait until it rains, hilling is carried out after it.
- Avoiding heat. Sunlight will damage plants.
Self-assembly of a manual hiller
To make a hand plow you will need:
- 1 m inch metal pipe;
- thin tube for traction;
- steel plates with a thickness of 2-2.5 mm;
- blowtorch;
- welding machine;
- grinder with a disc for metal;
- lanyard.
A self-made plow will come out several times cheaper than a purchased one. Correct manufacturing requires accurate measurements. Height is based on the height of the person who will be working with the plow. The width of the device is 40-50 cm.
The body is prepared from metal pipes. The thick one serves as the base of the body, and the thin one connects all the segments. No need to take heavy pieces of metal: it is difficult to work with a massive tool.
The working plow is made of steel plates with pointed edges. Also, a disc hiller is made by replacing the paw with metal circles. It additionally requires a mounting bracket and a cam mechanism. Lids from old pots are taken as the basis of the working body.
Conclusion
Hilling potatoes is an important care step. For successful cultivation of crops, aisles are weeded and pests are destroyed: weeds spread infections and make it difficult to feed the plants.
Hand plows are also used for cutting the harrow when planting. They are converted into a card digger or weeding machine.