EXERCISE 4 CULTIVATOR

Structure
4.0 Objective
4.1 Introduction
4.2 .Theory
4.2.1 Classification of Cultivators

4.3 Experiment
4.3.1 Requirements
4.3.2 Procedure
4.4 Precautions
4.5 Check Your Progress
4.6 Assignment

4.0 OBJECTIVE
After completing this practical exercise, you should be able to:

• get acquainted with different types of cultivators, their construction and

working principle.

4.1 INTRODUCTION
The tillage operation performed after the seed plantation or the emergence of
seedling is known as cultivation. The primary objectives of cultivation are to
control weeds, prevent surface evaporation losses, maintain the seed bed in a
good tilth for proper growth of the crop and achieve rapid infiltration of rainfall
and adequate aeration. Cultivators are basically the type of tillage implements
used after seedling emergence. However, these implements are also used for
primary/secondary tillage depending upon the soil conditions and also for sowing
of seed when provided with a seeding attachment.

4.2 THEORY
4.2.1 Classification of Cultivators
According to the type of soil cutting part, the cultivators are classified into disk
cultivators, surface cultivators and shovel cultivators. Depending on the source
of power used, cultivators are classified into hand operated, animal drawn and
tractor drawn types.

Disk cultivators: These cultivators consisting of only two gangs with 3-5 disks
on each gang are suitable for crops grown on ridges and infested with weeds.
The disks can be adjusted so as to throw soil on either side of the plant or on to
the plant. These types of cultivators ¥e rarely used in India.

Surface cultivators: These very rarely used cultivators are meant primarily for
weeding in row crops and loosening of the surface soil only.
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to a shovel. There are different types of shovels used according to the soil condition
and requirement (Fig. 4.1).

o
Straight shovel Hoop shovel
o
Reversible shovel Sweep

Half sweep Mould board tiller

Furrower

Fig. 4.1: Different types of shovels used in cultivators

Hand cultivator: These are small cultivators provided with small cultivator
teeth or rake teeth as soil cutting tool. The implement is supported on one or two
wheels and two handles are provided for the operator. The cultivator is pushed
forward by one person and the depth of operation is 4 to 5 cm only.

Animal drawn cultivators: The animal drawn cultivators are usually provided
with 3 to 5 tynes bolted to an iron frame. The frame is provided with a number of
. holes and the spacing between the tynes can be changed by shifting the tynes on
the frame sidewise. Some of the animal drawn cultivators are also provided with
seeding attachment and used for sowing of cereal crops. The cultivator is attached
to the animal yoke by means of either a beam or hook provided in the cultivator.
Sometimes, a wheel is also provided at the front to give better stability and help
for transport.

Tractor drawn cultivators: The tractor drawn cultivators are either mounted at
the front or rear of tractor. The tractor rear mounted type is most widely used in
India. There are various types of tractor drawn cultivators like spring tyne
cultivator, rigid tyne cultivator, duck foot cultivator and bar point cultivator (Fig.
4.2).

a) Spring tyne cultivator: This type of cultivator is usually provided with 7,

9, 11, 13 or more tynes mounted on the frame of the machine. Each tyne is
provided with one shovel as the soil cutting tool. Each tyne in this cultivator
is provided with two heavy coil springs. When the tynes encounter any
obstruction like crop roots or stones during the field operation, the tyne lifts
up automatically due to the springs and overcomes the obstruction. These
type of cultivators are generally used in soils having stones and stumps and
are mounted at the rear of the tractor.

b) Rigid tyne cultivator: These type of cultivators usually of 7 to 11 tynes are

'similar to spring tyne cultivators except that its tynes are fixed to the frame
and do not deflect during the field operation.

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Rainfed Farming
cultivators except that instead of shovel bar point shares are provided at the
end of tynes. Bar points can be replaced on wearing or can be sharpened
after becoming blunt.

d) Duck foot cultivator: These cultivators also consist of a rectangular steel

frame with rigid tynes similar to rigid tyne cultivators except that instead of
shovels, sweeps are provided at the end of tynes for soil cutting. The sweeps
are triangular in shape similar to foot of duck and hence called duck foot
cultivators. These cultivators are popular in black cotton soils and mostly
used for shallow ploughing, weeding and retention of soil moisture.

(b)

Sweep

(c) (d)

Fig. 4.2: Types of tractor drawn cultivators: (a) spring tyne cultivator (b) rigid tyne
cultivator (c) bar point cultivator (d) duck foot cultivator

4.3 EXPERIMENT
4.3.1 Requirements
The following equipment/instruments are required:

• Different types of cultivators; and

• Tool box.

4.3.2 Procedure
• study the construction of different types of cultivators; and

• make a list of components for each type of cultivator and study their
function.

4.4 PRECAUTIONS
• Use proper dress with shoes. Do not wear loose clothes.

• Always keep safe distance from the machine and be cautious while working
with the machine to avoid any injury.

• Never ride on the machine while in operation.

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4.5 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
1) What are the objectives of cultivation?

2) Draw a neat sketch of different types of shovels used in cultivators and

name them.

3) Differentiate between spring tyne and rigid tyne cultivators.

4) Discuss the bar point cultivator and duck foot cultivator with their specific
application.

4.6 ASSIGNMENT
• Draw a neat sketch of a spring tyne cultivator and label its different parts.

• Find out the make and model of few commercially available cultivators in
India.

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