Soil conservation technology using a chisel plow

What is chisel tillage?

The word “chisel” refers to any trailed agricultural implement used for deep loosening of the soil without turning it over (turning over the soil). Therefore, the tool considered here could otherwise be called a subsoiler. The advantages of this processing include:

1. Improving water-air balance.
2. Reduced soil preparation time.
3. The ability to slow down the process of erosion and increase seed germination.

Its advantages include facilitating the work of the rural machine operator, who does not have to clean the plow with his own hands. With this processing method, even damp soil practically does not stick to its working surfaces.

Chisel plow

What are chisel plows used for?

The purpose of a chisel plow is determined by its versatility, that is, the ability to simultaneously perform the following useful operations while loosening the soil:

• cutting weeds;
• cutting turf and laying mineral fertilizers;
• stubble peeling and much more.

Using the T150 mechanism, for example, relatively “heavy” soils clogged with stones can be processed.

Another advantage of units of this class is that when they are used, a hard plow sole is not formed , which has a beneficial effect on the quality of row lands. Chisel tillage has one feature, according to which weed residues are not buried (as usually happens when plowing the soil), but are mixed with the main arable layer, turning into mulch. Thanks to this, the upper part of the soil is not exposed, and it retains moisture well. The considered advantages indicate that the chisel plow is a wonderful invention that significantly increases the efficiency of plowing.

Be sure to read: Shmel Crusher: device, drawings

Reviews of Almaz plows

The economic efficiency of the chisel plow, as can be seen from all of the above, is very high. The IFs loosen the soil efficiently and quickly, and working in the field with their use is not difficult. Therefore, farmers and machine operators have, of course, only good opinions about them.

As already mentioned, the most popular brand of chisel plows in our country is Almaz. Most machine operators consider them very reliable. At specialized forums, workers of agricultural enterprises even often note the fact that in terms of build quality, Almaz plows are absolutely in no way inferior to foreign-made inverters. This manufacturer is praised, among other things, for the relatively low cost of its products, as well as for its fairly wide range of models.

Chisel plow device

Evaluating this type of equipment, some experts believe that the chisel cultivator is a transitional form from traditional arable tools to deep rippers. This is confirmed by its design, consisting of the following parts:

1. Support frame with vertical posts.
2. Two couplings, the upper one is used for suspension on the tractor, and the second (lower) is for attaching the main working parts.
3. Track roller with wheel and rods.
4. Travel limiters and special racks with tips attached to them.

The plow frame is made in the form of a non-separable welded structure, ensuring rigidity and stability during operation. In the photo below you can see each of the described parts in more detail.

Chisel plow design

Design advantages

The swath width when using this tool can reach up to 12 meters. Such plows are equipped with spring-loaded struts. Therefore, when using this tool, vibrations are created, providing additional loosening of the soil. Since each chisel plow stand is mounted on shock absorbers, among other things, the possibility of equipment breakdown, for example, in the event of an accidental collision with an obstacle, is eliminated.

Most inverter models are complemented by a special toothed or tubular roller. These plow design elements are intended to break up large lumps remaining after plowing and to level the field surface. Do not cultivate the soil too deep with the roller - about 20 cm. If the plow is not initially equipped with it, it can be purchased separately.

Models of plows for deep plowing

Cheese products from the Rubtsovsk plant called “SVAROG” (they belong to the ALMAZ trademark) were highly appreciated by Russian machine operators. The models presented by this manufacturer are usually distinguished by their working width, which is reflected directly in their name. So, IF-2.5 has a width of 2.5 meters. The widest model has a width of 6 meters, which is reflected in its name (PCh-6). One of the most popular examples of this technology is PCHN-4.5 with a grip of 4.5 meters.

All working parts of the mechanisms are assembled, which makes it possible to selectively replace worn parts. In addition, they are equipped with high-quality paw tips and special blades from Industriehof (Germany). The mounted chisel plow for MTZ 82, in particular, is equipped with auxiliary devices that complete the processing process (they are called gear rollers).

The ALMAZ plow is distinguished not only by its durability, but also by the high productivity of all operations it performs. Despite their versatility, these products have a relatively low price, which is explained by the production of our own components at the plant. The productive six-meter plow is well aggregated with various models of tractors with a stated power of 450-480 hp. (eg John Deere 9520).

Be sure to read: Design of a piston compressor

You should also pay attention to the model of the subsoiler, which is used as a replacement for a plow and cultivates the soil to a depth of up to 60 cm. It is called “Dondi” and can carry out a number of operations, including grinding individual fractions of soil, as well as leveling the earthen surface.

Scope of use

PCH plows are used mainly in fallow fields (including on slopes) when cultivating grain crops. They can be used on any soil, except rocky, in all agroclimatic zones. It is also possible to plow using such a plow on soils subject to wind and water erosion.

In addition to grain fields, the chisel plow can be used for deep soil cultivation in orchards and vineyards (in the inter-row spaces). Also, this attachment is often used to rejuvenate meadows and pastures or to improve the drainage properties of the soil.

What tractors is it used with?

According to the manufacturers' recommendations, a chisel plow, which plows to a depth of up to 45 cm, can be mounted on equipment with a power of at least 150 l/s. Therefore, such models are most often used with tractors T-150, MTZ 1523, 1822, 2022, etc.

Of course, you can also use a chisel plow on less powerful equipment. MTZ 1221 “Belarus” (130 l/s), for example, copes with it very well. However, in this case, an inverter is mounted on the tractor, plowing to a depth of no more than 23-25 ​​cm with a working width of 2.4-2.6 m. Chisel plows can also be cushioned with HTZ-150K-09, VT-150D, New Holland TM 140 ", "John Deere 7730" and almost any other models of tractors with a capacity of 80 l/s or more, domestic or imported.

Advantages of use

When using a tool such as a chisel plow, you can get the following advantages:

• reduction in labor costs by an average of 17%;
• increase in yield up to 30%;
• reasonable cost.

Most often, a plow of this design is used for annual scheduled plowing using classical technology for cultivating agricultural crops. But it can also be used to combat soil compaction. In the latter case, cultivation of the land with this tool is carried out approximately once every 3-5 years or once per crop rotation. The annual use of this tool on neglected fields with highly compacted soil leads to a significant improvement in the quality of the latter. The soil becomes loose, moisture- and water-permeable after three years of using the IF.

The chisel plow can penetrate very deeply into the soil. Moreover, after its use, plant residues from the previous harvest remain on the surface. This ensures the formation of a large amount of humus. In addition, the straw blanket covering the field further prevents the soil from drying out and protects it from wind and solar erosion.

When using simple reversible plows, a compacted layer is formed in the soil at the border of the arable and subsurface layers, retaining water. This leads to the fact that even with a general moisture deficit, its runoff from the fields increases significantly. A cushion forms over several years under the weight of conventional plows. When using IF, since in this case the loosening occurs very deeply, this compaction is destroyed very quickly (in some types of soil it goes much deeper). This feature, of course, can also be attributed to the advantages of chisel plows.

Manufacturers

Most often, Russian farmers use domestically produced chisel plows, since they are cheaper than imported ones. In our country, many inverters are produced by Rostelmash, BDT-Agro LLC and others. However, the most popular are plows made. The products of this company are supplied to the market under the Almaz brand. The advantages of the inverter from this manufacturer include:

• strength and reliability of the structure;
• automatic cleaning of rollers during plowing;
• ease of repair, etc.

Sometimes, of course, imported chisel plows are also used on domestic fields. For example, Lemken brand implements have received very good reviews from farmers. The plows of this German manufacturer are distinguished by excellent build quality, high productivity and ease of use. But they, of course, cost more than domestic ones.

How to do it yourself

It is not difficult to make such a cultivator with your own hands. To do this, you need to have an accurate idea of ​​what such a device looks like, find a diagram and a detailed description of the device on the Internet or another source. It is also necessary to have skills in assembling agricultural equipment and working with metal.

First, you need to weld a frame of the required size from metal pipes that have sufficient rigidity. The parameters of this tool for tillage and agricultural work can be taken from the original unit. You also need to make sure that you can attach the resulting cultivator to a tractor.

Then you will need to make and install racks. In order for the plow to turn out no worse than the original one, it is necessary to supply spare parts to the chisel cultivator. These additional replacement parts are best purchased from a farm equipment store, but used parts can also be purchased.

It is best to adhere to the original scheme for creating a cultivator, and then the efforts will be justified, and the costs will be much less than the market value of the finished product.