Contents
If you do not want to spend extra time and effort on country work, then planting potatoes with a walk-behind tractor is suitable for you. This type of garden equipment is designed for fast and high-quality processing of large land plots. Among domestic manufacturers, mechanized devices Neva and Salyut are in demand. It is not difficult to manage such a unit, the main thing is to follow some rules. Below we will tell you how to plant potatoes with a walk-behind tractor and consider the main nuances associated with tillage.
The advantages of the hiller
The first thing to note is that all hillers were created in order to alleviate the lot of gardeners with large plots. The rest, more narrowly focused advantages, depend on the specific type of hiller, and there are 4 of them. The simplest is a hiller with an unregulated furrow width. This device is practically devoid of advantages, so most agronomists prefer other options. They are manufactured with standard parameters with a furrow grip radius of 20-30 centimeters.
Especially popular with gardeners are hillers with adjustable working width. Such hillers can be adjusted for themselves, taking into account the size of the plot, the variety of potatoes and other details. Adjustable hillers are characterized by high productivity, although there is a high energy consumption. The main advantage of the Dutch type hiller is that when processing rows and row spacing, the earth does not roll back into the hole. This significantly improves the quality of the fit.
Experienced agronomists recommend using disc hillers. They allow the worker not to exert much effort. In addition, they have the lowest energy consumption.
A disc hiller with a plow makes high ridges. Such a unit additionally crushes and fluffs the soil, so it is deservedly considered the standard. When buying units, check their compatibility with your walk-behind tractor. For example, an instrument intended for the Neva may not fully suit Salyut and vice versa.
Preplant preparation
Planting potatoes with a walk-behind tractor is carried out only after preliminary cultivation of the land. First you will need to plow the area, and then harrow it to saturate the soil with oxygen and fluff it. Plowing of the land is carried out using a special cutter or plow.
You can also harrow (grind the breasts) with a walk-behind tractor or with a hand rake, if the size of the site allows it. Some walk-behind tractors loosen the soil perfectly while plowing to a depth of 20 centimeters, so sometimes harrowing is not necessary. One of the most popular walk-behind tractors is the Neva. It can cultivate the field at 2 speeds. It is better to start processing from the edge of the site. Then plow 2 meters of earth, which are placed perpendicular to the furrows. In order for the entire garden to be plowed to the same depth, try to capture part of the already cultivated ridge with a plow.
Next, you need to outline the rows. One of the most important conditions for high-quality potato growth is free aisles. Row spacing should be an average of 60-70 centimeters. The numbers depend on the potato variety. When the holes are prepared, the planting of potatoes begins directly using a walk-behind tractor.
Video “Potato planting with the Neva walk-behind tractor”
Landing technique
There are two main planting methods – potato planter and hiller. Below we will tell you what is the fundamental difference between these two options and which method is better. Remember, no matter what unit you end up using, the distance between potato seeds in a row should be at least 20-30 centimeters, and the depth should be 10-15 centimeters.
If you are using a regular hiller, then it must be attached to the walk-behind tractor. In order for the potatoes to fit comfortably in the furrows, you will need to move the blades and thus increase the wing grip. When using the Neva walk-behind tractor, do not forget to remove the wings and the main stop from it. Planting potatoes with a salute walk-behind tractor does not require such manipulations. Grouser wheels must be attached to the walk-behind tractor.
The track width must be at least 60 centimeters. Potato tubers are laid out in prepared furrows at the same distance from each other. After that, ordinary rubber wheels must be put on the Neva or Salyut walk-behind tractor, but the track width parameters remain the same. The gap between the wings is left maximum and the row is backfilled with fresh earth.
If you have large areas of land at your disposal, then it will be more convenient and profitable to plant potatoes using a mounted potato planter. This unit consists of a furrower, a conveyor and a potato distributor and a disk hiller. Thus, in one pass along the row, you can plant and cover the potatoes with earth.
In addition, in summer practice, the method of planting a walk-behind tractor under a plow is used. To do this, lugs are put on the unit and the plow is hooked. Then, with its help, mark the first furrow. At the same time, potato tubers must be immediately thrown in a row, because at the end the walk-behind tractor with a plow turns around and makes a new furrow with one edge and fills the planted seeds with this earth.
Video “How to use a walk-behind tractor”
How to use a walk-behind tractor when planting potatoes of various varieties and in various conditions – you will learn from the video.
