What is a Rotary Tiller, and How Does it Work?
A rotary tiller, also known as a rotavator, a power tiller, or a rotary hoe, is a tractor-driven rotary tillage machine that uses a series of blades or tines to plow the land by cutting, pulverizing, mixing, and leveling the soil. The rotary tiller is attached to the tractor’s three-point hitch and powered by the tractor’s PTO shaft. The rotary tiller has a gearbox that transfers the power from the PTO shaft to the rotor shaft, which rotates the blades or tines. The blades or tines are arranged in flanges along the rotor shaft, and can have different shapes and sizes depending on the soil conditions and the desired result. The depth of the tillage can be adjusted by using skid shoes or a rear roller.
The rotary tiller works by moving forward along with the tractor, while the blades or tines dig into the soil and turn it over. The rotary motion of the blades or tines creates a fine and uniform soil texture, suitable for planting seeds or transplants. The rotary tiller can also mix organic matter and fertilizers into the soil, as well as bury weeds and crop residues. The rotary tiller can create a smooth and level surface by breaking up clods and filling in low spots.