Kootenay Local Agricultural Society, 1911 Irving Road, Castlegar, V1N 4N6, Tel: (250) 608 0334 Email: klasociety@shaw.ca
Rolling Marker
The rolling marker consists of a series of 7⅝ inch-diameter wheels mounted on a 3-foot-long
piece of 5/8-inch-diameter threaded rod. The wheels are cut from ½ inch plywood and
mounted on the threaded rod axle through their centered ⅝ inch diameter holes. Tightened
nuts on either side of the wheels prevent them from moving off their designated settings.
The number of wheels and their spacing is dependent on the width of your beds that
you need to mark, and of course the requirements of the crop.
The ability to lock two or more wheels in any position along the length of the axle
simply by tightening and loosening nuts is what makes this design so versatile. As
with the template row marker, the rolling marker must be calibrated for use on beds.
Use a permanent marker to locate and label wheel settings on the face of the axle
body
Consider using a wood preservative to extend the life of your rolling row marker
and minimize wheel warping. For extra protection, apply a coat of polyurethane, especially
to the wheels
When equipped with crosswires, the rolling row marker can be used to mark planting
locations in the rows. Mounting two crosswires opposite each other on the forward
edges of the wheels enables the rolling marker to crosscheck each row every 12 inches.
Mounting three wires, markes every 8 inches and six wires every four inches.
The straight pieces of No. 10 galvanized wire are attached to the wheels by means
of eye screws. "Opened" eye screws inserted into the outer surface of one of the
outside wheels are used to lock in the crosswires, which can be removed simply by
pushing the bent ends out from under the screws and sliding them free.
To ensure straight rows, keep the rolling marker centered on the bed. Try using the
bed borders as a visual guide. If the borders are straight, your rows will be straight.
