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Koots Calendar |
This amazing primary tillage implement was pioneered on a walk-behind tractor by the Gravely® Company many years ago, but the front–PTO design of the Gravely tractors made operation of this tool dangerous. The Berta Franco Company of Italy has refined the design and made the plow applicable as a rear-PTO implement for all European walk-behind tractors.
Putting the rotary plow in the rear of the tractor improved the handling so much that, as the promotional video from the Italian manufacturer shows, it can actually be run with “NO HANDS!” (Don’t try this at home, kids. It only works in Italy, where there are fewer lawyers... We absolutely do not recommend this procedure! But it’s impressive.
Essentially the rotary plow has a vertical shaft with 4 spiral blades (plowshares) turning at approximately 300 rpm. Soil in front of the plow is cut into and then immediately centrifugally discharged to the side as it is inverted. Basically, in a single pass through sod, the plow will leave 10-12 inches of worked soil. And because the soil is not trapped under a hood and repeatedly pulverized (like with a tiller), the soil structure is not beat to death. Tilth of soil is similar to that which has been plowed and disked with a conventional tractor: good enough for large seeds and vegetable starts; may need secondary tillage on the top 2-3” for small seeds.
The plow works 8-10” wide per pass, but unlike a tiller, there is no such thing as a ‘second pass’ with a Rotary Plow, so it more than makes up for it’s narrow working width in the fact that it only has to go over the ground once.
The horizontal movement of the blades through the soil causes little or no hardpan and is actually less violent than a rototiller when hitting rocks, tree roots, etc.
Absolutely unbeatable for breaking new ground, and it has also been found excellent for turning in standing cover crop up to 4 feet tall. (A shear blade at the top of the rotor keeps material from “winding” around the shaft).
Exploiting the side discharge nature of this tool (which will throw soil up to 24 inches past the edge of the hood) is awesome (and amazingly flat-toped) raised beds, power ridging and hilling can be achieved. Makes a pretty darn good trencher, too.
Depth can be regulated by a gauge wheel (included) and discharge can be controlled by a removable side flap (included) and by adjusting the top cover height.
40” wide raised beds made in one afternoon with a Berta Rotary Plow
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Rotary plow set | |
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Mounting: |
On trailer |
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Power requirements: |
Gas |
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Other requirements: |
None |
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Suitability: |
Use for making raised beds, earthing up root crops, trenching. |
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Warning: |
Protective foot ware must be worn. |
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Maximum hire period: |
2 days |
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Hire charge: |
$ 50.00 / day |
Manuals may be downloaded by clicking on the images.