Soil preparation is a fundamental operation that is always performed in Canadian landscaping applications, agricultural production, and construction projects. Tilling is necessary for garden beds for planting. Drained ground will require loosening. These tasks can be done efficiently using a skid steer rotary tiller which attaches to existing compact equipment. This attachment is used in rural properties and urban development sites for site rehabilitation and vegetation management, but does not need to be stored in an isolated location on dedicated tractors.
Soil characteristics range from clay in Ontario to sandy loam in British Columbia. Tillage depth and direction adjustment capabilities enable tillage to be optimized for local soil types and conditions.
Use of common applications and methods of tilling.
Skid steer rotary tillers are typically applied in garden bed preparation, for creating a seedbed for grass sodding, removal of vegetation in firebreak areas, soil aeration to improve soil drainage, and addition to compost for soil amendment.
Bi-directional rotation allows the operator to choose forwards or backwards rotor rotation. Forward rotation is effective with loose soils and established vegetation. Rotation in reverse will break up compacted clay and hardpan. Hydraulic direct drive without belts to maintain. Carbide cutting teeth are used in rocky or sandy materials, and are resistant to wear.
Soil Health and Operational Productivity
Tilling loosens soil layers that are compacted and will reduce root growth and water infiltration. When ground is compacted, the rain does not penetrate and runs over causing erosion. Tilling of soil absorbs moisture better which decreases the amount of irrigation needed. Regular tilling, as used in sports fields and golf courses, helps to keep turf in good condition by preventing thatch buildup.
The more one attachment can be used for more than one site preparation need, the more productive it will be. Owners of skid steers can switch from tilling to grading to leveling without the need of changing machines. The working width of 72” allows for efficient ground coverage, which minimizes the number of passes and fuel consumption.
This is the section of the book that first catches the eye when you open it.This is the part of the book you first notice when you open it.
The rotary tiller uses hydraulic flow from the skid steer to a motor to power the rotor. The machine moves ahead and the carbide teeth mounted on the rotor cut and pulverize soil. Skid shoes help regulate tillage depth and avoid contact with rocks or hard surfaces by the rotor.
The hydraulic flow rate from the skid steer, soil moisture content at the time of tilling, presence of roots or rocks, rotor speed and ground speed during passes all have an impact on tilling performance. Operators need to adjust ground speed to adjust to soil resistance. If tilling is done too quickly on hard ground, the finish will not be smooth, as the rotor will bounce. It is better to make multiple passes at different depths than a single deep pass.
Safety Guidelines and Maintenance Practices.Safety Guidelines and Maintenance Practices.
A few precautions are necessary to make safe use of a rotary tiller: Be sure to remove rocks and wire from the area before tilling, stay 50 feet away from rock and wire when using the tiller, lower the tiller to the ground when parked, do not reverse the rotor until it has been brought to a stop, and wear hearing protection in the cab.
Carbide teeth are inspected for wear after every 10 hours of use. Worn teeth decrease tilling efficiency and fuel consumption. Add grease to rotor bearings every 20 hours. Inspect hydraulic hoses for wear every week. Replace bolts on the mounting plate every month. After every use, remove debris from rotor housing to avoid rust and binding.
Advantages and Limitations
The pros of skid steer rotary tillers are:
- Working width: 72 inch
- Bi-directional rotor rotation
- Universal skid steer mount
- Teeth that are made up of carbide tips.
- Hydraulic direct drive
- Adjustable tilling depth
Limitations to consider:
- Needs sufficient hydraulic flow from the host machine
- Not recommended for use on bedrock or heavy rock.
- The teeth are worn and tend to wear out quickly in sandy soil.
- Heavy attachment will decrease machine lift capacity.
- An annual bearing inspection was required.
Real-World Application Example
A Canadian landscaping company in Alberta was caring for the sports fields for a municipal parks department. Grass was impacted by frequent heavy foot traffic and compaction. They added a rotary tiller to their current skid steer. Deep aeration (6″ deep) was possible by bi-directional rotation to create reverse tilling. Two acres per hour were being restored by one operator using field drainage. In the case of carbide teeth, the life span was forty hours before replacement. The tiller also dug up beds for flower planting in the municipality.
Conclusions and Future Prospects
Compact equipment owners can undertake soil preparation jobs without buying specific tractors with skid steer rotary tillers. Bi-directional rotation gives flexibility to various soil and environmental conditions. The need for efficient tilling attachments will continue to increase as more and more Canadian landscape projects require onsite soil remediation. There are plans for future designs that will feature hydraulic depth control from the cab and automatic tooth wear indicators.
For any skid steer used on a regular basis for landscaping or site preparation, managers should consider rotary tillers for their facility. This attachment is bi-directional and can be used in a variety of soil preparation applications in Canada thanks to its 72″ width.