Spader/Research Development

Research

 * Spader Function - is to till the soil in preparation of the next planting process, seeding.


 * Tilling - consists of agitating the soil through means such as digging, stirring, and overturning. Tilling aids in soil aeration, organic matter dispersal, and weed removal.


 * Soil Aeration - refers to the spacing out of soil as to make the soil less compacted. Soil aeration improves drainage and reduces puddle formation.


 * Organic Matter Dispersal - refers to the spreading of plant material throughout the soil as to improve the uniformity of nutrient concentration within a given volume of soil.

Relevant Links
Spader Real-time Performance Video

Conceptual Notes

 * Front - includes the towing mechanism that allows the spader to be pulled by a tractor.


 * Middle - includes the frame, covers, and rotors of the spader.


 * Top - includes the hydraulic circuit of the spader.

Overview

 * Spading System - consists of rotors, spades, and tines that make actual contact with the soil.


 * Hydraulic System - consists of the hydraulic components that power the rotation of the rotors in the spading system.


 * Structural System - consists of the chassis and the cover used to strengthen and protect the spader, respectively; the cover also contains the movement of overturned soil.

Spades

 * Spade Rotor - consists of the metal axle to which the spades are joined. Each end of the spade rotor is joined to the spade rotor mount that directly couples to the spade hydraulic motor.


 * Spade Rotor Mount- is the square metal plate that joins to the ends of the spade rotor and directly couples to the spade hydraulic motor.


 * Spades - are the metal components that contact and till the soil; the spades dig and overturn the soil. The spades are joined to the spade rotor.



Tines

 * Tine Rotor - consists of the metal axle to which the tines are joined. Each end of the tine rotor is joined to the tine rotor mount that directly couples to the tine hydraulic motor.


 * Tine Rotor Mount - is the square metal plate that joins to the ends of the tine rotor and directly couples to the tine hydraulic motor.


 * Tines - are the metal components that contact and till the soil; the tines set the topsoil to a deeper level for faster decomposition of organic matter. The tines are joined to the tine rotor.



Hydraulic System

 * Flow Control Valve - controls the rotation speed of the spade hydraulic motor and tine hydraulic motor.


 * Spade Hydraulic Motor - transforms hydraulic power to kinetic power for rotating the spade rotor.


 * Tine Hydraulic Motor - transforms hydraulic power to kinetic power for rotating the tine rotor.

Chassis
- is comprised of the metal components that make a box-like frame for the spader, having twelve vertices hence twelve metal square tubes.


 * Front Vertical Tubes - are the two metal square tubes positioned vertically at the front of the spader.


 * Rear Vertical Tubes - are the two metal square tubes positioned vertically at the rear of the spader.


 * Bottom Left Right Horizontal Tubes - are the two metal square tubes positioned horizontally at the bottom left and right sides of the spader.


 * Bottom Front Rear Horizontal Tubes - are the two metal square tubes positioned horizontally at the bottom front and rear sides of the spader.


 * Top Horizontal Left Right Tubes - are the two metal square tubes positioned horizontally at the top left and right sides of the spader.


 * Top Horizontal Front Rear Tubes - are the two metal square tubes positioned horizontally at the top front and rear sides of the spader.

Cover
- consists of metal plates that joins to and covers a surface on the chassis.


 * Front Cover Plate - covers the front


 * Top Cover Plate - covers the top


 * Left Right Cover Plate - covers the left and right


 * Rear Cover Plate - covers the rear

Wheels

 * Wheel Mount - is the metal component that joins to the chassis and mounts the wheel.


 * Wheel - is the component that contacts and freely rotates on the ground and provides a clearance between the ground and the bottom of the chassis.

Towing Mechanism

 * Tow Pin and Jaw - is the mechanism used to attach the front of the spader to the rear of a tractor. The tow pin and jaw allows the spader to be pulled by another vehicle to facilitate the tilling process.

Manufacturers
Manufacturers
 * Bärtschi-FOBRO AG
 * Celli
 * Dröppelmann Agrartechnik GmbH
 * Falc
 * Gramegna
 * Imants
 * Selvatici
 * Sicma (Miglianico)
 * Tortella