Text 2. Reversible ploughs

Ploughs which have two sets of bodies, one right-hand and one left-hand, are becoming increasingly common.

These are called reversible or "one-way", ploughs, the right-hand body being used in one direction. Various mechanisms are used to turn the bodies over. They may be automatic on raising the plough from the ground, mechanical and hydraulic, both the latter being under the control of the tractor driver.

Depth can be controlled by the tractor's hydraulic system in a manner similar to that for the conventional plough. Wheels are also used to control depth, either by two wheels, or by one wheel.

Pitch is controlled by the top link, as with conventional ploughs.

Lateral leveling: each pair of bodies has indepen­dent control on the plough and so each is adjusted separately.

Front furrow width: as with conventional ploughs, the reversible ploughs, when in work, will swing across until the thrust on the mouldboards is balanced by an equal and opposite thrust on the landside.

The front furrow width is controlled by altering the angle of the plough relative to the cross-shaft on which it is carried. The plough will then swing until a new equilibrium position is reached.

Text 3. Harrows

Cultivators, which only work to a depth of 6 inches, are called harrows. They consist of four or five rows of either rigid or spring tines mounted on a frame. The number of frames or sets pulled by a tractor will vary with the power of the tractor. Modern harrows are usually attached to the hydraulic lift of the tractor.

Harrows have many effects on the soil during the process of seedbed preparation. Primarily, they break end sort the clods. The fact that the tines on some harrows sink to the depth of the frame also results in a leveling action.

There is a wide range of design and size of harrow and the harrow chosen will vary with the particular task that has to be undertaken. Spike — toothed or zig-zag harrow.

This type of harrow is usually classified according to weight and the length of the tine. Heavy harrows are used in the early stages of seedbed preparation. Where a finer tilth is required, or for harrowing in after sowing, medium, and light harrows are used.

Dutch harrow. This harrow has recently become popular, because its heavy wooden frame gives a level finish to the seedbed, suitable for subsequent precision seeding and thinning.

Spring-tine harrow. This is a very effective tilth producer, as it holds well into the work and the vibrating action of the tine causes clods to shatter. The depth of work may be controlled by land wheel or in some cases by adjustment of the tines,

Weeders⁴⁾. These are в series of closely spaced spring tines for raking the surface, to remove annual weeds by vibrating action.

spike-toothed (zig-zag harrow) - зубовая борона, борона типа "зиг-заг" dutch harrow - гвоздевая борона

weeder - полольная борона

Text 4. Cultivators

The heaviest cultivators are used for breaking up ground, prior to ploughing. They consist of two rows of tines mounted on a strong frame and are known as rigid tine cultivators.

Each tine consists of a vertical leg, which is; carved at the bottom and to which is fitted a point or share.

Penetration is due to the weight of the frame, and partly to the pitch of the share, and often extra weights are added for very severe conditions. They require the largest tractors to pull them and can penetrate up to 24 in. When cultivating to this depth, it is possible to cause damage to the equipment through striking stones or tree roots.

Some cultivator tines are held in place by coil springs, and are able to pivot backwards against the springs on meeting an obstruction, and are returned by the springs to their normal position.

This is called a spring - loaded tine cultivator. The lighter cultivators often have spring tines. Many are available as part of toolbar equipment, and can be spaced to cultivate between rows of crops.

Various types of share are available, some of which are double-ended so that they can be reversed as one end wears out.

Strong narrow shares are used for deep cultivation, and broad shares for shallow work, or where land is weedy.

rigid tine cultivator - фрезерный культиватор с жесткими ножами.

Text 5. Fertilizer distributors

For successful crop production, the crop plants must have adequate plant foods available. These plant foods are often applied to the soil, and hence the crop, in the form of fertilizers by fertilizer distributors.

While various types and makes of fertilizer distributors exist, certain parts are common to all: a hopper to hold the fertilizer, an agitator to keep the fertilizer flawing, and finally a distributing mechanism. Fertilizer distributors are classified by the type of distributing mechanism employed. The most common of these mechanisms are plate and flicker. These consist of a series of slowly revolving dishes or plates, which carry a layer of fertilizer under an adjustable "gate" from the inside of the hopper to the outside, where it is flicked from the plate by a series of fingers on a rapidly rotating shaft. The rate of application is varied by raising or lowering the gate, hence altering the depth of fertilize on the plate.

fertilizer distributor - разбрасыватель удобрений, туковая сеялка

hopper - бункер

agitator - мешалка, ворошитель

plate - высевающий диск, разбросной диск

flicker – сбрасыватель