Modern plows

The oldest agricultural implement is the plow. Farmers have used it for many centuries. The plow has undergone many changes since the time of its invention. Modern plows are either pulled behind a tractor or mounted on a tractor.

The mounted type is called an integral plow because the tool and the power source are used as one unit. It has become the most efficient machine, providing a very level finish¹. It penetrates deeply and loosens the soil preparing seedbeds. At the same time² the soil is pulverized and aerated.

A plow mounted at the rear is attached to the drawbar by means of the 3-point linkage. The hydraulic mechanism provides the power for carrying, lifting or lowering the plow and controlling the plow penetration automatically.

The typical plow consists of a frame attached to the tractor, and main parts, working on soil. These are a coulter, a share, a mould board and a landside. The coulter is carried by the frame. It makes vertical cuts, separating the furrow slice from the unplowed land. The share is fitted on the frame. It makes horizontal cuts, separating the furrow slice from the soil. The mould board, which turns the furrow slice, is bolted to the frog above the share. The landside is attached to the frame opposite the mould board. It is a metal piece, absorbing the side thrush³.

NOTES

¹a level finish - гладкая поверхность

²at the same time - в то же время

³a side thrush - боковая реакция почвы

Active Vocabulary to Text в

century - век	landside - полевая доска
undergo - претерпевать	vertical - вертикальный
integral - интегральный	bolt - крепить болтом
tool - орудие, инструмент	frog - стойка, лягушка
power source - источник энергии	above - над
coulter - нож	absorb - поглощать
share - лемех

Exercises

1. Choose the right variant.

1. An agricultural implement for cutting and turning the soil is called...(a tractor, a combine, a plow).

2. The cutting part of the machine is called...(a coulter, a mould board, a landside).

3. The plow frame is attached to the ...(3-point linkage, drawbar, axle).

4. The share, the mould board and the coulter are bolted to the...(frame, frog, shaft).

5. The mould board...(to turn, to cut, to penetrate) the soil.

6. Secondary tillage equipment includes different...(tractors, plows, cultivators).

7. The subsoil plow...(to loosen, to aerate, to penetrate) the soil in the bottom of the furrow.

8. Disk plows are best implements for...(light, hard, waxy) soils.

2. Agree or disagree.

1. The oldest agricultural implement is the combine.

2. Modern plow is the same as it was many centuries ago.

3. Plows penetrate into the soil, and loosen and pulverize it.

4. The plow consists of a frame, a PTO-shaft, a share and a mould board.

5. The plow is attached to the drawbar by means of the 3-point linkage.

6. The driver lifts and lowers the plow automatically.

3. Answer the questions:

1. What is the function of a coulter?

2. How does a share operate?

3. What device turns the furrow slice?

4. What is the function of a metal piece, called a landside?

4. What words will you need to describe the main parts of modern plows and their work? Use them in your description.

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