Been thinking that your backyard needs to be brought back to life? Well if you’re serious about it then you need to give your plants the best possible chance to thrive by ensuring the soil is suitable – that’s where a rotary hoe comes in. If used correctly, a rotary hoe will give your soil the kickstart it needs.
What is a Rotary Hoe?
A rotary hoe is a machine used for the explicit purpose of loosening and overturning hard, compacted soil and clay. Over time, soil naturally compacts due to factors such as weather, weed growth and trodding on the soil. This makes it harder for plants or new turf to grow and flourish because dense soil causes plants’ roots to struggle for oxygen and moisture.
This job can be done manually, but using a rotary hoe will save you hours of your time, and your back, as overturning a large area of soil the proper way can be quite labour intensive.
Also known as a cultivator, most rotary hoe’s come with a 4-stroke petrol motor which powers a set of rotating steel tines. These tines are moved with hydraulic cylinders that overturn the soil from a depth of about 20cm while the machine drives itself forward at a steady pace. In short, they are easy to use and effective device that is a must-have for crop cultivation.
Should I Use a Rotary Hoe or a Rotary Tiller?
Often, rotary hoes are mistaken for a device called a rotary tiller. While they do look similar, knowing how their purposes differ could save you a lot of time and money.
Rotary hoes have slightly angled blades designed to cut into the hard, compacted ground. Rotary tillers, on the other hand, have right-angled blades which merely overturn soft, sandy soils. Depending on how hard your soil is will determine which machine is right for you. However, if you’re unsure, it would be wise to go with the rotary hoe as this will guarantee your soil will be suitable for new plants or turf to flourish.
How to Use a Rotary Hoe
Before using this self-driving machine, make sure you are wearing the appropriate safety gear – ear muffs, protective sunglasses, gloves and enclosed shoes.
When using a rotary hoe, it’s important to note that the tines are located at the back of the device near your feet. To ensure your feet will be safe from the rotating tines, double-check that the flap guard in front of the tines is down before starting the machine.
Above the flap guard is a height adjustment tool which will decide how deep the machine cuts into your soil. Another height adjustment tool is located at the base of the handle which will enable you to adjust the height of your handle.
After you’ve adjusted all this to your preference, you’re ready to start the rotary hoe,
just follow these easy steps;
- Turn on the primary ignition switch
- Turn on the secondary ignition switch
- For cold starts, turn on the fuel and the choke. Then, ensure the throttle is in ‘full-throttle’ position
- Pull the pull-cord to fire up the engine
- Once the engine is running, set your tines leaver and your drive wheels to whichever setting you require
- To make the unit move, lift up the clutch handle (the unit will immediately stop moving if you let go of this clutch)
To easily move the machine around your yard, or when reversing it, disengage the tines as it is the safest and easiest way to do so. To move the machine without turning it on, pull a pin out located in one of the wheels.
Using a rotary hoe is quite easy if you follow these steps carefully. If you ever need advice on how to use a rotary hoe, don’t hesitate to contact Mini Digger WA on 08 6162 1213.
Why Choose Mini Digger?
Mini Digger WA offers quality rotary hoe hire at an affordable cost. We are experts on the Western Australian landscape and have years of knowledge to help you make the right choice on what products you need, for whatever job you need doing.
For more information or to arrange a quote for rotary hoe hire, contact us today on info@minidiggerwa.com.au, give us a call on 08 6162 1213 or visit our contact page.
