Adjustment and Operation of the Rotary Tiller

　　A rotary tiller is a cultivation machine that works in tandem with a tractor to perform plowing and harrowing operations. Thanks to its strong soil‑breaking capability and the resulting smooth, level field surface, it has found widespread use. It can also chop up stubble buried beneath the soil surface, facilitating seed‑drilling operations and creating an optimal seedbed for subsequent sowing. Rotary tillers are classified into two types—horizontal‑shaft and vertical‑shaft—based on the arrangement of their rotary blades. Proper operation and adjustment of the tiller are essential for maintaining its optimal technical condition and ensuring high‑quality tillage.

　　Machine usage

　　1. When starting operation, raise the rotary tiller to its highest position, engage the power take‑off first to bring the cutter shaft up to its rated speed, and then lower the tiller so that the blades gradually penetrate the soil to the desired depth. It is strictly prohibited to engage the power take‑off or rapidly lower the tiller after the blades have entered the soil, as this may cause the blades to bend or break and increase the load on the tractor.

　　2. During operation, maintain a low speed and proceed slowly; this ensures work quality by finely breaking up soil clods while also reducing wear on machine components. Pay close attention to any unusual noises or metallic knocking sounds from the rotary tiller, and monitor soil‑breaking performance and tillage depth. If any abnormalities are detected, stop the machine immediately for inspection and only resume operation after resolving the issue.

　　3. When turning at the field edge, operations must be halted; raise the rotary tiller so that the blades are clear of the ground and reduce the tractor’s throttle to prevent blade damage. When lifting the rotary tiller, ensure that the universal joint operates at an angle of less than 30 degrees; excessive angles can generate impact noise, leading to premature wear or damage.

　　4. When reversing, crossing field ridges, or moving between fields, raise the rotary tiller to its highest position and disengage the power to prevent damage to the equipment. If relocating over a long distance, secure the rotary tiller with the locking device.

　　5. After each shift, the rotary tiller should be maintained. Remove soil and weeds from the blades, inspect the tightness of all fasteners, lubricate all grease points, and apply grease to the universal joints to prevent excessive wear.

　　Mechanical adjustment

　　1. Horizontal left–right adjustment: Park the tractor equipped with the rotary tiller on a level surface, lower the tiller so that the blades are 5 cm above the ground, and check whether the heights of the left and right blade tips from the ground are equal, ensuring that the cutter shaft remains horizontally aligned during operation and that the tillage depth is uniform.

　　2. Front-to-back horizontal adjustment. With the rotary tiller lowered to the desired working depth, check whether the universal joint angle and the tiller’s main shaft are nearly horizontal. If the universal joint angle is too large, adjust the upper drawbar to bring the tiller into a level position.

　　3. Height‑adjustment procedure: During rotary tillage, the universal joint angle must not exceed 10°, and when turning at the headland, it must not exceed 30°. Therefore, for rotary tillers equipped with a position‑adjustment mechanism, use the adjustment screw to set the limit at an appropriate location on the handle; for those with height‑adjustment capability, exercise particular caution during lifting—should further elevation be required, disconnect the power supply to the universal joint.