Classification and Characteristics of Rotary Tiller Blade Assemblies

　　The research and development of micro-tillers began in the 1970s, with significant growth taking place after the 1990s. The cutter assembly of micro-tillers builds on the design of rotary tiller cutters, enabling versatile use in both paddy fields and dryland farming, as well as in hilly and mountainous areas. Thanks to its broad adaptability, it has been widely adopted across large regions. It has effectively addressed cultivation challenges in hilly and mountainous terrain, becoming the mainstay for soil preparation in these areas. As the micro-tiller market continues to expand, the production of component parts has increasingly moved toward specialization. However, selecting the appropriate cutter assembly for a micro-tiller remains a difficult task, as there is currently no national standard to guide such choices; the market offers a wide variety of styles and specifications, often with inconsistent nomenclature. Below, Jiangsu Fujie Cutter Industry provides a brief overview of the classification and key features of micro-tiller cutter assemblies, in hopes of offering useful guidance.

　　Deep-Cultivation Knife Group:

　　The deep‑tilling knife assembly, also known as the deep‑tilling hoe, features chisel‑shaped blades mounted on a blade holder, which is welded to the assembly’s shaft sleeve. It is primarily used for deep loosening and land clearing in dryland areas with minimal weed cover.

　　Dryland plowshare group

　　The dryland tillage cutter assembly is available in various configurations—such as a three-blade, four‑unit type and a four-blade, four‑unit type—depending on the number of tilling blades mounted on each blade disc and the total number of discs. Its blades are right‑angled. Compared with the three‑blade, four‑unit configuration, the four‑blade, four‑unit assembly bears a heavier load. It is primarily used on dry, arid, sandy, or barren soils, as well as in greenhouse operations.

　　Wetland Saber Blade Set:

　　The wetland rotary tillage cutter assembly includes composite curved‑blade units, among others. Its blades are curved; based on the wetland curved blade, it is fitted with weeding blades, and depending on the number of curved blades per cutter disc, different configurations of composite curved blades are produced. The wetland curved‑blade assembly is primarily used for rotary tillage in wetlands with sparse weeds or in paddy fields where the soil has hardened around the stubble. The composite curved‑blade assembly is suitable for paddy fields with hardened soil around the stubble, as well as for soft‑soil wetlands, shallow waterlogged fields, and flooded paddy fields. In addition, the wetland curved‑blade assembly can also be employed for cultivating dryland soils that are loose and friable. However, it is recommended to select the appropriate cutter assembly according to soil conditions, which will both ensure high tillage quality and minimize wear and damage to the cutting tools.

　　The selection of a cutter assembly should be based on the power output of the accompanying tractor, as well as the desired working width and depth. Generally, the larger the cutter’s rotational diameter, the deeper the tillage depth, and the greater the power consumption; likewise, a wider cutter working width also results in higher power requirements. In addition, factors such as the torque capacity of the gearbox gears must be taken into account. Since there is currently no widely applicable theoretical framework for analyzing the forces acting on the cutter assembly, manufacturers of matching tractors typically rely on design experience or experimental studies to choose an appropriate cutter assembly.