Spader

Overview

Spader

The spader is set of mechanical shovels that prepare soil for planting without causing a hardpan typical of rototiller tilling.

Detail

Spaders look like a really smart, 60 yr. old idea. They do not leave a "hardpan" due to the somewhat random action of the spades. Spaders are very expensive in north America as they are all made in Italy/Holland etc. (see links below). Inventing an open source spader would be a great achievment. They are a one pass type of implement, allowing easy working in of cover crops into the soil. Towing the spader behind LifeTrac would be easy as spaders are not a real load on the tractor/machine. All you need is slow hydrostatic drive, but we have that covered ;) .

Research

• The embedded video, showing a Celli spader with "shovels", is from a University of Vermont DVD (available here).

• Spader setup and operation - note 3rd pic down: it's the soil "pulverizer" after the spades. Spades dig first, "pulverizer" breaks up the clods and makes seed bed. Imants use a roller with curved tines instead. Does it all in one operation. Looks almost exactly like your tines on soil pulverizer.

• "Product Review: Spaders - These must-have machines help preserve soil structure". At the bottom of that page a reader suggests Imants spaders from Holland: "Imants produces a spader that achieves the same results based on a different mechanical approach". The Imants use circular "arms". They supposedly will leave a hardpan like a tiller (eventually). I'm sure they run smoother/longer though.

• Good spader video, shows the Imants final roller with tines. He discusses the mechanism up close.

• Another Imant in action.

Product Ecology

Uses

• Furnace - Steel
• Torch Table - Structure

Works with

• Lifetrac - Mounting
• PowerCube - Power

See Product Ecologies for more information.

See Also

Steam Weeder Agrokuh

Manufacturers

• Bärtschi-FOBRO AG
• Celli
• Dröppelmann Agrartechnik GmbH
• Falc
• Gramegna
• Imants
• Selvatici
• Sicma (Miglianico)
• Tortella

History

• Spader History

The Global Village Construction Set
Habitat	CEB Press	Cement Mixer	Sawmill	Bulldozer	Backhoe
Agriculture	Tractor	Seeder	Hay Rake	Well-Drilling Rig
	Microtractor	Soil Pulverizer	Spader	Hay Cutter	Trencher
	Bakery Oven	Dairy Milker	Microcombine	Baler
Industry	Multimachine	Ironworker	Laser Cutter	Welder	Plasma Cutter
	CNC Torch Table	Metal Roller	Rod and Wire Mill	Press Forge	Universal Rotor
	3D Printer	3D Scanner	CNC Circuit Mill	Industrial Robot	Chipper Hammermill
	Drill Press	Induction Furnace
Energy	Power Cube	Gasifier Burner	Solar Concentrator	Electric Motor Generator	Hydraulic Motor
	Steam Engine	Heat Exchanger	Wind Turbine	Pelletizer	Universal Power Supply
	Nickel-Iron Battery
Materials	Aluminum Extractor	Bioplastic Extruder
Transportation	Car	Truck
Key	Design	Planning	Prototype	Almost done	Full Release