Plough vs Rotavator: Key differences & which is better for your field

A farmer requires different implements, and plough and rotavator are among the most commonly used implements. The plough is more suitable for deep cultivation and ploughing, whereas the rotavator is suitable for breaking clods and forming a perfect seed bed. Hence, which is better? Let us try to know about plough versus rotavators.

What Is a Plough?

A plough is a fundamental tilling tool. It cuts, loosens, lifts, and turns the soil. Depending on the type of blades, there exist several types of ploughs, which all have their unique modes of operation.

The moldboard plough turns the soil. It also buries the weed and crop residue. However, the disc plough is suitable for hard, dry, sticky, or weedy soil.

What Is a Rotavator?

A rotavator is a PTO-driven rotary tiller. The rotating blades of the machine cut, pulverize, and till the upper layer of soil. It breaks up cloddy soil, mixes the light residue and weeds, and smoothens the soil surface.

Plough vs Rotavator: Key Differences

When Should You Use a Plough?

• After harvesting, when the soil becomes hard.
• Before planting any deep-rooted crops.
• When you need to remove big weeds, roots, and crop residues.
• When you need to bury the crop residues into the soil.
• When rainwater is flowing off the soil rather than penetrating into it.
• When there is a thick soil layer that hampers root development and drainage.

When Should You Use a Rotavator?

• After ploughing, to break large clods.
• When the soil is already soft and does not need deep tillage.
• To control young and shallow-rooted weeds before sowing.
• When quick seedbed preparation is needed between two crops.
• To reduce the need for repeated cultivator and harrow operations.

Which Is Better for Different Crops?

For sugarcane, cotton, maize, and deep-rooted crops, a plough must be used initially if there is compaction of soil. Subsequently, a rotavator should only be used for achieving a better seedbed.

For wheat, mustard, pulse, and vegetable crops, a rotavator could be employed for the last pass.

For rice cultivation, a suitable puddler or wet-land rotavator must be used. A dry-land rotavator should never be used in wet conditions.

Which Factors Should You Consider Before Choosing?

• Check your soil type, moisture level, crop, residue load, and field size.
• Also check tractor HP, PTO power, hydraulic lift capacity, diesel cost, and implement hiring rate.
• Small farmers should compare the purchase cost with custom hiring charges. Local availability of blades, bearings, and spare parts is also important.

Why Trust Tractor Gyan?

Tractor Gyan offers information on various tractors and implements regarding their specifications, comparisons, prices, and farm information. It enables farmers to make comparisons and choose wisely.