A rotavator, or rotary tiller, is a tractor-mounted implement that prepares a seedbed in one or two passes. A rotor fitted with curved blades spins through the soil, cutting, breaking and mixing it.
Indian makers usually sell rotavators by width in feet. Common sizes run from about 3 or 4 feet to 8 feet, roughly 1 metre to 2.4 metres of working width. Some makers offer larger or smaller models on request.
How a rotavator works
The tractor's power take-off (PTO) drives a gearbox on top of the rotavator. The gearbox turns a side drive, which spins the rotor shaft. The blades are bolted to flanges along that shaft.
The machine hangs on the tractor's three-point linkage. A rear shield or trailing board levels the soil behind the rotor. Depth is set by skids or depth wheels at the sides.
- The gearbox may be single-speed or multi-speed. A multi-speed box lets the operator change rotor speed for different soils.
- The side drive may be gear-driven or chain-driven. Gear drives usually suit heavy use better, while chain drives are lighter and simpler.
- The blades come in L, C or J shapes, and the number of blades rises with width.
Choosing a width
Width should follow tractor power first, then field size. A wide rotavator on an underpowered tractor stalls in heavy soil, wears the gearbox and burns fuel. Read what tractor horsepower each rotavator size needs before you fix a size.
Your soil also matters. Heavy clay and stony ground need a stronger frame, a heavier gearbox and tougher blades than light, sandy soil. Small plots and orchards may favour a narrower machine, even with a large tractor.
Many buyers stock two or three widths to cover the tractors common in their market. Ask each maker which widths they build in volume, as those models are usually the most refined.
What to check on a sample
Look at weld quality on the frame, the gearbox make and oil seals, the bearing housings, the blade bolts, and the paint. Ask for the blade material and hardness, covered in which blade materials rotavators use.
Turn the rotor by hand with the gearbox filled. It should turn smoothly, without knocks or tight spots. Check that the blades are fitted in the right sequence, because a wrong pattern causes vibration and uneven tilth.
Ask for the weight of the machine. A heavier frame is not always better, but a model much lighter than its rivals at the same width often has thinner steel or a lighter gearbox.
Finally, check the PTO shaft supplied with the machine. It should have a guard, the right spline for your tractors and a shear bolt or slip clutch to protect the gearbox from stones and roots.
Next step
We shortlist rotavator makers, check samples against your specification and supervise production and loading. To plan the right widths for your market, book a free sourcing review.