OP
Steve Burgess
New member
Re: using and maintaining celli spader
Since I've started working on the spader I've found a lot of information from local old-timers about using and maintaining them in this sort of country. Apparently they were very popular around here about 30 years ago, mainly for incorporating pineapple crops as a soil conservation measure. It is really surprising how many brink-of retirement farmers and machinery dealers/mechanics have spotted the spader in the shed and started up long passionate and detailed discussions about using it.
Summing up the main points that most seem to be very keen to tell me about it.
- they prepare the soil and incorporate crop residue better than any other implement
- you must work them slowly
-they require surprisingly little pto horsepower for the job they do, compared to rotary hoes and other equipment
-they need consistent careful maintenance and lubrication
-any damage to the main crank and bearings is very difficult to service
-the pto clutch is essential and needs to be set as lightly as practical. (A rock jammed between a shovel arms/crank will destroy your tractor/spader otherwise)
-don't hit a tree stump while using one
-go slow, get pto revs, groundspeed and spader gearing right, so the spader walks itself through the soil at its own pace, almost pushing the tractor, rather than being pulled by the tractor
-one fellow suggested that the spader should be set up with a slight forward tilt, rather than vertical, to get it to walk nicely and prevent it 'tripping' on the spade points.
-everyone was generally full of praise for the job they do, but they fell out of favour around here because of their requirement for slow groundspeed and regular meticulous maintenance
Since buying and transporting mine from more than 100km away, I have found out about 2 more within 5km of my front gate - one of which was sold for scrap metal (still in working order) only a few months ago.
Since I've started working on the spader I've found a lot of information from local old-timers about using and maintaining them in this sort of country. Apparently they were very popular around here about 30 years ago, mainly for incorporating pineapple crops as a soil conservation measure. It is really surprising how many brink-of retirement farmers and machinery dealers/mechanics have spotted the spader in the shed and started up long passionate and detailed discussions about using it.
Summing up the main points that most seem to be very keen to tell me about it.
- they prepare the soil and incorporate crop residue better than any other implement
- you must work them slowly
-they require surprisingly little pto horsepower for the job they do, compared to rotary hoes and other equipment
-they need consistent careful maintenance and lubrication
-any damage to the main crank and bearings is very difficult to service
-the pto clutch is essential and needs to be set as lightly as practical. (A rock jammed between a shovel arms/crank will destroy your tractor/spader otherwise)
-don't hit a tree stump while using one
-go slow, get pto revs, groundspeed and spader gearing right, so the spader walks itself through the soil at its own pace, almost pushing the tractor, rather than being pulled by the tractor
-one fellow suggested that the spader should be set up with a slight forward tilt, rather than vertical, to get it to walk nicely and prevent it 'tripping' on the spade points.
-everyone was generally full of praise for the job they do, but they fell out of favour around here because of their requirement for slow groundspeed and regular meticulous maintenance
Since buying and transporting mine from more than 100km away, I have found out about 2 more within 5km of my front gate - one of which was sold for scrap metal (still in working order) only a few months ago.
