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Hiller Bed Former
The
Hiller Bed former works in a very different way to most other bed
formers currently on the market.
Two
large PTO driven rotors lift and work soil from directly behind
the tractor wheels, the soil is thrown by the rotors into a
central chamber where it is then forced out of the rear through
the forming plates, giving a very firm well worked bed, with no
smearing or compaction below the bed giving the plants the best
possible bed to grow in.
It
has spring tines mounted both in front of and behind the rotors,
which work to loosen the soil in front of the rotors. These also
loosen and level the wheelings behind aiding the polythene laying
operation and leaving a flat surface for future operations.
The
Hiller Bed former has been specifically designed to fit into 1.5
metre bed centres, allowing 4 or 5 beds to be fitted into existing
tunnel systems. It incorporates a number of very important design
features that combine to give a very robust machine capable of
giving a very long life, including: -
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A
gear drive to the rotors eliminating chains and sprockets
utilising hardened steel tines 25mm thick and 300mm long.
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The tines are reversible and have two mounting positions that
gives the operator the option of moving the tines as they wear,
maximising tine life.
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The forming bodies are covered with hardwearing PVC wear plates
that are easily replaceable when required.
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Adapability - it is a very
flexible machine, with height, base width, top width and
firmness all being adjustable to suit individual growers
requirements.
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The Bedformers can be specified to make flat-topped beds or
sloping bed tops that are fully adjustable.
Hiller Engineering have provided a number of options allowing
customers to tailor the Hiller bed former to their individual
requirements. These options include a drip tape layer fitted to
the central chamber of the bed former, this lays tape at a
consistent depth and at a constant position across the bed
eliminating any “snaking” of the tape. For growers wanting to lay
two lines of tape, there is an option to fit two applicators.
There is also an option of fitting a granule applicator to apply
soil sterilising chemicals.
It
runs at a PTO speed of 540rpm and requires a category 2 linkage.
With a relatively low horsepower requirement of 70H.P. an
operational forward speed of 1 mph is easily achievable (dependant
upon soil type and condition). |
