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Single Ox Yoke
Many farmers own only one ox and borrow the second from neighbors as existing yoke arrangements are for two animals.
Tools for Conservation Agriculture such as sweeps or rippers should be designed for minimal soil disturbance and draught force to carry this out.
This multipurpose prototype functioned well with the weeder and ripper/planter.
Animals may require extra training if used with working as a pair but seem to adapt rapidly.
Drawings available
Multi Purpose Tool Frame
This simple frame can carry a range of tools plugged into a socket on the frame.
Essential points to note are the width of the frame to suit that of the animal and the length of the frame so that the animal’s legs do not contact the tools when on full stretch.
This arrangement is very effective for inter row cultivation as its operation is not affected by the height of the crop.
Multi Purpose Tool Frame
The shafts were made extendable for experimental purposes.
The ripper shown has provision for a seed dropping tube for planting.
Drawings are available as it has considerable potential for application in areas where animals are subject to disease
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High Lift Hitch
This system was described by Prof. FM Inns of the UK. Note the hitch point is at the back of the animal rather than the normal shoulder or wothers.
The system allows a shorter, lighter and cheaper tool with a reduced draught force which often allows the use of one animal.
Ripper Planter
This needs two animals due to the hard conditions. The ripper cuts a slot in the soil and the wings on the tool shatter the soil for good moisture infiltration.
The operator drops seeds down the tube where it falls into the slot and is covered by soil raised by the wings.
Rainfall on the uncultivated soil between the rows runs over the surface and falls into the soil loosened by the tool.
This concentrates the rainfall in the area near the seeds and gives good growth.
Inter Row Weeder
This tool penetrates the soil just below the soil surface so loosening the weeds which are then desiccated by the sun and wind.
A fine mulch of soil is created on the surface which acts as a barrier to moisture loss.
Donkeys rapidly learn to walk along the centre of the row and the leading trainer is no longer needed.
Designed and developed by Triple W Engineering Ltd with assistance from the EU funded Micro Enterprise Support Programme |
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