A cultivator is an agricultural implement used for soil cultivation and weed control in farming and gardening. It is designed to prepare the soil for planting, maintain crop rows, and manage weed growth. Cultivators are available in various sizes and configurations, from hand-held garden cultivators to tractor-mounted implements. Here’s how a typical cultivator works:

Shanks or Tines: The primary components of a cultivator are its shanks or tines. These are typically curved or pointed metal blades that are designed to penetrate the soil.

Mounting: Cultivators can be mounted to a tractor, ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle), or used as hand-operated tools. Tractor-mounted cultivators are common for large-scale farming, while smaller garden cultivators are used for gardening.

Depth and Width Adjustment: Operators can adjust the depth and width of the cultivator, depending on the specific requirements of the soil and the crops being grown. This adjustment allows for precise soil cultivation.

Field Operation: As the cultivator is driven or manually operated through the field, the shanks or tines dig into the soil, breaking up clumps and aerating it. The depth of cultivation can be controlled to create a seedbed or to maintain the soil between crop rows.

Weed Control: Cultivators are effective tools for weed control. They can uproot weeds and disrupt weed growth between crop rows, reducing competition for nutrients and space.

Seedbed Preparation: For planting, a cultivator can be used to prepare a seedbed by creating a finely tilled and weed-free area.

Crop Hilling: Some cultivators are designed with features for hilling or earthing up crops like potatoes. This involves moving soil from the aisles to create raised rows around the crops.