springtine

Springtine is a type of flexible agricultural tine used on equipment such as harrows, cultivators, and lawn rakes. It is typically made from spring steel or a similar alloy and is mounted in a way that allows it to bend or yield when it encounters hard objects or resistance, then spring back to its original orientation. This spring-loaded action helps absorb impact and reduces damage to the equipment, crops, and soil surface.

Design and operation

Springtines can be straight or slightly curved and are mounted in rows on a harrow or cultivator frame. The stiffness of the tine and the spring mechanism determine how much it deflects under load, which in turn affects soil penetration, residue handling, and surface finished quality. In some configurations, the tine is connected to a small coiled spring or a flexible shank that provides the yield and return action. Replacement and adjustment are common, as wear or changes in soil conditions change performance.

Applications

Springtines are used for seedbed preparation, weed control, crust breaking, and residue incorporation in field operations. They are also employed in turf and lawn care equipment for dethatching and grooming, where gentler soil contact and reduced damage to young plants are desirable. They are valued for working uneven ground and rocky soils where rigid tines may fail.

Advantages and limitations

Advantages include reduced risk of equipment damage and better protection for emerging crops due to deflection, versatile performance across varying soil conditions, and longer component life in rocky fields. Limitations include potentially less aggressive soil penetration than rigid tines and higher wear in very abrasive soils, which can require more frequent maintenance.

See also

Harrows, Cultivators, Spring steel, Tine harrow.