About used Hill formers

Ridge formers are used to create ridges / hills for the cultivation of potatoes, carrots, endives or asparagus. As the cultivation of each of these crops requires a different kind of ridge to be created, you will need a ridge former that has been adapted to the specific needs of your crop.

The benefits of ridge / hill cultivation

The denser the soil, the more important the composition of the ridge. Ridge formers loosen the soil and aerate it. Clods of earth are reduced in size, increasing the sieve capacity when harvesting. For the grower, this means a more uniform growth in less compact soil and a higher yield. The benefits of ridge cultivation are better moisture management, a good soil structure and easy harvesting. Water drainage is also better.

Ridge former with diabolo rollers for carrots and chicory roots

A ridge former with diabolo rollers is used to create ridges, onto which carrots and chicory, among other crops, are sown using a pneumatic seeder. It is easier to harvest carrots and chicory roots after the growing season if they have been grown on ridges.

The hydraulically powered rollers mounted behind the ridge former ensure that the ridge is built up uniformly. This is the foundation for good sowing. Mechanical weeding is also much easier on ridges with clear-cut sides.

Hill former for potatoes

When growing potatoes it is important that the hills are as full and high as possible, allowing enough space for the new potatoes to develop. The hills promote the formation of the tubers and protect the potatoes from light. Another advantage to looser soil is that fewer people are needed in the picking area to remove clods from the harvester and that a higher sieving capacity can be achieved in the machine.

Asparagus hill / ridge former

Because asparagus are gown on large hills or ridges, asparagus hill forming machines are different form conventional ones. The asparagus beds are milled through in spring, built up and levelled to promote the growth of the asparagus in the loose soil.

View our current offering of used hill forming and ridging machinery on this page.