Figure 1. Precision sweep cultivator on single rows.

Figure 2. Precision sweep cultivator with cone guide wheels, sweeps and rolling cultivator gangs for bed shoulders.

Figure 3. Precision sweep cultivator on multiple rows on wide bed.

Cultivation is essential for nearly all commercial vegetable crops since herbicide choices are limited and vegetable crops cannot tolerate much weed competition. A basic sweep cultivator (Figure 1) can do an excellent job of precision cultivation if properly set up and equipped.

The Need for Precision Cultivation
Most vegetable crop plants are delicate and must be cultivated carefully to avoid damage and yet, because of limited herbicide availability and lack of tolerance for weed competition, cultivation must be effective and must be close to the row. The cultivator must be able to get very close to the row, yet not contact the crop plants. It is also important that the cultivating components next to the row be shallow, yet aggressively remove weeds.

Advantages of a Sweep Cultivator
A basic sweep cultivator with flat sweeps can run as shallow as needed while effectively cleaning the entire bed surface. It can be aggressive, but still not throw much soil onto the row. Sweep cultivators are easy to set and adjust for different row and crop conditions. They are durable and readily available.

Sweep Cultivator Components
A sweep cultivator for vegetables should have each sweep on an individual gang with a gauge wheel so that the depth of each sweep is controlled separately. Sweeps will be needed between twin drills or multiple rows and on each side of single rows. A wide, heavy sweep running somewhat deeper should be used in each furrow/wheel track. Spring shanks are good for these furrow gangs, but rigid shanks are preferred for the gangs on the bed top. The sweeps need have only enough angle to penetrate the soil. Crusted and/or heavy soils will require a greater angle. As soil conditions change, it will be necessary to adjust the sweep depth and possibly the angle also.

Other Components Needed
In addition to the sweep gangs, a precision vegetable cultivator needs cone guide wheels to hold the cultivator on the row and also some means of cultivating the sides of the beds. The sides of the beds can be handled in several ways including the use of angled sweeps but probably the best way to handle this sloping area is with rolling cultivator gangs (Figure 2). These rolling cultivator gangs should be sized (in width) to match the bed height. They should be angled to clean the bed sides and throw soil uphill, thus rebuilding the bed while cultivating. They are very aggressive and very effective on the bed sides, but are too aggressive to use near the crop row.

Limitations of Sweep Cultivators
Although sweep cultivators can be used at high speeds (6-8 mph) with larger vegetable crops (more than 6 inches high), they will bury small crop plants (less than 2-3 inches high) if run at more than 1-2 mph, thus cultivation of small crop plants is slow. Sweep cultivators generally require a flat bed top.

In summary, a properly set up sweep cultivator (Figure 3) can control weeds in a wide variety of crop configurations and situations. It can operate effectively and safely at high speed once the crop gains adequate size. A sweep cultivator is an important part of a precision cultural system for vegetable production.