How to Use A Rotary Hoe

You shouldn’t need to move heaven and earth to cultivate your land! Depending on the size of your yard, a rotary hoe or rotary hoe attachment is a handy tool to replace back-breaking spadework. Once you’ve set a rotary hoe up and used it for the first time, you’ll realise how helpful and straightforward this machinery is. At Hirepool, we have a range of rotary hoes and rotary hoe attachments to help make light work of your land cultivation. Before you give one a go yourself, let’s cover everything you need to know when using a rotary hoe.

What is a rotary hoe used for? 

To put it simply, a rotary hoe or rotary attachment is a piece of machinery that is used to loosen and turn over compacted soil and clay. There are several reasons you may want to use a rotary hoe for your landscaping, including:

• Getting rid of weeds
  
  
• Preparing garden beds
  
  
• Reducing soil crusting
  
  
• Preparing to lay new lawn
  
  
• Enhancing crop emergence

From rotary hoes that you can push to ones you can attach to equipment like a mini digger, there is a rotary hoe to suit any sized job or landscape. Read our tips for creating and maintaining your lawn for other tips and tricks  for a great backyard. 

How does a rotary hoe work? 

A rotary hoe or rotary attachment works by using large rotating blades to turn soil or clay. Whether you’re pushing a rotary hoe or dragging a rotary attachment behind a tractor, the power of this machinery makes loosening ground a fast and easy job. With no need for a spade, your back will thank you!

Can you use a rotary hoe with wet soil? 

It’s never good to use a rotary hoe or rotary hoe attachment when the ground is wet. Because of the moisture, the soil will often compact further and become thick. This clumpy soil does not aerate and can potentially damage the rotary hoe or the rotary hoe attachment. 

Why should you hire instead of buy a rotary hoe? 

There are several benefits to hiring instead of buying landscaping gear like a rotary hoe. Hiring quipment means you will.

• Save money: If you were to buy new equipment every time you had a landscaping job, you’d feel it in your pocket. When you hire instead of buying equipment like a rotary hoe, you only need to cough up when you’re using it. 
  
  

• Save on space: Let’s be honest, a rotary hoe isn’t exactly a small piece of kit. Finding room in the garage to store one may not be ideal as you may need to prioritise space for the gear you use more regularly. 
  
  

• Never worry about maintenance: In a way, this point also falls under the save money category. The time and money needed to regularly maintain big tools like a rotary hoe are often underestimated. When you hire gear, maintenance is not your problem!

When you weigh the pros and cons of hiring equipment that you don’t use often, it makes sense to hire.

Choosing the right rotary hoe for your job 

There are several different options for rotary hoes and rotary attachments. Whether you’re dealing with a smaller area with more sandy soil or a large scale landscape job with clay, at Hirepool, we have the right gear to get the job done quicker. Here are the different rotary hoe options we have available. 

Rotary hoe hydraulic 9 horsepower to 12 horsepower 

This rotary hoe is suited for heavier groundbreaking and working large garden plots. Having both forward and reverse gears and a tilling width of 450mm makes the rotary hoe hydraulic 9 to 12 horsepower ideal for gardens and lawns. When operating this equipment, follow user instructions:

• Drive the unit to your start position (the tine control level should be set to off when moving the machine without tilling).
• Increase engine speed to the desired position and engage the clutch by the primary clutch lever (at the left-hand grip). This activates wheel drive.
• When tilling, the tine drive lever must be moved over to the forward ‘on’ position.
• Should the machine jerk forwards while tilling, press down on the handlebars.
• Continue hoeing by steering and driving the machine with the wheel drive lever around the desired area (never hoe in reverse).
• The unit will only hoe to a depth controlled by the hardness of the ground Under most conditions, at least two passes must be made. For deeper tillage, move the depth bar up one hole at a time.

Read the full instruction for use for details on starting up and shutting down the rotary hoe hydraulic 9 horsepower to 12 horsepower.

Rotary hoe cultivator mini 5 horsepower 

This machinery is a small garden rotary hoe. With a tilling width of 355 to 660mm, the rotary hoe cultivator mini5 horsepower is often used to prepare smaller lawn and garden areas. Its smaller size and lighter weight make it easy to lift and transport. When operating this equipment, always follow user instructions:

• Adjust tilling depth level to the desired depth.
• Note: The clutch is engaged by pulling in the clutch lever and disengaged by releasing the lever (this starts and stops the tine rotation).
• Increase engine speed to the desired position.
• Should the machine jerk forward while willing, press down on the handlebars.

Have a look at the complete instructions for use for how to start up and shut down the rotary hoe cultivator mini 5 horsepower.

Tractor implement rotary hoe 40” 

As the name suggests, the tractor implement rotary hoe 40” is to be pulled behind a tractor for larger jobs. The minimum overhang makes this unit great for getting close to fences and buildings. A digging depth of 180mm and being chain driven make the tractor implement rotary hoe 40” well suited for larger jobs. 

Skid steer loader mini rotary hoe attachment 

This rotary hoe attachment is to be used on a skid steer mini loader. A mini loader is handy for fitting through narrow spaces like down the side of a house, and a skid steer mini rotary hoe attachment makes it easy to turn over and break up ground in these spaces. When rotary hoeing with this attachment, operating instructions are very similar whether you’re connected to a Dingo or Kanga mini loader:

• Position the machine at the start of the job.
• Rotary hoeing is always done with the machine going in reverse direction and the pump travel selector in the slow position.
• Start the hoe rotation by pushing forward the auxiliary hydraulic control lever.
• Lower the tines into the ground by lowering the main boom fully, then adjusting to the desired depth with the tilt lever.
• Move the flow divider lever to the 9 o’clock position, then pull entirely back on both drive levers.
• Gradually move the flow divider lever towards the 10 o’clock position until a good hoeing speed is reached.
• Continue to use the flow divider to control the trenching speed and keep both drive levers fully back.

The Kanga mini loader works the same as the Dingo mini loader, but the control knob for the Kanga is located close to where your left knee would be standing in the operator’s position. Read the full instructions for use for everything you need to know when attaching this equipment. 

Safety tips when using a rotary hoe 

It’s vital that you go over the instructions and pre-start safety checks for your particular rotary hoe before getting started. This information will ensure you are safe and your machine performs to the highest possible standard. If you are collecting equipment for someone else, always ensure the equipment user reads over all relevant safety information and instructions. Each type of rotary hoe comes with its own safety requirements, but for nearly all models, you’re encouraged to at least wear:

• Eye protection like goggles 
• Hearing protection like ear muffs
• Hand protection like thick gloves
• Foot protection like a sturdy pair of boots

If you’re ever in doubt about how to use your rotary hoe safely, always contact your local Hirepool branch. Otherwise, read Hirepool’s general safety information for general advice when hiring equipment. 

Get stuck into your job with Hirepool 

A range of landscaping and garden jobs can be made easier with a rotary hoe. For more tips, ideas, and gear to do with landscaping, check out our Lawn and Garden Hub. Hirepool’s simple online booking system makes it easy to check which rotary hoes and rotary hoe attachments are available at your nearest branch. Depending on the size of the equipment you’re renting, you may need a utility vehicle or trailer for pick up. It’s always best to chat with the friendly team at your local Hirepool branch to find the best-suited gear for your job.