journal/THF/THFRS-Call with Jonathan - Row Shields - 06AUG2025.md

Using row shields as in-row agitation with swinging spider?

Trying to simplify this concept to only focus on using hoe shield as a row shield, not for any other purposes...

Wanting to focus on that concept - instead of coming off of the row unit, come off of the toolbar (inbetween swinging spider units)

Prototype now to run in the fall (on bare ground)

Need fore-aft adjustment

Tilt the hoe wheels... allows crop to grow, more action, closer to crop

Add a funnel for the crop?

GOALS / REQUIREMENTS

1. Extended and retracted position + fore-aft adjustment
2. Control height.... needs to be relative to the row unit
3. Tilt the hoe wheels / funnel the crop to protect the crop
4. Adjust in-out spacing
5. 4" to 12" high crop
6. Quickly swing out of the way and back into position

This seems really important to him.

Ball in my court to have a followup

https://www.sare.org/publications/steel-in-the-field/row-crop-tools/cultivator-shields/

28OCT2025

Idea: single swing per crop row

• Pivots 12" above ground nominally - toolbar is 26"-34" ish
• NO GAP ADJUSTMENT... well, unless you stack spacers
• The hoe wheels are on a 'knuckle' that slides fore-aft (square tube) and pins or bolts into position
• The lateral bar is linked to the row unit...
  • By chains in front of any possible knuckle position, to BOTH row units
  • By chains between the bar, and use a closed-u shape for the 'knuckle'
  • By bars with pin hole adjusters/stops to a point on the row unit