Technical Specifications and Working Width
A 6-foot rotavator features a nominal cutting width of 180 cm (approximately 72 inches). It is powered by the tractor's Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft operating at a standard 540 RPM.
The PTO drive passes through a heavy-duty central or side bevel gearbox that drives a horizontal rotor shaft turning at 210 to 240 RPM, pulverizing soil clods into fine tilth in a single tractor pass.
- Tillage working width: 180 cm (6 feet / 72 inches) covering the tractor wheel track width
- Required tractor power: 40 HP to 50 HP tractors equipped with dual clutch and 540 RPM PTO
- Rotor drive systems: Heavy-duty side gear drive (oil-submerged gear train) or heavy-duty side chain drive
- Tillage depth: Adjustable depth skids allowing calibrated tilling from 4 to 7 inches (10 to 18 cm)
Blade Types: L-Type vs C-Type vs J-Type
A standard 6-foot rotavator is fitted with 42 to 48 curved tillage blades forged from wear-resistant boron steel or high-carbon alloy steel.
Selecting between L-type and C-type blade configurations depends on soil moisture, crop stubble volume, and regional soil toughness.
- L-Type Blades: Preferred for heavy soils, wet residue incorporation, and paddy puddling; resists root wrapping
- C-Type Blades: Curved design superior for hard, dry soils, requiring less tractor engine power
- J-Type Blades: Balanced compromise delivering clod shattering in sandy loams and light soils
- Total blade count: Typically 42 or 48 blades mounted in helical spiral patterns on the rotor
Commercial Price Factors and SMAM Subsidies
Commercial retail prices for 6-foot rotavators vary based on manufacturer brand reputation (e.g., Shaktiman, Fieldking, Maschio Gaspardo, Mahindra, Landforce), gearbox warranty, and chassis steel gauge.
Under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), eligible farmers can obtain capital subsidies of 40 to 50 percent on certified rotary tillers through state Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) portals.
- Price determinants: Side gear vs chain drive, boron steel blade grade, multi-speed gearbox, and slip clutch inclusion
- Multi-speed gearbox: Allows rotor speed adjustments (e.g. 4-speed gearbox) to match specific soil conditions
- SMAM Subsidy: 40 to 50 percent government capital subsidy for individual small/marginal farmers
- Testing report: Verify valid commercial testing certification from CFMTTI or state testing centers
Official source
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Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (CFMTTI) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What horsepower tractor is required to operate a 6-foot rotavator?
A 40 HP to 50 HP tractor with a 540 RPM PTO is recommended to operate a 6-foot rotavator smoothly without overloading the engine.
Why is a side-gear drive preferred over a chain drive on a rotavator?
Side-gear drives utilize oil-submerged hardened gears that provide superior durability, zero chain stretching, and reduced maintenance under heavy loads.
How many blades are fitted on a standard 6-foot rotavator?
A standard 6-foot rotavator is typically equipped with 42 or 48 boron steel blades arranged in a spiral layout on the rotor.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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