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g) Setting compactness of the soil (in the pot)
A special feature of Mayer potting machines is the
fine regulation of soil density in the pots. This
depends on:
1. Drilling in or out the soil mixture
2. Setting the filling quantity by setting brush
3. Type and size of pressing plate
Comment to 1:
Depend
ing on the relevant setting of the drill motor’s
reverse switch, you can operate a clockwise or
counterclockwise rotation of the drill.
When it rotates clockwise, it drills out the soil, and
when it rotates counterclockwise, it drills in the soil
(compacts). The cross shaped plate of the standard
drill tip distributes the soil in the pot evenly. The
standard drill may be used in both directions.
Special drills may only be used for drilling out. The
flat plate of the drill tip and the deeper groove are
especially favourable for thick soil mixtures,
coniferous soil and for loose filling.
Comment to 2:
The height adjustable pot stripper enables a
regulation of filling quantity. Larger quantity of soil
results in firm filling, while soil stripped at the edge
of the pot results in loose filling.
Comment to 3:
Function of the pressing plate is to hold down the pot
and the remaining soil during the drilling process.
When the gap is small between the outer diameter
of the drill and hole diameter of the pressing plate
(e.g., 6 cm dia. drill with pressing plate hole dia. of 7
cm), then only a small quantity of soil can be drilled
out and the filled soil is more compact. When this gap
is larger (e.g., 6 cm dia. drill with pressing plate hole
dia. of 9 cm), larger quantity of soil can be drilled out
and the filled soil is less compact. The pressing plate
with soil addition leaves a soil heap on the pot which
may be compacted by repressing. Special
accessories shall be used for special tasks and for
special pots.
Various designs of plates:
With soil addition
With watering edge
(optional equipment)
Tree nursery
clamping plate
Closed clamping plate
