Tractor Mounted Ridger / Bed Former: Complete Guide to Choosing & Using

Watch our DINGHENG tractor-mounted ridger creating perfect ridges in the field

1. What Is a Tractor Mounted Ridger?

A tractor mounted ridger (also called a bed former, ridge plough, or ridger plough) is a 3-point hitch implement that shapes soil into raised, uniform ridges or beds. It is pulled behind a tractor and uses mouldboards or discs to push soil from the furrows upward into a raised planting row.

Ridging is a fundamental land preparation step for many crops because it:

• Improves drainage — prevents waterlogging in heavy rains
• Warms soil faster — raised beds warm earlier in spring for earlier planting
• Deepens root zone — gives roots more loose, aerated soil to grow
• Makes harvesting easier — crops sit on top of ridges, not in mud
• Reduces weeds — concentrated planting rows make weeding more efficient

2. Types of Ridgers

Disc Ridger

Uses two or more concave discs to throw soil inward and form a ridge. Best for: stony soil, crop residue, and no-till conditions. Discs cut through trash better than mouldboards and are less likely to clog.

Mouldboard Ridger

Uses curved mouldboards (like small plough bottoms) to invert and lift soil. Best for: clean, loamy soils where you want a smooth, well-shaped ridge. Produces cleaner ridges than disc types in suitable conditions.

Single-Row vs Double-Row Ridger

• Single-row: Makes one ridge per pass. Lighter, cheaper, fits smaller tractors (25-40 HP). Good for small farms or fields with irregular shapes.
• Double-row: Makes two ridges per pass (one in the middle, two half-ridges on the sides that combine with adjacent passes). Faster coverage, needs 40-60 HP. Best for medium to large farms.

3. How to Choose the Right Ridger

Match to Your Tractor

• 25-40 HP: Single-row disc or mouldboard ridger, Category 1 hitch
• 40-60 HP: Double-row ridger, Category 1 or 2 hitch
• 60+ HP: Heavy-duty double-row or multi-row ridger, Category 2 hitch

Consider Your Crops

• Tobacco: Typically needs ridges 100-120cm apart, 20-30cm high. Look for adjustable width ridger.
• Potatoes: 75-90cm spacing, moderate height. Mouldboard type gives clean ridges.
• Vegetables: Wide beds (80-150cm), often with plastic mulch. Bed former with adjustable width.
• Cassava/Yam: Wide, high ridges for root development.

Key Features to Look For

• Adjustable working width — to match different crop spacings
• Adjustable ridge height — via depth control wheel or top link adjustment
• Heavy-duty steel construction — at least 5mm thick mouldboards
• Replaceable parts — shares, mouldboards, and bearings should be easy to replace
• Category-matched hitch — ensure it fits your tractor's 3-point hitch category
• Powder coat paint — for corrosion resistance in humid farming conditions

4. Setting Up Your Ridger for Perfect Ridges

Step 1: Soil Preparation

For best results, plough or till the field first to loosen soil to 15-20cm depth. A ridger works best on previously tilled soil. If using a disc ridger on untilled land, reduce speed and expect more fuel consumption.

Step 2: Hitch Adjustment

• Attach to 3-point hitch and connect top link
• Adjust top link so ridger sits level when at working depth
• Ensure lift arms are evenly adjusted — use check chains to prevent side sway

Step 3: Depth & Width Setting

• Set working depth 15-25cm depending on desired ridge height
• Adjust mouldboard/disc angle for desired ridge shape
• Mark the first row with a string or tractor wheel mark for straight ridges

Step 4: Field Operation

• Run at 4-6 km/h (2nd gear low range on most tractors)
• Keep tractor wheels in the furrows, not on the ridges
• Overlap each pass slightly to ensure complete ridge formation
• Check ridge shape periodically and adjust if needed

5. Common Problems & Solutions

Ridges Are Too Low or Flat

Cause: Working depth too shallow, or soil too dry/hard.
Fix: Increase depth via top link or depth wheel. Till deeper first. Operate when soil has adequate moisture.

Ridges Break Apart or Crumble

Cause: Soil too dry, or speed too fast.
Fix: Reduce speed. Irrigate lightly before ridging if soil is very dry. Use mouldboard type instead of disc for crumbling soil.

Ridges Not Straight

Cause: Tractor wandering, or no reference line.
Fix: Mark first row with a string line. Use tractor wheel marks as guide for subsequent passes. Consider a guidance marker if available.

Ridger Clogs with Soil or Trash

Cause: Wet soil, heavy crop residue, or mouldboard angle too steep.
Fix: Wait for soil to dry. Clear residue before ridging. Adjust mouldboard angle. Switch to disc ridger for trashy conditions.

6. Maintenance Tips

• After each use: Clean soil off mouldboards/discs, check for cracks or bends
• Every 10 hours: Grease all pivot points and bearings
• Seasonal: Replace worn shares and mouldboard edges; touch up paint scratches to prevent rust
• Storage: Store under cover, elevate off ground, lubricate unpainted metal surfaces

7. DINGHENG Ridger Specifications

DINGHENG offers heavy-duty tractor-mounted ridgers designed for small and medium farms worldwide. Our ridgers feature:

• Single and double-row configurations
• Adjustable working width (80-150cm)
• 5mm thick high-strength steel mouldboards
• Category 1 & 2 hitch compatibility
• Fits 25-80 HP tractors
• Powder-coated finish for corrosion resistance
• Full spare parts support

8. Related Resources

• Tobacco Transplanter Buying Guide
• Complete Guide to Tobacco Farming Equipment
• Tobacco Farming in Zimbabwe: Market Guide
• Mini Tiller vs Power Tiller Comparison