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g) Setting compactness of the soil (in the pot)
Special feature of Mayer potting machines is to set
compactness of the soil in the pot. This depends on:
1. Drilling in or out the soil mixture.
2. Setting the filling quantity by setting the drawer.
3. Type and size of pressing plate.
Comment to 1:
Depending on the relevant setting of the drill motor’s reverse
switch, you can operate an anti-clockwise or clockwise rotation
of the drill.
When it is rotated clockwise it drills out the soil, and
when it is rotated counter clockwise it drills in the
soil (compacts). Cross shaped plate of standard
drill bit distributes the soil in the pot.
The standard drill may be used in both directions.
Special drills may only be used for drilling out. Flat
edge of the drill bit and deep grooves are especially
favourable in case of thick soil mixtures, pine-
needles and for loose filling.
Comment to 2:
Filled in quantity may be set by drawer with
adjustable height. Larger quantity of soil results in
more compact filling while soil filling drawn down at
edge of the pot results in loose filling.
Comment to 3:
Function of the pressing plate is to hold the pot and
to keep rest of the soil during drilling. When gap
between outside diameter of the drill and hole of
pressing plate (e.g. 6 cm dia. drill with pressing
plate hole dia. of 7 cm) is small then only a few
quantity of soil is removed and the filled soil is
compact. When this gap is larger (e.g. 6 cm dia.
drill with pressing plate hole dia. of 9 cm), larger
quantity of soil is removed 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
