DOI article:
Šach, Frantis̆ek: Proposal for the classification of pre-industrial tilling implements
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48998#0011
CLASSIFICATION OF TILLING IMPLEMENTS
9
A. Questions of the main criterion
The choice of the point of view for the basic eva-
luation of the construction of ards, aiming at
their typological classification, is of great impor-
tance. It is necessary that the chosen main crite-
rion should be valid and equally suitable for all
evaluated subjects, if it is to become some sort of
common denominator. We speak about the main
criterion because to define the characteristics of
the subject more precisely, further secondary cri-
teria are required, related only to a certain group
of pre-industrial tilling implements.
The shape, length and support of the beam can-
not be considered as the main criterion. The ques-
tion of a straight or bent beam is of technical im-
portance as the bent beam can generally be con-
sidered as more resistant. A more generally valid
shape of the beam can be found only in the group
of ards whose working part passes through the
beam which is extensively bent at the back, but
here, too, there are exceptions.
The stilt or s/z’ZAy are of significance for the
basic classification of the construction only if
during the ploughing they carry the ploughing
wedge. The stilt with the exclusive function of
directing the implement can by its shape, posi-
tion and method of joining to the implement con-
tribute towards the more detailed characteristics
of the construction. It cannot, however, be the
basic sign for the type of ard or plough. There
exists also a large group of tilling implements
with no stilts at all.
The sole always takes a direct part in the tilling
process. While the shape and length of it as part
of the ploughing body is related to the local eco-
logical conditions and to the desired steadiness
of motion, the method of attachment to the con-
struction is important for the construction type
of the implement. The sole, however, is not the
only part that influences the construction. There-
fore it cannot be the only criterion for the evalu-
ation of all tilling implements, which include spe-
cimens without sole.
The sheath is the youngest part of the construc-
tion of the tilling implement. Its purpose is to
strengthen the construction, to transfer a part of
the soil resistance to the beam, to soften the ro-
tational momentum and sometimes to help in re-
gulating the depth of the tillage too. In many
regions the sheath is completely missing. It has a
number of positions and forms, which can be
helpful when looking for the typological and ge-
netic relationship of the tilling implements.
The share, coulter and mouldstrokers or mould-
board as the main parts of the tilling body have
the decisive influence on the quality of the tilling
process. Their shape and method of attachment
can sometimes give implements of various types
a common feature, but they can only be an auxi-
liary criterion and that to a limited extent.
Thus it appears that none of the mentioned
parts can be the sole criterion according to which
it would be possible to classify typologically all
tilling implements.
It is necessary to realize that the main interest
of the maker when building his ard was concen-
trated on the solution of the problem of how,
with the material at his disposal, to build a firm
working part ending in a tilling wedge, which
could be pulled forwards and whose position and
direction could be controlled. There can be no
doubt that the shape of the construction parts
and their arrangement into a whole were subor-
dinated to the properties required of the tilling
body and other agricultural requirements of til-
lage (light weight and mobility of the implement
or the steadiness of motion, the carrying or incli-
nation of the ard to one side, etc.).
As the main criterion we can therefore choose
the working part of the construction, i.e. the part
which carries the tilling wedge and therefore can-
not be missing in any implement.
When classifying the working parts of the con-
struction it is necessary to distinguish strictly be-
tween the ard head (in the ards without sole) and
the sole in the sense of the horizontal sole only.
There is a problem about judging ards with a
9
A. Questions of the main criterion
The choice of the point of view for the basic eva-
luation of the construction of ards, aiming at
their typological classification, is of great impor-
tance. It is necessary that the chosen main crite-
rion should be valid and equally suitable for all
evaluated subjects, if it is to become some sort of
common denominator. We speak about the main
criterion because to define the characteristics of
the subject more precisely, further secondary cri-
teria are required, related only to a certain group
of pre-industrial tilling implements.
The shape, length and support of the beam can-
not be considered as the main criterion. The ques-
tion of a straight or bent beam is of technical im-
portance as the bent beam can generally be con-
sidered as more resistant. A more generally valid
shape of the beam can be found only in the group
of ards whose working part passes through the
beam which is extensively bent at the back, but
here, too, there are exceptions.
The stilt or s/z’ZAy are of significance for the
basic classification of the construction only if
during the ploughing they carry the ploughing
wedge. The stilt with the exclusive function of
directing the implement can by its shape, posi-
tion and method of joining to the implement con-
tribute towards the more detailed characteristics
of the construction. It cannot, however, be the
basic sign for the type of ard or plough. There
exists also a large group of tilling implements
with no stilts at all.
The sole always takes a direct part in the tilling
process. While the shape and length of it as part
of the ploughing body is related to the local eco-
logical conditions and to the desired steadiness
of motion, the method of attachment to the con-
struction is important for the construction type
of the implement. The sole, however, is not the
only part that influences the construction. There-
fore it cannot be the only criterion for the evalu-
ation of all tilling implements, which include spe-
cimens without sole.
The sheath is the youngest part of the construc-
tion of the tilling implement. Its purpose is to
strengthen the construction, to transfer a part of
the soil resistance to the beam, to soften the ro-
tational momentum and sometimes to help in re-
gulating the depth of the tillage too. In many
regions the sheath is completely missing. It has a
number of positions and forms, which can be
helpful when looking for the typological and ge-
netic relationship of the tilling implements.
The share, coulter and mouldstrokers or mould-
board as the main parts of the tilling body have
the decisive influence on the quality of the tilling
process. Their shape and method of attachment
can sometimes give implements of various types
a common feature, but they can only be an auxi-
liary criterion and that to a limited extent.
Thus it appears that none of the mentioned
parts can be the sole criterion according to which
it would be possible to classify typologically all
tilling implements.
It is necessary to realize that the main interest
of the maker when building his ard was concen-
trated on the solution of the problem of how,
with the material at his disposal, to build a firm
working part ending in a tilling wedge, which
could be pulled forwards and whose position and
direction could be controlled. There can be no
doubt that the shape of the construction parts
and their arrangement into a whole were subor-
dinated to the properties required of the tilling
body and other agricultural requirements of til-
lage (light weight and mobility of the implement
or the steadiness of motion, the carrying or incli-
nation of the ard to one side, etc.).
As the main criterion we can therefore choose
the working part of the construction, i.e. the part
which carries the tilling wedge and therefore can-
not be missing in any implement.
When classifying the working parts of the con-
struction it is necessary to distinguish strictly be-
tween the ard head (in the ards without sole) and
the sole in the sense of the horizontal sole only.
There is a problem about judging ards with a