Wheel Hoe

[Jambez]

I would like to get one of these for my lady, anyone know where to get one from and the likely cost.  Also if anyone has one can they advise how good they really are.

Thanks

[Jambez]

[hanraaa]

 :-*oh Jambez you are wonderful! if anyone out there can help this thing really could blossom in to something beautiful! xxxxx

[kenkew]

This is a new one on me. Is it really a hoe with a wheel?

[Jambez]

Yes the wheel is attached at the front and the hoe bit at the back and it can be removed and swapped for another blade.

[tim]

I think they were about £160?? Certainly easier than hoe-hoeing! So long as the ground is well prepared.

[Jambez]

Thanks tim, wonder where to get one from has anyone an ideas??

[Lady Cosmos]

Have seen them in USA, about 200 Dollar=  about 130 Eng Pounds.
Thought it is easier to use than normal hoe but is impossible to hoe close to plants, I can remember... Golsser, Glosser, Glasser such name it was....
Never seen them in Uk or Neth though.

[Jambez]

Thanks Lady Cosmos

[tim]

Can't  lay my hands on a UK ref yet - but there is one.

This US thing is approx $150 - there! http://www.uslink.net/~aljohn/

Much neater than the old fashioned ones.

[Jambez]

Thanks for your help Tim much appreciated.

[Derekthefox]

I have seen another type which looks a bit like a pastry cutter wheel on a long handle. It was used by our secretary because she had a problem with her back and shoulder and couldn;t use a normal hoe.

I don't have any additional info but she used to keep her spud rows clean with it, so it obviously worked.

[gavin]

Hi Jambez - I can vouch for them being wonderful to use; great tools.  I too would love to have one - but you'll have to look around car-boots and the like, or order from the US - a couple more expensive links for hoes imported from Switzerland :(  http://www.marketfarm.com/cfms/wheel_hoe.cfm  http://www.allsun.com.au/WheelHoes.html. 

I couldn't find any more about the Swiss end of things - there could well be other european makers?  Must go and have a look.

Meantime, if you manage to find one - and if they have a second, let me know --- PLEASE  :)

All best - and good luck, Gavin

[tim]

Jambez - noting that it's for your 'lady', I feel that one of the newer designs (like the US one) would be more appropriate than the oldies.

The 'oscillating blade' bit in one of the examples interests me. Something else to go wrong?

And 'can't weed close'? Not really, but I take a Mantis down between rows?? And then do the 'tween plants by hand.

[tim]

In case anyone's got the money, this is the US one. 

"We have shipped to Scotland at a cost of about $60 in postage.  We have sold out our stock of wheel hoes, but hope to have more available within two months.  Please let us know if you would like to be notified when they are available.  Thanks for your interest."

[growmore]

Didnt we have a british version of this called a JALO?  Maybe spelling is not right..
A Guy on our lottie site uses one. He can fit various bits and pieces to the back of it ,but I think it is a few years old.. Maybe they are not manufactured anymore ...Cheers ..Jim

[Lillypad]

Not quite the same, but would the Wolf 'soil-miller' do the job?
See http://www.cmsgardens.co.uk/wolf.htm

Lillypad
(P.S. I've not used either a wheel-hoe or a 'soil-miller' so I can't vouch for their effectiveness)

[tim]

Yes - & doubt it!

Jalos were advertised until recently, but can't find trace. How about a photo to remind folk?

The miller is clever, but it's the wheel that gives the leverage.

[Derek]

It is ironic that you should be discussing the wheel hoe as I came across it in a book I was browsing through only last night.

The book is.."The Allotment Handbook" written by Caroline Foley.
A line drawing of the hoe featured on page sixteen

The text says that "it was invented by Jethro Tull makes weeding and cultivating down straight lines between rows on light soil as effortless as pushing a pram".  :-\

The wheel hoe has the following attachments...

Furrower, Oscillating hoe, 3 line cultivator, Chevron hoe, Delta hoe, Oscillating hoe (wider version)

Derek

[tim]

Photo please?

[Derek]

Hi Tim

You beat me to it...here goes 



Derek