ROTEHO AT WORK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22582, 10 March 1948, Page 6

ROTEHO AT WORK

WAIROA DRAINAGE TASK ON SHOWGROUND Work on the excavation of about one and a-half miles of trenches ior tile-laying was started this week on the showgrounds at Wairoa by the Roteho machine from Massey Agricultural College. A demonstration will be given farmers tomorrow. The Roteho combines the two functions of digging a trench and laying tiles in one operation, though on several undertakings it has been found more satisfactory to lay the tiles by hand because of some of the crumbly spoil falling back into the trench and interfering with the close packing of the tiles. The machine was _ designed and brought into production in England during the war years and only within the last two or three years has it been taken off the military secret list. Designed on the rotary hoc principle the implement comprises a wheel about 4ft. in diameter fitted with hoe blades. As '—a machine moves forward the blades rotate and the hoes bite into the soil, carrying the displaced earth to a chute which lays it clear of the trench, the standard width of which is 7in. The depth can be varied from 20in to 36in. By the aid of remote controls, the driver can steer the tractor and, through the use of sighting-rods, can regulate the depth of the trength within the 12in. of tolerance allowed by the machine. In second gear, 10 chains of tiles can be laid in an hour.