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Finer tillage

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:36 pm
by NoSnooz
I've run the 28A disk over the 1/2 acre several times (with and without added weight) but I think the clods need further breaking up before planting.
What else do I need? Do I run a drag over it or something? Any ideas for a beginner with a F-Cub? Thanks.

Curt

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:13 pm
by Boss Hog
if you plow in the fall and disc in the spring, the freezing and thawing will make the clods eazy to break up
David

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:57 pm
by markwayne
I have a peg tooth harrow I can use after the disk if I feel the need.

Mark

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:57 pm
by ScottyD'sdad
let it dry some, and disk again.. Ed

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:43 pm
by Jimdawg
The angle of the gangs could also be adjusted. More angle = more aggressive.

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:50 pm
by smigelski
let it dry more and put a good size peice of chain link fence behind the cut harrow

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:26 pm
by markwayne
A tire drag works well to level and grind the clumps. I posted a pic of mine a while back.

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:28 pm
by markwayne
A tire drag works well to level and grind the clumps. I posted a pic of mine a while back.

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:49 pm
by Eugene
It's still to wet in central Missouri to work the ground. You will need for it to dry out.

Disk again after the groud dries out. Maybe two or three passes. Peg toothed harrow works great for leveling and breaking up clods. The peg toothed harrows are cheap. You only need one good section behind a Cub.

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 7:41 am
by NoSnooz
I really like the "tire drag" idea! I'll have to wait a bit (and build one), let the soil to dry up, and try it out. Thanks for all the replies.

Curt

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:01 am
by Jim Becker
If you have clods that are on top, are fairly dry and refuse to break up otherwise, a packer or roller will usually do the job. A rear tractor tire can do it too. Drive across the field, move over 9 inches and repeat. That might be too time consuming on 1/2 acre.

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:06 am
by markwayne
Here how I made my tire drag.

Lay out your tires in a triangle. I used 6 but it could be 10 if your tires are small or you need more width. Drill holes in the sides where the tires touch. Bolt them together loosely, leave 2-3 inches at least so they will float and pass soil. I used 4" (5 might be better) bolts with fender washers on the inside of the tires and a nylon self locking nut. Put a ring bolt on the lead tire to tow it. When I pull it alone I run a just a hitch link on the drawbar to the ring, really short. And with the drawbar floating, run a chain from the lift to the bar so I can lift the front of the tires when I need to, to keep them from digging in, also handy when you turn around in the grass.

O
O O
O O O

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:34 am
by Don McCombs

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:02 pm
by rickguns
smigelski wrote:let it dry more and put a good size peice of chain link fence behind the cut harrow



I've used this method also behind a four wheeler an it really does work good!

Re: Finer tillage

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:43 pm
by markwayne
I have seen a commercial rig being used on a base ball infield. Worked a lot like a chain link fence, looked like one some too but made heavier. Seems great to make a grass seed bed but I don't think is goes deep enough for vegetable seeding.

The low till big farmers are using things calling rolling baskets when they strip till to break up clods and chop up residue. They look like reel type lawnmower reels rolling on the ground with down pressure. Hummm maybe I could make a small version.

Mark