Sub-Soiler/Ripper with a CUT?

[DocHeb]

I find the logic of using a ripper to loosen the deeper layers of soil compelling. My soil has a fair amount of clay, and if I can loosen the lower layers, it should allow some organic material to percolate deeper and allow for better drainage. Is there any chance that my TC40D would pull something like <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.monroetufline.com/Main%20Photos/subsoilers.JPG>these sub-soilers</A> through the soil? I realize it may take several passes, but would it work at all? I'd hate to spend a couple hundred only to find out that it will only cause my tires to spin!

 

[beenthere]

I would expect you could pull the "one-bottom" ripper, and do some major damage to the clay soil, in multiple passes. I have something very similar (single tooth) and use it to rip the sod (before planting trees), make trenches to lay gas line and electric line, rip roots around tree stumps, and roll granite boulders out of the ground that were left by the glacier. In sod, I can get some wheel slippage, but it gets the job done. It is great for loosening the soil for removal with the bucket on the FEL too.

 

[Darren]

I agree the single bottom unit should work. Another impliment that would do a better job is a spader. Spaders "spade" the soil just like you'd do it by hand only deeper. It's not unusual for a spader to breakup the soil to a 12 to 14" depth. Once a spader has gone over a standing crop it's difficult to tell something was planted.

Another benefit is that a spader doesn't bury and disburse topsoil like a tiller. It doesn't mix the soil. It retains the natural profile. What most don't understand is that true topsoil is beneficial because of the micro-organisms. Once you bury it, you've changed the environment so you don't get the same effect.

Unfortunately spaders are almost unknown in this country.

 

[kch]

A TR3 rake would do it easy. It is made in Indiana and weighs around 1000lbs. I pull one with a TC33 and it will tear though anything. It tears it up, then grades and rakes at the same time. They are not cheap however. You can usually demo one or rent one. i don't know how deep you want to go. Any more then 6 to 9 in. you will have to move up to a farm implement.

 

[jyoutz]

Doc, I have a single tooth subsoiler (ripper) that I pull with my 20 HP JD 4100. I'm sure that your 40 HP unit would handle the 2 ripper model with no problem at all. Not sure about the 3 teeth model. The single ripper actually pulls very easy with my tractor, much easier than my moldboard plow. Unless I hang it on a large rock or root. Then it will stop my tractor. This is a great tool, that I actually use in areas where the ground is too hard for a plow (horse corral). Then after breaking things with the ripper, I can usually get my plow to go down.

 

[JFarms]

Doc, I use a middle buster with my 4100 in heavy clay soil, and am glad I have R-1s. The middle buster is useless if the clay is hard, but works well when it's soft from the rain. The first time I made several passes with the middle buster, then added various furrows to make sure the ground was broken up completely, and finally a tiller. I had no top soil so I've been added soil amendments for a couple of years, and have kept working the soil so it's stayed soft enough to till without using the middle buster. Anyway, if mine can handle it, yours should easily. Best of luck.

 

[cisco]

I can pull a subsoiler behind a 34hp Kubota, with R-4s and FWD, in very heavy and previously untouched soil - no problem at all unless I encounter a large (3-4 inch) tree root, and then it gets a bit interesting - raise the 3pt to pull the root up, breaking it a bit, and then drive forward - it'll rip apart - but make sure the attached tree can withstand the loss of that particular root - for real large roots, it's axe or chainsaw time). Anyhow, you should have no problem with a single blade, and I expect 2 blades are quite feasible. Once you've got the trenches made with the subsoiler, a middle buster can really open things up (as can a bottom plow, etc).

 

[beenthere]

I've never heard of a "spader". Would you have a picture or reference? I do know what a spade is.

 

[DocHeb]

I found one at MaketFarm.Com: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.marketfarm.com/cfms/celli_spading_machine.cfm>Celli Spader</A>

Yeah, they're a few bucks!

 

[MikeNC]

I can pull a 5 tooth subsoiler with 37 HP, 4wd, loaded r4's. However the teeth are pretty dull, and need replaced, so it doesn't bite too deep, but in my case, pulling it is not a problem.