pulverizer

[rmacan]

I have 15 acres that has been in row crop production and I am trying to turn it into pasture. I need to level out the old furrows and the ruts the previous guy made with a really big tractor. I have been discing it which has helped a lot but I saw an implement called a "pulverizer" that looks like it might work better. It looks like a combination of scraper blade, scarifiers, and some rollers with spikes on them. I'd appreciate any info on using this thing or possible other methods to smooth out this field so I'm not bouncing over it forever. Thanks

 

[Bird]

rmacan, did you try the "search" function for pulverizers. It's been awhile, but I know there's been a lot of discussions about them in the past. I've never used one, but from what I've read, they must be a fine implement.

Bird

 

[rmacan]

Bird,
Thanks for the suggestion. I searched and found a thread called "pulverizer" but the discussion seemed to be about rakes and box blades rather than pulverizers for the most part. I think people were recommending other attachments for the person who originated that thread because he had a lot of rocks in the soil. I've only found about 5 small rocks in our whole 17 acres so my problem is a little different. I need to smooth the old furrows more than the disc did. It maybe that I just need to keep re-discing but I was hopeing that you more experienced guys (I just got my first ever tractor in Sept.) would have some suggestions on a better/quicker way to do this. Just looking through the equipment manufacturers web sites a pulverizer looked like it might work well but I'd like to get a little feedback before I go out and buy one.
Thanks

 

[WVBill]

Only five rocks in 17 acres! Where ARE you, man - I want to move!

Bill

 

[rmacan]

Bill,
I'm in the lower Piedmont of Virginia in southern Fauquire County. I think this land has been in cultivation for a long time and other people have culled what rocks there were close to the surface over many years. Farther north (closer to the Blue Ridge mountains, there are rocks everywhere.
Bob

 

[WVBill]

Bob: We're almost neighbors!

Until two years ago, I lived in western Fairfax County Virginia. They didn't call my neighborhood "Little Rocky Run" for nothing!

We moved to Jefferson County West Virginia (eastern panhandle) in the Shenandoah valley. Most of my land has fewer rocks than I had over in Fairfax but then there are the limestone outcroppings. And the clay soil turns to concrete when it gets dry.

Amazing how much geological variation there is in just a short distance!
Faquire county is a nice area.

Bill

 

[Bird]

Rmacan, I suppose if you go over it with a disk enough times, it'll get pretty smooth. You might also consider a tiller, and another possibility is what some of my neighbors do, and that is to disk it, then drag a big piece of steel pipe (sideways of course) to finish smoothing.

Bird

 

[dullpain]

I have not used a pulverizer but those I have talked too that did said they did an excellent job. I know Bush Hog brand makes a couple of types. A cheaper alternative would be to purchase a "flexible tine drag harrow" which you can pull behind your disc. Does an excellent job of smoothing. Can also be used for dragging pastures to spread manure, de-thatch, etc. I can tell a difference in permanent pasture that has been drug as opposed to an area that hasn't. FUERST is one manufacturer and they may have a web site??

 

[rmacan]

Bill,
Right you are. Just in the realatively small strech of our land there are obvious differences in the type of soil at various locations. It kind of complicated the soil test sample gathering. We have just fled Fairfax County too. I grew up out just outside Alexandria and lived down on Mason Neck until last June. We finally had enough of the congestion and bought a place we can move our horses to. Thus we needed a tractor, which is how I came to be on this site.
Bob

 

[rmacan]

McCallum,
Thanks for the information. A harrow looks like something we will use a lot with our horses and FUERST does have a web site. For right now I guess I'll keep discing and see about doing more to the field in the spring before we plant.
Thanks for the help everyone,
Bob