Because of an unusually wet spring here in Ontario Canada, getting on my gardening was delayed more than a month. In addition to a wet spring my land is heavy clay with a compacted hard pan that can be like concrete that won't let the soil drain. I've resisted getting a sub subsoiler for some time partly because I couldn't find one in my area but also because I couldn't decide if I should get a cheaper one or bite the bullet and buy the more expensive Fred Cain subsoiler. I finally made the decision to get the Fred Cain subsoiler from Sweet Farm Equipment. Ken was right on when he estimated it would take about four days to arrive.
When I came home Thursday, there it was in my driveway. It looked solid and BIG. I had taken a gamble buying it as I didn't really know if it would fit my Kubota B2620 a 26 HP compact tractor or if my turf tired tractor would be able to pull it. (I have issues of tire slippage when I use my small single furrow plough).
After unpacking the subsoiler I began the task of adjusting the 3 point hitch to accommodate the beast. There was just enough room to mount it but it only cleared the ground by at most ½ inch and that was when in was in the jack knife up position used for transport or backing up. To complicate matters, when I headed over to the area I wanted to subsoil a little dip in the land caused the subsoiler to pull back and engage diving for china much to my amusement (OUCH). Anyway I solved that glitch by lengthening the top link to raise the cutting edge angle and used a chain to hold it up for transport.
I've attached photos that show 1/ even with turf tires and a compact tractor the Fred Cain will dive and pull the subsoiler real deep. 2/ how well it pulls through sod that hasn't been worked for 40 years (notice the mole hill it leaves behind which easily pushes down if you drive up it); 3/ The length of the subsoiler when the 3 ph is at its highest level with the subsoiler engaged to dive (It's a tight fit): 4/ how I chain it for transport (the little white dog is my Parson Jack Russell 'Dot)
The bottom line is the Fred Cain is a solid well designed subsoiler that, with a little ingenuity, can be used on a small compact tractor to its full potential. As a word of warning I think the B2620 is the smallest tractor this tool would fit on.
I'd also like to salute Ken at Sweet Farm Equipment. It was a pleasure doing business with him. Thanks Ken!
When I came home Thursday, there it was in my driveway. It looked solid and BIG. I had taken a gamble buying it as I didn't really know if it would fit my Kubota B2620 a 26 HP compact tractor or if my turf tired tractor would be able to pull it. (I have issues of tire slippage when I use my small single furrow plough).
After unpacking the subsoiler I began the task of adjusting the 3 point hitch to accommodate the beast. There was just enough room to mount it but it only cleared the ground by at most ½ inch and that was when in was in the jack knife up position used for transport or backing up. To complicate matters, when I headed over to the area I wanted to subsoil a little dip in the land caused the subsoiler to pull back and engage diving for china much to my amusement (OUCH). Anyway I solved that glitch by lengthening the top link to raise the cutting edge angle and used a chain to hold it up for transport.
I've attached photos that show 1/ even with turf tires and a compact tractor the Fred Cain will dive and pull the subsoiler real deep. 2/ how well it pulls through sod that hasn't been worked for 40 years (notice the mole hill it leaves behind which easily pushes down if you drive up it); 3/ The length of the subsoiler when the 3 ph is at its highest level with the subsoiler engaged to dive (It's a tight fit): 4/ how I chain it for transport (the little white dog is my Parson Jack Russell 'Dot)
The bottom line is the Fred Cain is a solid well designed subsoiler that, with a little ingenuity, can be used on a small compact tractor to its full potential. As a word of warning I think the B2620 is the smallest tractor this tool would fit on.
I'd also like to salute Ken at Sweet Farm Equipment. It was a pleasure doing business with him. Thanks Ken!
