Getting a field cultivator to go deeper

   / Getting a field cultivator to go deeper #1  

dkizerian

Bronze Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2012
Messages
67
Location
Erda, Utah
Tractor
Kubota B7300
Hi,
I just picked up an old used 5 shank field cultivator similar to pictured below (Only $250!). I used it in the plowed area of my yard and it digs in DEEP, and did wonders. I've now tried to drag it across my field and it just doesn't go in very deep, only 3-4 inches at best. The field is overgrown with Alfalfa and seems to be very hard packed. Would weight help at all? I'm also thinking that the ground might have just been a little too dry, so I'm going to try it a day or two after this next storm.

I'm using it, a subsoiler and a chain harrow to break up the surface, thin the alfalfa a bit, and then I'm going to broadcast spread a mix of seeds that have been recommended for goats (Alfalfa alone isn't good apparently).

Thanks
Dave K
fc7.gif
 
   / Getting a field cultivator to go deeper #2  
I have a similar unit. Love it for working the dirt.

I cannot imagine, however, that it would have much ability to penetrate soil that hasn't first been ripped deep by either plow or chisel.
 
   / Getting a field cultivator to go deeper #3  
You might want to first go over the field with a bush hog to scalp the growth, then go over it with the subsoiler and finally add some heavy weight on top of the cultivator and you should have the result you are after.
 
   / Getting a field cultivator to go deeper #4  
Not sure what region you are in but id hit that field with an herbicide and get a good burn down let the roots root a bit along with a good soaking rain you may get her to go. But as someone else has already mentioned. a good rippen with a chisel plow would do wonders.
 
   / Getting a field cultivator to go deeper #5  
With that little B7300, your best bet is your subsoiler/middlebuster. I used one of these with my Kubota B7510HST when I put in my lawn a few years ago at my new house.

Kubota-middle buster-1.JPGKubota-middle buster-2.JPG

I rototilled to smooth out the plowed ground.

Kubota rototill-1.JPG


Good luck
 
   / Getting a field cultivator to go deeper #6  
Hi,
I just picked up an old used 5 shank field cultivator similar to pictured below (Only $250!). I used it in the plowed area of my yard and it digs in DEEP, and did wonders. I've now tried to drag it across my field and it just doesn't go in very deep, only 3-4 inches at best. The field is overgrown with Alfalfa and seems to be very hard packed. Would weight help at all? I'm also thinking that the ground might have just been a little too dry, so I'm going to try it a day or two after this next storm.

I'm using it, a subsoiler and a chain harrow to break up the surface, thin the alfalfa a bit, and then I'm going to broadcast spread a mix of seeds that have been recommended for goats (Alfalfa alone isn't good apparently).

Thanks
Dave K
fc7.gif
If you've got a set of disks, disk it first then run the cultivator over it and you should achieve what you want.
 
   / Getting a field cultivator to go deeper #7  
Add weight and try that. If that does not work try to adjust the top linkage so that the tines have a more aggressive bite. :)

You may have to remove some outside tines if it goes deeper.:)
 
   / Getting a field cultivator to go deeper #8  
Wait for the right moisture, add weight, remove 2 shanks, cultivate round D roundy once, cultivate on the bias twice in opposite directions, add those 2 shanks back and cultivate until you're happy.

Or bale the alfalfa. Considered one of the best goat hays there is.
 
   / Getting a field cultivator to go deeper #9  
That looks to me like what we called a chisel plow in Louisiana rather than a field cultivatorand they usually have no trouble digging in. Check your draft control. A chisel plow requires about 10 hp per shank to pull when you are up to center of the curve and in hardpan soil. It should be flat when it lowers so all tines are digging in at the same depth. Try adjusting the top link in or out and see how that works. You may have to go a bit slower also. All the chisel plows I ever used also had gauge wheels on them to keep them from going TOO deep as they pretty much dug in till either the hydraulics stopped them or the gauge wheels held them up our the tractor stalled.
 
   / Getting a field cultivator to go deeper
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Thanks everyone for the advice!

I'm expecting to need to take 2-3 of the shanks off once it really starts to dig in.

I dug a few test holes in my ground last night, and it is dry and very well compacted for 6-10 inches along the top. I'm going to get the subsoiler out and see if I can break it up tonight in it's dry state, if not, we're expecting rain tomorrow-saturday, so sunday or mornday the ground should be a little more damp and receptive.
 
 
 
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