cultivator question

[yelbike]

I have a small farmking cultivator that I bought awhile back and I just now started use. It works great. It came with the points installed and a set of 7" sweeps not installed. I normally would just install the sweeps to see which work best, but I have one hand in cast right now.

Can someone tell whats the difference/purpose between two?

 

[Baby Grand]

Just ran across this book this morning:

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education - Publications - Steel in the Field - Home Page

I think I'm going to get it. Building a cultivator is on my short list, but I'm confused by all the different points, sweeps, hoes, shovels, ridgers, buzzards wings, etc...

 

[bp fick]

Well, it is broad subject, but I'll say a few things to kick it off. Those straights knives they typically come with are a narrow blade that throws the dirt equally in either direction. Works well, but sometimes, you want to the furrows to be broader, for a host of reasons and a double wing shoe will do that. Take a wing off one side or the other? Well, the dirt is going to be pushed or flipped in one direction only. Do you want to push dirt toward some potato plants, for example? Great. But what if you have tender plants that you'd likely risk burying if you had dirt moving toward them?

The shoes winged the other way, will "hold" against the plant side, but move the soil away from the plant. Perfect. There are myriads of shoes, each with a purpose.

 

[yelbike]

Right now I'm looking for depth. My thinking was to pass with the cultivator to allow my tiller to sink deeper. Then pass again with my tiller break it up even finer.

I think I'm best off with the fine tips for now anyways.

 

[Egon]

The points may be used for breaking. Or deeper tillage. The sweeps may be used for weed controll. Point usually require more horsepower if set deep.

 

[rambler]

Points go deeper to break things up.

Sweeps stay 2-3 inches and cut off fine weeds. Very light tillage.

--->Paul

 

[yelbike]

Thanks rambler, thats what I was starting to think.:thumbsup:

 

[RealJimbo]

Don't confuse a cultivator with a chisel plow. A cultivator will not go deep. Going deep brings weed seeds to the germination zone, which is why cultivator sweeps run at/just below surface.

A chisel plow will go deep, allowing soil areation/surface drainage, without turning. A true chisel plow is tradionally 10hp per shank.

 

[yelbike]

Thanks for the reply, I petty sure I don't have a chisel plow. Its more of a 'S' shank.

 

[weedpharma]

Likewise I am confused as to usage of soil engagement devices. I have a 9 point spring tyne harrow that is fitted with points about 40 - 50mm wide. I use it to break up the soil. It lifts and breaks into clods of dirt and weeds, I want to destroy the weeds but as they are in clods, many survive and I have to go over numerous timed to break up the clods more.

I would like to reduce the amount of working to break up the clods. Would it be worthwhile to put winged points on (if they will fit), and what size? Sorry, no pics available at this time.


Weedpharma