2 Row Cultivator

   / 2 Row Cultivator #1  

AmericanTractorDriver

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USA
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Hello,

I have been on the lookout for a 2-row cultivator. Seems that when one does seldom pop up, it's always old (so is there a newer tecnique?). Since we want one to plant on 30" centers and use the tractor to do the cultivating, I told myself that if I didn't find a 2-row cultivator by this winter, I'd build one for next spring.

Now one has come available locally. I believe it's an old Ford or Dearborn model? Has the 9 shanks in sets of 3 to span over 2 crop rows. So my questions are -

#1) Is there a better/newer method we should look at before possibly buying this cultivator? (other than some 1-rows, I don't see many new cultivators)

And #2) does anyone have a source for the curved spring steel shanks? I've googled extensively but must not be using the correct search terms. If I could build one for about the same price using some new but 'scrap' steel, I'd like to design it slightly differently (but with the same function). Seller is asking $250 I think.

Thanks!
 
   / 2 Row Cultivator #3  
Ken Sweet of Sweettractors may have some gear that you can use - I seem to remember he had some of those spring cultivator shanks a while back. He's a regular on here, so do a search for him.
 
   / 2 Row Cultivator #4  
   / 2 Row Cultivator #5  
you do not tell what type of tractor you have, but these are for row crop tractors. If you are going to use one of these, you have to widen the wheels out on the tractor in order to use as a two row. These cut tractors , can`t be widen out for two rows. I have a spring foot cultivator and i just made in into a one row. My tractor can`t be widen out. I have plowed many a row with these and they do a good job. The price you quoted is a good price for the cultivator. Myself, I prefer the stift shank cultivator. Using a one row, your rows will be wider, but I don`t mind that.
 
   / 2 Row Cultivator
  • Thread Starter
#6  
you do not tell what type of tractor you have, but these are for row crop tractors. If you are going to use one of these, you have to widen the wheels out on the tractor in order to use as a two row. These cut tractors , can`t be widen out for two rows. I have a spring foot cultivator and i just made in into a one row. My tractor can`t be widen out. I have plowed many a row with these and they do a good job. The price you quoted is a good price for the cultivator. Myself, I prefer the stift shank cultivator. Using a one row, your rows will be wider, but I don`t mind that.

At $30 a piece, I guess it's cheaper to buy the whole machine! Guess I will pursue that option.

Out of curiosity, why do these seem to be 'discontinued' or not produced anymore (that I can tell)? Is it just because of chemical weed control, or do they use something else instead of a cultivator these days?

Thanks
 
   / 2 Row Cultivator #7  
Out of curiosity, why do these seem to be 'discontinued' or not produced anymore (that I can tell)? Is it just because of chemical weed control, or do they use something else instead of a cultivator these days?

Thanks

Speaking only for my neck of the woods, the only agronomic row crop I see being cultivated for weed control is tobacco. Weed control in field corn, soybeans,* and cotton is by herbicide application. There aren't that many commercial horticultural operations, but I see them using black plastic for weed control, irrigation management, etc.

Steve

* All of the soybeans are in narrow rows.
 
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   / 2 Row Cultivator #8  
At $30 a piece, I guess it's cheaper to buy the whole machine! Guess I will pursue that option.

Out of curiosity, why do these seem to be 'discontinued' or not produced anymore (that I can tell)? Is it just because of chemical weed control, or do they use something else instead of a cultivator these days?

Thanks

Yes, chemical weed control seems to have snuffed out the mechanical cultivation manufacturing business. Couldn't compete on a large scale with chemistry based on cheap, cheap, cheap petroleum. This may change. Many organic farms are using mechanical cultivation to produce premium priced produce that is profitable in that narrow market. Some smaller operations never gave up mechanical cultivation completely. Very interesting subject ... I've been reading Steel in the Field:
http://www.sare.org/publications/steel/steel.pdf
-Jim
 
   / 2 Row Cultivator #9  
Like was stated, chemicals have made mechanical cultivations a thing of the past as they can save money.

I have a large garden adn I do it to avoid chemicals. I use and older Fergy and a 2 row cultivator. If you adjust the tines you can run any width you want. Sometimes it turns into wider rows on newer tractors.
 
 
 
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