3pt tiller vs vines?

[ray299]

Hello, I'm reclaiming a field that has been overgrown for a few years. I've pulled all the saplings out with my backhoe but there are a bunch of vines that moved in. I've cut most out and am thinking about buying a tiller to till the land #1 to level it out after pulling so many sapling stump/roots out #2 to pull up the vines so #3 I can plant the field. I know I'll be cutting vines out of the tines for the first few times... but does anyone have a better idea on how to go about doing this so I won't have to spent a lot of time cutting vines out of the tiller? Or would these vines harm a tiller if too many get caught up?
TIA

 

[Ford850]

Hello, I'm reclaiming a field that has been overgrown for a few years. I've pulled all the saplings out with my backhoe but there are a bunch of vines that moved in. I've cut most out and am thinking about buying a tiller to till the land #1 to level it out after pulling so many sapling stump/roots out #2 to pull up the vines so #3 I can plant the field. I know I'll be cutting vines out of the tines for the first few times... but does anyone have a better idea on how to go about doing this so I won't have to spent a lot of time cutting vines out of the tiller? Or would these vines harm a tiller if too many get caught up?
TIA

If vines build up on the tiller, they limit the depth. So, yes they must be cut off. The other issue is that vines, wire, and even tough grass can wrap around the shaft and work into the seal, ruining it. See this thread on how someone added trash guards to protect the seals and bearings. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/371446-new-kk-tiller-gets-tine.html?highlight=guards
You might want to get a ratchet rake for the FEL bucket, or something similar, to drag out many of the vines first.

 

[ray299]

If vines build up on the tiller, they limit the depth. So, yes they must be cut off. The other issue is that vines, wire, and even tough grass can wrap around the shaft and work into the seal, ruining it. See this thread on how someone added trash guards to protect the seals and bearings. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/371446-new-kk-tiller-gets-tine.html?highlight=guards
You might want to get a ratchet rake for the FEL bucket, or something similar, to drag out many of the vines first.

Two good points, thank you

 

[tcreeley]

Box blade with teeth, then till? I have the tiller - took me 10 passes to get an old hayfield garden ready. If you have time available, just keep mowing/bush hogging through the summer and your vines will die off on their own.
Then there is plowing and harrowing.

Good luck.

 

[jeff9366]

Here is a thread perfectly on topic:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/294290-implement-vine-root-removal-woods.html


FIELD CULTIVATOR is the best implement for removing vines and corms and transporting them easily to a disposal site. If you chop vines with a roto-tiller some of the chips will propagate into new vines.

What tractor are you using?
(Your tractor should appear as part of your T-B-N Profile.)

 

[newbury]

I had about a 1/4 acre of vines similar to jeff's problem. Thick and some as big around as my wrist. But I also had a very limited budget. I used my clamp-on pallet forks like a fork on my M4700. I'd lower them to about ground level, give them a slight tip so the points were at ground level, then push forward. I effectively "plowed" furrows several inches deep and snagged lots of vines. Then I would raise the bucket until the vines broke off, backing up if necessary. Also got rid of lots of 1" and less saplings.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think I would use my disk harrow to chop up the vines and level out the dirt a bit then let it lay fallow for a while and see what comes back out. Then disk again. I for sure wouldn't fight the vines wrapping around a tiller. You may get a few wrapped around the disk but they are much easier to cut out from a disk axle than a tiller tines.
If the vines persist in coming back, a quick application of Roundup should do away with them.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The other issue is that vines, wire, and even tough grass can wrap around the shaft and work into the seal, ruining it.

This just doesn't happen on "better designed" tillers, it's NEVER happen on my Howards, they still have the original seals in them and one on them has been commercial tilling since the early 80's....

The best way I handle vines on my place is, rotary cut everything above ground, and then let one of my Howard tillers take care of what's below ground!

SR

 

[ovrszd]

This just doesn't happen on "better designed" tillers, it's NEVER happen on my Howards, they still have the original seals in them and one on them has been commercial tilling since the early 80's....

The best way I handle vines on my place is, rotary cut everything above ground, and then let one of my Howard tillers take care of what's below ground!

SR

That's amazing. Got any pics of a vined/rooted field before and after that you've reclaimed with your roto-tiller?

 

[ovrszd]

I suggest a disc harrow. Repeated application cutting at a different direction each time. Eventually you'll have them cut into shorter pieces that will rot away. You'll still find yourself walking the field and picking up the stubborn ones.

Post pics with your solution!!!