Middle Buster & Subsoiler

[TerryinMD]

MikePA,

Got down somewhere between 12-14". I was very impressed.

Keep in mind that was with multiple passes. The soil there was somewhat sandy with lots of round river rocks. It also helps to have some additional weight on the plow to keep it digging. My neighbor stood on the plow. Not very safety oriented with this project. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif I had to move forward at a slow ground speed anyways. When I trenched for the hidden dog fence, I tried to keep the depth around 4-6 inches. Worked quite well.

Terry

 

[Bird]

Terry, you actually don't have to put any additional weight on the plow; just shorten up the top link, that changes the angle of attack of the blade, and it'll pull itself deeper. Try it; you'll like it./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird

 

[alan40]

O.K. Now you went and done it./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif An attachment I can use and won't have to take a second mortgage out on the house./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif An enterchangable middle buster and subsoiler. Who makes one like that?
Thanks in advance. Now to get out of here before the wife comes in. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Al

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Very popular @ TSC & Quality Farm & Family/Country... about $170-190 for the combo pieces... KingKutter, Worksaver, etc.

Most of it looks generic built...

 

[Bird]

Al, my middle buster came from Tractor Supply Co. and cost $99. Apparently, it's plenty strong; I've hung it under roots and stopped the tractor, loaned it to a neighbor to use behind a bigger tractor, and in 6 years, shows no damage at all. However, Tractor Supply catalog still just shows the two separate items; a middle buster and a subsoiler; don't know whether they have a combo available or not. Northern Tool catalog shows a middle buster (Item# 250183-C161) for $88.99, a subsoiler (Item" 2501831-C161) for $99.99, and a Combo (Item# 2501863-C161) for $139.99. And since I haven't actually seen them, I can't tell you anything about the quality.

Bird

 

[StanInCalif]

Gearmore has two- the MB-S-XB for subcompacts and the GR100 with adjustable shank (15"-19") and shear pin. Gearmore is good stuff, and available out here from JD dealers, but I don't know how far east they get.

<font color=green>stan</font color=green>

 

[MikePA]

They don't get to PA. I asked about their clamp on forks via email and they said they don't market back east.

 

[fractal]

Has anyone use one of the combo subsoiler/middle buster units? I have seen the separate units (subsoiler is more expensive) and seen the combo units online, but in my neck of the woods, there aren't many dealers to show me the differnece. I myself would prefer a combo unit so I can do garden work with the buster (looks a lot like a potato plow) and trenching with the subsoiler but have wondered if a combo unit was a good investment.

Has anyone actually used one to confirm if it is good value for the occasional user?

 

[DFarmer]

I was interested in getting the Middle Buster from Northern, but when I checked the cost of shipping it to me it was more than the implement. And live less than 150 miles from their warehouse. Ouch!

 

[Bird]

I had that same experience when I needed a 3 ton arbor press. I called their main number to order it and found the shipping would be almost the same as the price of the press. But then I called the nearest store (about 60 miles from me) and ordered it, picked it up there with no shipping costs.