Terrace

dieselscout80 · Dec 2, 2009

I want to cut a terrace in or two in my pasture and I'm not sure what is the best tool to use, but I think a two bottom plow will work. I have a IHC 424 tractor. My soil is red clay that holds lots of water if the water does just run down the slope. I live in South Carolina.

Is there a better tool/implement?

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/548674-post19.html

If the plow idea is doable I think I would want to roll the sod/dirt down the slope.

I have also thought that it would be good to drill (post hole digger) some vertical holes about 30" deep spaced out about say evey 40' or so and fill with them with about 10" of gravel and then some top soil to help get the water into the ground.

Am I on the right track?

Taylortractornut · Dec 2, 2009

THe best thing to get your soil to toake water better would be to subsoil it or get a pasture wrenovator in there. One of my friend had an old trampled on pasture that was so packed it wouldnt take any moisture. He had a 3 point parabolic shank ripper and ripped it all about 18 inches and it really helped. You can make good terrace with a breaking plow just follow you contours and thow up a good terrace then disk it a bit then maybe hit it a lick or two more with the plow and shape up with the disk one more time for grassing.

dieselscout80 · Dec 3, 2009

I picked up a used pasture renovator, but it hasn't been penetrating the ground much, but I made an adjustment to my 3 pt arms so maybe it will now. I still think I want a terrace.

This article I just found talks about using a plow.

http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/crpsl2/MF1035.pdf

DaveOmak · Dec 3, 2009

Small Farmer's Journal - Draft Horse Farming
dieselscout,
A few years back, The Small Farm Journal had an article on terracing land using a team and mold board plows. None of their stuff is on the web. Maybe your local library has back issues. It went into detail on the sequence of plowing to form a good terrace. I think it would be easier using a tractor? If you contacted them on the web, Lynn might have a back issue for sale. Good luck. Dave

DaveOmak · Dec 4, 2009

Here's an indepth article on terracing from the USDA. Page 8-89 explains terraceing with a 2 direction plow. Good luck.http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content=17546.wba Dave

firefighter9208 · Dec 4, 2009

We maintain our terraces with a 2x16 Turning plow. Run the right side tire of the tractor on top of the terrace and make a pass in each direction. Then work your way out.

The terraces that we have were actually built by Auburn University in the 1950's and 1960's as part of an USDA program. They actually had a terrace plow that was pulled by a bulldozier. According to my grandfather.

chris

dieselscout80 · Dec 4, 2009

DaveOmak said:
Here's an indepth article on terracing from the USDA. Page 8-89 explains terraceing with a 2 direction plow. Good luck.http://policy.ncrs.usda.gov/opennonwebcontent.aspx?content=17546.wba Dave

Dave I can't get that link to work.

Is this similar?

DaveOmak · Dec 4, 2009

Try typing in
(policy.nrcs.usda.gov/OpenNonWebContent.aspx?content=17546.wba)
I would attach it but its 5000 + kb. I see I had a typo in the orig address.
Must be getting senile? Dave
You might have to capitalize the words I have to get it to work. Yes it is very similar.
Corrected the above link. Maybe it will work