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!!!

 

[rustyshakelford]

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.

Exactly what I was thinking. Disc then tiller. It'll go faster too since you've run that disc over it a couple times

Brett

 

[ray299]

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.)

I'm not sure how to upload photos... I have a mahindra max26

 

[jeff9366]

I'm not sure how to upload photos... I have a mahindra max26

Add your tractor to your TBN profile. Tractor size is critical information in threads like this.

TractorData.com Mahindra Max 26XL tractor information

With a Mahindra Max 26 you can pull a 48" three tine or a 60" four tine Field Cultivator, which would be a five tine with one tine removed. Five tines will stall your tractor.

Here is a link to Iowa Farm Equipment, a Dirt Dog vender.
Dirt Dog 48" 3-Shank All Purpose Plow

Everytfhingattachments.com sells the Fred Cain Field Cultivator.
Fred Cain 5 Shank Field Cultivator Ripper Tillage

 

[spruce Deere]

I have same issues on different places or new spots I till/cultivate. It's not just vines but a kind of tumble weed and overgrown volunteer alfalfa also. I have even seen the ol' mans 'Big' howard wrap up some stuff, including 3/4 iron pipe once...

I have had the best luck when applicable is to spray at right time for plant control then work the spot.

If one cannot spray, use a rotary cutter to help chop vines or a scalloped disc not a smooth disk, scalloped disc cuts trash much better. One could even run a disc over the piece till it was completely worked over like a tiller would make it.

Cultivator/ box blade rippers work too, but fill and plug fast with vines, roots and trash. End result is a pretty clean plot.

Its up to you what you choose. If it was me and have removed most of the saplings and stobs I would use my disk to cut up the vines then use the tiller to grind the rest up.

Oh, I am the one who put up the "trash guard" for tillers post and pics also. Here is the picture of a set on a 60" KK tiller I made I have yet to do seals in any of my tillers but have done seals and a rebuild on a pardners woods tiller due to stuffs wrapping around and ruining seals.... Woods tiller did not have said guards.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm not sure how to upload photos... I have a mahindra max26

Let's see if I can explain it to.

When replying or replying with quote, click on your choice.

Then down in the lower right corner you'll see "Post Quick Reply", "Go Advanced", "Cancel". Click on "Go Advanced".

Then in the upper left corner you'll see a row of icons. The farthest left will be a couple "A"s and and "X". It's colored in blue. Click on it to turn off the blue color.

Then to the right end of that sam row or icons, 4th from the right end, you'll see a square symbol with a pic inside it and black dots at the corner. When you put your cursor on it "Insert Image" will appear. Click on that.

Then you'll see a box in the middle of your screen giving you a choice of where to get your pic. I use "My Computer". Click on that. Click on "browser". Find your pic and select it. Last, click on "upload".

Your pic will appear in your dialogue box. You can leave it the size it appears. Or if you want it larger, double click on the pic. A box will appear giving you options of how large you want it. If you are trying to show complete details in the pic choose "full size". Whatever size you choose and apply the pic will change to that size.

Once you have that figured out click on "Post Quick Reply". Bingo. Posted, with pic.

For example, here's my tiller.

 

[ovrszd]

Oh, I am the one who put up the "trash guard" for tillers post and pics also. Here is the picture of a set on a 60" KK tiller I made I have yet to do seals in any of my tillers but have done seals and a rebuild on a pardners woods tiller due to stuffs wrapping around and ruining seals.... Woods tiller did not have said guards.

My KK tiller has guards similar to those on it. Appear to be factory. I don't have any pics of them. It's the only KK tiller I've been around and bought it used. So not sure what's offered on new KK tillers. My local Farm and Home store sells them, I'll try to remember to take a look at them when I'm in town today.

It still wraps trash but doesn't seem to get into the seals.

 

[ray299]

 

[ray299]

Let's see if I can explain it to.

When replying or replying with quote, click on your choice.

Then down in the lower right corner you'll see "Post Quick Reply", "Go Advanced", "Cancel". Click on "Go Advanced".

Then in the upper left corner you'll see a row of icons. The farthest left will be a couple "A"s and and "X". It's colored in blue. Click on it to turn off the blue color.

Then to the right end of that sam row or icons, 4th from the right end, you'll see a square symbol with a pic inside it and black dots at the corner. When you put your cursor on it "Insert Image" will appear. Click on that.

Then you'll see a box in the middle of your screen giving you a choice of where to get your pic. I use "My Computer". Click on that. Click on "browser". Find your pic and select it. Last, click on "upload".

Your pic will appear in your dialogue box. You can leave it the size it appears. Or if you want it larger, double click on the pic. A box will appear giving you options of how large you want it. If you are trying to show complete details in the pic choose "full size". Whatever size you choose and apply the pic will change to that size.

Once you have that figured out click on "Post Quick Reply". Bingo. Posted, with pic.

For example, here's my tiller.



View attachment 490636

woo hoo, thanks... now I just have to figure out how to put it as my avatar....

 

[Clay45]

I don't know why something like this wouldn't be ideal to prepare for rototilling: CountyLine Subsoiler - For Life Out Here

Inexpensive, simple, easy to get. I used a middle-buster to expose roots & vines first and it along with their landscape rake helped to speed along the process.

I had more trouble clearing all the netting & twine from round bales the previous owners left to their horses than vines. I spend days cutting that stuff out of my tines.

 

[ovrszd]

woo hoo, thanks... now I just have to figure out how to put it as my avatar....

When you go into your profile to add Avatar it will give you the dimensions and size it must be. Different folks use different programs to size their pics. I've used PIXLR with success. Others might suggest something better. Here's a link to PXLR.

https://pixlr.com/editor/