Anyone built a raised bed shaper with a plastic mulch layer?

[Reyer Farms]

Looking good. 6" between rollers that hold plastic roll. You are going to need a plate to direct soil down into press pan and a trencher for mulch edges at rear of pan outer sides.



Encouragement!

 

[dlrfarms]

Yours is looking pretty much like mine,havent had the chance to get pics yet. You'll need to fix up some kind of light friction brake on the plastic roll axle or it will free spool to easy .I started out with a stick over the axle and a tarp strap holding the tension,crude but it worked and was easily adjusted.

 

[Rio_Grande]

Thanks for the measurement, I was torn.... That is the exact brake I have planned! Until I have more time to make something different. Picked up plate today to make the scoop to direct dirt into the pan.

I have another question. The tires that press and stretch the plastic. Some just turn in, some run straight and level and some tilt and turn in. With my design it will leave me with a square bottom for the plastic edge. Seems to me if my tire ran square with the ground and turned in slightly that it would work. If I had a ditch on each side I see where it would have to tilt to get into the ditch. With my set up tilting will only reduce surface contact.

But I could be wrong?

 

[Reyer Farms]

The tilt pulls and stretches the mulch. Tension on the roll on my machine is a plate at the end of the roll, it is very slight. Three rollers- two under roll and one behind the unit that mulch goes under, it is spring loaded. Have you decided on your drip tape shank design? I have some pics of a reddick ( very similar to your build) and my buckeye if it would help. It is a pain to load them here but I can if you can tell me what you want to see.

 

[Rio_Grande]

I had something in mind but I would still like to see what you have. If you don't want to put it here you can send it to my email. Jpfab1@gmail.com

 

[Rio_Grande]

For those who have one of these at home I have a question. The rear roller where the plastic leaves the layer, is your roller 2 piece or single? I planned for two piece but I am slightly concerned it would encourage the plastic to ride up into the center of the rollers? I have a crowned shaper to encourage run off. If I run a single roller I think it will flatten the top? Or am I wrong. Hoping to get this done in the next day or so.

 

[dlrfarms]

one piece roller on back,angled tires in a little bit to make plastic tight.wish i could get you pics of mine but i'm bound to the recliner for a bit from knee surgery

 

[Rio_Grande]

Knee issues suck I hope you have a speedy recovery!

 

[Rio_Grande]

Does the rear roller touch the bed?

 

[dlrfarms]

rear roller rides ontop of plastic to keep it smoothed out,I'f i can remember right i think i fixed up a kinda floating thing,just the weight of the roller