chisel plow quick response needed

[darrenjttu]

There is a good deal on a chisel plow that is the right size for my tractor and I am wondering if the actual chisel plow is the type of plow that I need. I have 20 acers and about 5 acers I am going to plant grass seed soon. I have a lot of rock in the soil that I have broken up with my neighbors little disc plow. I think the chisel will allow me to break up the soil better for the rocky conditions. Yes I have done soil testing and going to amend soil. I am just wondering if the spring chisel plow is what I need to loosen up the soil and get it ready for seed soon. I have checked with county agent and there is nothing to rent in this area. Also since my place is so small it would not be worth it to hire someone for the small area. Thanks for your response.

 

[whis]

chisel plow will pull up more rocks

 

[jenkinsph]

A better match for a 4300 would be a 5' KK II tiller with forward rotation. Two passes with the tiller and you can press the rocks down into the soil leaving a reasonably clean field after the grass is up. I try to pick up the large rocks after the first till.

 

[Creamer]

I am more of a fan of smaller shanks like a field cultivator with a spring tooth harrow on the back rather than a chisel plow for breaking it up finer. A chisel plow will work - it is only five acres so you may have to go over it a few times. A lawn roller will push the rocks back in the ground when you are done.

 

[darrenjttu]

7FT SCRATCHER/CHISEL PLOW

 

[jenkinsph]

7FT SCRATCHER/CHISEL PLOW

Looks like a hard pull for a 4300

 

[farmer2009]

A chisel plow is a primary tillage tool just like the pan plow or moldboard plow.

It will still need to be disked or field cultivated. Or some other secondary tillage tool.

Rolling after seeding helps set the seed into the soil for good seed to soil contact. Rolling before seeding is also a good idea to keep from pressing seeds too deep in light fluffy or dry soils.

 

[darrenjttu]

Well maybe this is not the right tool for the job. Maybe I can borrow my neighbors little disk plow again and just make multiple passes

 

[Creamer]

that depends on what you are calling a disc plow. If you are talking about a tandem disc or an offset disc with two rows of discs running at a slight angle - that is certainly the right tool. The rolling discs do more cutting of the clods than a chisel plow or field cultivator ever wood.

BTW - this is the only thing I would recommend a disc for. Some guys use them for everything but they get the soil too fine and often ridge unless somebody knows how to run them.

 

[jeff9366]

The Three Point Hitch mounted Tandem Disc Harrow is a secondary tillage implement. The Disc Harrow is a form of tiller, most efficient mixing and smoothing soil in long runs, i.e. fields. The goals in harrowing are mixed soil and a smooth bed behind the implement.

Primary tillage implements are mostly plows: most often traditional Moldboard Plows, less often Disc Plows (which are NOT Disc Harrows). The primary purpose of plowing is to turn over the upper layer of the soil, often sod, bringing nutrients to the surface, burying sod, weeds and the remains of previous crops; encouraging decomposition. Plow goals are distinct from Tandem Disc Harrow goals.

Other primary tillage implements are Offset Discs, and Chisel Plows. Primary tillage implements should break sod in a single pass.

 

[jeff9366]

There is a good deal on a chisel plow that is the right size for my tractor.

I am wondering if the spring chisel plow is what I need to loosen up the soil and get it ready for seed soon.

First dig a pit three feet deep to see how deep your top soil is and how deep the rock layer is and what is under the rock layer. You cannot make a good decision until you have this information.

A spring-protected Chisel plow is a fine implement. I would think it would be the most common type of plow used in Texas, as it is a conservation plow, which leaves some surface residue to protect against wind blowing away top soil.

After fracturing the soil with a Chisel plow you will need to mix and level the soil with a Disc Harrow.

Rolling in the seed, to press the seed into contact with the soil, will improve germination, especially if your field is not irrigated.

I would seek advice from your local ag supply or tractor store about how others are handling soil layer conditions in your locale.

 

[jeff9366]

First dig a pit three feet deep to see how deep your top soil is and how deep the rock layer is and what is under the rock layer. You cannot make a good decision until you have this information.

The implement in Post #7 is a nine tine Field Cultivator, not a Chisel plow. You cannot pull more than a five tine Field Cultivator with a JD4300 and that will be a load if you have 2-WD rather than 4-WD. However, unless corroded, the tines and springs are reasonably easy to move or remove. Then you will have spares.

$350 is a good price. Here are prices and dimensions of new Field Cultivators:
Tractor Ripper, Field Cultivator, Tillage Tool

And here is a thread I wrote on Field Cultivators: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/339095-dirt-dog-all-purpose-plow.html?highlight=

JENKINSPH responded in Post #3 and Post #6. His advice I find worth careful consideration.


GOOD LUCK.

 

[Creamer]

Wow Jeff! Talk about overworking the soil! Most grass seeds prefer a firm seedbed - a bunch of deep tillage is overkill and will not help the situation. Cutting it a few inches deep with a disc a few times making sure it is level and smooth and then plant it. If you till it too deep you are not sure how level it is going to be when it packs back down.

May need to drag it is it is not level when you are done discing.