Cultivator Sweep Angle Suggestions.....

[Haywire]

I'm putting together a cultivator and am welding up some square tube to serve as shanks for the sweeps below.

What I'd like are suggestions for what pitch they need to be for a starting point before the top link adjustment starts. When the frame is level, do they need to also be level or should I start them out pitched down a bit?

My top link is a bit bent, so I can't adjust it all the way short anymore. I'll have more adjustment out, or pitch up than in, or pitch down. I'm inclined to start it out with 5 or 10 deg down pitch.

What do you think?

Ian

 

[sweettractors]

This is a typical C spring mount for sweeps. This is the angle you would shoot for. We have several of the Used double leaf C shanks assemblies less clamp for $20 each. Ken Sweet
Used Cultivator C-Shank With Mounting Stem | eBay

 

[Haywire]

Problem with using that angle is that since it's a spring tine, the angle is constantly changing depending on resistance. Mine will be rigid shanks made out of 1.5" square tube. If the angle changes, it will be because of my bad welding coming loose. LOL I think I'll just set it up so that I have a 5deg down pitch when the frame is level. I can adjust the top link from there.

Ian

 

[sweettractors]

Problem with using that angle is that since it's a spring tine, the angle is constantly changing depending on resistance. Mine will be rigid shanks made out of 1.5" square tube. If the angle changes, it will be because of my bad welding coming loose. LOL I think I'll just set it up so that I have a 5deg down pitch when the frame is level. I can adjust the top link from there.

Ian

Lots of drag on a sweep point. I would consider a shearpin setup on a solid shank? Ken Sweet

 

[Ford850]

I'm curious to find the right answer here too. I always thought the bottom edges were supposed to be flat as if they were sitting on a table. When you buy sweeps, they are stamped with the stem angle (40*, 47*, 54*etc.), usually part of the model number. I believe that is the angle of the shank when the bottom is flat so that is how they should be mounted.

 

[sweettractors]

Here a couple ways to rig up a shear pin to protect the drop mounting hardware. Ken Sweet

 

[SandburRanch]

Problem with using that angle is that since it's a spring tine, the angle is constantly changing depending on resistance. Mine will be rigid shanks made out of 1.5" square tube. If the angle changes, it will be because of my bad welding coming loose. LOL I think I'll just set it up so that I have a 5deg down pitch when the frame is level. I can adjust the top link from there.

Ian

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If built 5 degrees with the frame level and the sweeps resting on top of the ground the sweeps may be closer to two degrees at working depth. Just a thought. Maybe, maybe not with your setup but I don't think I'd want a negative angle that may cause the cultivator to ride up and out.

 

[Haywire]

I'm curious to find the right answer here too. I always thought the bottom edges were supposed to be flat as if they were sitting on a table. When you buy sweeps, they are stamped with the stem angle (40*, 47*, 54*etc.), usually part of the model number. I believe that is the angle of the shank when the bottom is flat so that is how they should be mounted.

Hmmm. I took that to mean the angle of the mounting tab on the sweep. I got a couple stems cut and welded this evening. If what you say is correct, I might be buying more metal and re-doing what I've already done. :ashamed:

Ian

 

[Ford850]

Hmmm. I took that to mean the angle of the mounting tab on the sweep. I got a couple stems cut and welded this evening. If what you say is correct, I might be buying more metal and re-doing what I've already done. :ashamed:

Ian

I think it is the angle of the tab too, taken when the sweep is sitting flat on the ground. That's why I think the sweeps are meant to run flat and not angled, but that's just my thought.

 

[Haywire]

If both the tab on the sweep and the stem are 40 deg, the sweep would be 10 deg down when the stem was vertical.

I'll mount the two I have and see how they end up.

Ian