Determine SWEEPS for DIRT DOG 'ALL PURPOSE PLOW' / FIELD CULTIVATOR

[jeff9366]

SWEEPS for DIRT DOG 'ALL PURPOSE PLOW' / FIELD CULTIVATOR

I have a Dirt Dog 66-5 All Purpose Plow, AKA Field Cultivator, on order. This is the same spring protected design as the Fred Cain Field Cultivator, Ford Dearborn Field Cultivator and the original Harry Ferguson "Tiller" (sic), circa 1932.

$835 / no sales tax / delivery additional.

Contemporary brands have CHISEL POINTS standard, for 6" - 8" deep soil aerating.

There are several positive posts in the TBN archive from people who have substituted SWEEPS for chisel points, to use implement for cultivating row crops. However, following questions are not answered:

How does one determine the most effective SWEEP STEM ANGLE? Choices: 47 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees.

How does one determine optimum SWEEP WIDTH or combination of widths? Choices: 4" to 26" Wide Wing. (3 shanks front row, 2 shanks rear row.)

I see references to single-winged sweeps, positioned next to the crop. Still available?

Does anyone know shank width on the Dirt Dog APP?
Points and Sweeps attach to the shanks. Hole spacing? Bolt size/Bolt type?

Has anyone used a HydrauLink Top Link/Shock absorber with a Field Cultivator?
I have one, I will eventually try HL and DD-APP paired.

My tractor is a Kubota L3560/R4s/4-WD/5,400 pounds. Soil: rock free sandy-loam.


Dirt Dog Link: http://dirtdogmfg.com/system/manuals/pdfs/5/original/Tillage_Tools_Brochure.pdf?1369148216

Agri Supply Tillage Link: Sweeps

Nichol's Sweep Link: Row Crop Sweeps / 55 degrees



Photo #1: Dirt Dog All Purpose Plow

Photo #2: Harry Ferguson Tiller (sic), circa 1932

Photo #3 Ferguson Manual

Photo #4: Harry Ferguson cleaning the river Dikler, near Coventry, England with Ferguson tiller on [Ferguson invented/patented] Three Point Hitch circa 1947. Ferguson/Brown tractor.

Photo #5: Ferguson Tiller with sweeps

Photo #6: HydrauLink

 

[nybirdman]

I have a similar cultivator purchased from :Tractor Supply.It's a nice tool.I purchased some"peanut" shares from AGRI SUPPLY;involved a little welding but they work well.
I don't think you would need the hydraulic top link but wouldn't hurt to use it.The springs will take a lot of abuse;I have tons and tons of rocks.
I also fabbed up a hiller using the cultivator as a base;disc also purchased from AGRI SUPPLY.If you have a garden this is a worth while investment.
I remove the two center springs and bolt on the hiller portion.This way you hill and cultivate at the same time.

 

[jeff9366]

~Row-crop cultivator and Field Cultivator sweeps look almost identical. They are both triangular shape with wings that protrude from the sides.~

~Field Cultivator sweeps have a steeper stem angle of 47 degrees, since they are meant to move more dirt in the secondary tillage process, while Row-crop cultivator sweeps have a shallower stem angle of 54 degrees because they are intended to slice through the soil profile on a flatter plane. Object is to cut weeds just below the surface while throwing a minimum of dirt against the plants in the row.~

~Loosely excerpted from The Organic Grain Grower by Jack Lazor.
LINK: https://books.google.com/books?id=6...DA#v=onepage&q=cultivator sweep stem angle?&f


So, is there a standard shank angle ??

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Jeff: On sweep sizes, the ones in the first picture are called "chisel points". Sweeps are the ones with "wings" on them. We used chisel points to break up the ground. For example, after the wheat was harvested, we would plow with chisel points to break up the soil.

We used the wide sweeps (probably 18" or more - can't remember) for weed control. The wide sweeps are run at a shallower depth than chisel points because you aren't breaking up the ground with them; rather, you are just slicing through the soil a few inches deep to cut the weeds/vegetation down.

 

[jeff9366]

Ford Dearborn Sweeps (1): Re: Dearborn Sweeps, Shovels, Points

Ford Dearborn Sweeps (2): Re: Dearborn Sweeps, Shovels, Points

Ford Dearborn Spear Point Shovels & Points: Re: Dearborn Sweeps, Shovels, Points


I am answering my own questions. The internet is amazing.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

The Fred Cain field cultivator/ripper/tillage tool is the most common in these parts.
The shanks are fairly easy to move/arrange/remove, so you can set it up to your liking for cultivation.
The design of the Dirt Dog looks similar, but I can't see the adjustment holes or attachment points of the shanks.

Here is a video of the FC from a few years back:

 

[jeff9366]

And, Travis, had ETA the Fred Cain in 66" width with five shanks, I would have considered a fifth purchase from ETA. I am buying DD-APP through a dealer forty miles away, special order; somewhat cumbrously.

Perhaps ETA could improve market for Fred Cain model by addressing:
1) advantage of parabolic shaped shanks over straight Box Blade rippers pulling through soil
2) potential for surfacing underground vines
3) multi-task use as a cultivator with sweeps substituted for points.
4) aerate compacted residential lots prior to laying sod


Great video. I've watched it twenty times.


http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ement-vine-root-removal-woods.html?highlight=

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...echnique-implement-clear-wild.html?highlight=

 

[EverythingAttachments]

That's the beauty of easy shank removal. You'd have 2 spares!

 

[jeff9366]

Faultless repartee. :drink:

 

[C4Ranch]

The farm Ive been pheasant hunting for over a decade replaced their discs with huge sweeps (each sweep was abt 5' wide pulled with huge pivot tractors.
Interesting talking to my buddies dad that they learned the discs remove more moisture from the ground than the sweeps. They harvest milo and wheat.

Jeff, what's your intended use? Break up ground or weed between rows or?