Ground Prep for SPring garden

[sl3uth]

Well, I have been searching for something to make raised rows as well. I have come across things named "Hilling Moldboards", "Tillrowvators", and now "Potato Hiller"...but I haven't been able to find anything that's made today. Everything I've come up with is at an auction that's just not practical for me to get to.

I know this would probably fit better in one of the other discussion groups, but what about a "special" tailgate for a 60" tiller that would funnel the tilled soil into a 48" raised bed?

Anyway, I'd love to hear what orthers use as well...as long as it's not a shovel /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Sam

 

[Knight9]

Raised rows can be made by Bed shapers or by several other types. Sadly...they all cost $$$ /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Kevin

 

[Von]

I found this one (see photo) in the Agri Supply Co. catalog. It might be what some are looking for.

 

[KiotiJohn]

What my cousin uses for making beds he calls a disk bedder. I don't remember the exact configuration, but it I think it's two rows of disks with a special angle to raise the dirt up into hills. Check this site for information on bedders:
http://www.buctraco.com/RaisedBedEq.html
Also, an interesting article that includes information on bedding: http://pss.okstate.edu/personnel/faculty/banks/extension/chapter5.html
Hope this helps, John

 

[RalphVa]

I've never done this before. Hopefully, I can figure out how to upload a photo of my rotary plow. Here it is in an attachment, hopefully. Heah, this appears simple. Did the browse, and it shows the file.

This is a pic right after I cleaned the plow up (using the rust removal by electrolysis) and repainted it. It isn't connected to the PTO. I just have in place where it would be connected.

I'm not really sure what the PTO speed of the Gravely is. It does have 2 speeds. I usually run it in low because the ground speed is too fast for me to walk if I use the 2nd speed, and the plow will throw the dirt too far!

Ralph

 

[kensfarm]

It actually looks just like the "bed shaper" picture link.. except that mine has all 4 disks on the first bar.. and the bed shaper on the second bar. The brand name is "Fergason Mfr.?" I think the price was around a $1000 3 years ago.
I'd have to wait until the weekend to take pictures.. it's usually dark when I get home.

Before I got it.. I made the hills by hand w/ a hoe.. the next year I used the FEL to make the hills(garden got larger).. a lot easier then the hoe method.

I think it could be easily & cheaply made.. using an old cultivator 3pt bar.. and 2 or 4 disks blades.. skip the bed shaper section and just use a rake to smooth the top of the hills.

 

[MadReferee]

The 3pt keulavator from Agri-Supply at $139 is misleading. The complete price is just over $400 which gives you 2 hillers, 2 sweeps, and 2 shanks plus mounting hardware. Just the frame by itself is $139.

They changed the catalog description for 2004. You gotta read the fine print.

 

[nobull1]

I know this is not a option for most but our 54 International cub has hillers and cultivators that do a great job as the hydraulics are also power down.You can cultivate and re hill till the plants hit the bottom of tractor which is quite high.This is one of the only jobs that we use the cub for anymore and wouldn't be without it.There are a lot of these tractors still out there for a fair price and a great reason to buy another tractor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MarkV]

I have never done this and don't even have a garden but was wondering if you couldn't make the beds with a rear blade. With the soil well tilled and a rear blade at max angle wouldn't the windrows form beds. I have cut ditches with a blade and it works well to a point. Might even pay to buy a short 4' blade just for that purpose.

Do you think that it could work? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

MarkV

 

[revg62]

i use a 5' blade to make raised beds.started out with a row hipper set as far apart as possible & ended up with 4 rows.then i put the 5' blade on & pushed the 2 outside rows into the 2 inside.makes really wide ,deep beds.all the neighbors used to wonder if i was crazy,now they know for sure...revg62