Hay King Pasture Renovator

[sweettractors]

Hi Kyle and Ed,

I'm considering the 3 or 4 shank model, and am wondering how my Deere 3520 will work with either of these. The 3520 is 37 hp and weighs approx. 3000 lbs. The tractor has R4 tires on it.

I'm in Central Texas and my soil is clay loam to clay that has never been plowed. I want to open up the soil to improve drainage and aeration.

Any thoughts on tractor hp and weight to effectively get the shanks as deep as possible?

Appreciate anything that you can share from experience.

- Spindifferent

We sell the Hay King and have for years. The New C-4 is priced at $1629 + shipping. The C-3 is not a size that is usually in stock at the distributor. I talked with the sales rep this morning and he thinks 37 HP would probably be OK with the C-4 depending on how tight the soil is and the type soil and how deep you were pulling it. The C-4 700 pounds will be no problem for that tractor. Ken Sweet

 

[EdinLa]

Spindifferent:

I am sure you can use the four place with any tractor, but several conditions will dictate just how much work you can get done, and how hard it will be on your tractor.

...We had a very dry fall here. I waited into late October hoping rain would 'soften' things up. We finally got an inch or so and I went to work. I had about twelve acres to renovate the second year and ten acres that hadn't been renovated before.

My old 57 hp(52pto) tractor seemed to work well on the previously renovated pasture, with the lone exception of a pipeline crossing. When the pipeline was put in, it was apparently capped with clay to protect the site, and was still very hard from a lack of rain. The tractor was stopped dead in its tracks numerous times while crossing that pipeline. ...There just wasn't enough power and traction to pull the renovator through that hard clay. I would have to back up, raise the renovator about half of the depth, and pull it on through. I was able to cut it, but a tractor much smaller would have not had a chance at all.

..The ten acres that had never been renovated went well, but the renovator rode fairly high most of the time. ...Definitely a lesson in the differences soil and conditions can make on tractor demand. ...If you have dry tight clay, you are going to need a lot of horsepower to run a four place renovator, while tight sandy loam will likely be done with a much smaller tractor. ...I think it is safe to assume that tractor demand from the renovator diminishes significantly in successive years. ....And you can always pick the renovator up and cut only as deep as the tractor is capable of for the first year or so. ..I have done that to some extent, and am seeing significant improvements in tractor demand.

This past year has been an absolute failure in my pastures, but I am still encouraged that things are looking much better. It is a rarity in this area to have extreme drought in the Spring, only to be followed by more drought in late summer and early Fall. ...I have again done the renovating, spraying, and clover seeding; waiting on a new year, with new expectations.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Good to hear from you Ed. Sorry for the drought conditions. It has been brutal over here in Giddings too for most of the last 4 years. Can't seem to get any timely summer rains in late June, July and August. I give up on my vegetable garden during these months as I have to buy city water.

My little 4310 JD would pull it about 1/2 of full depth (4"). I had to fill the FEL with dirt and put it in 4WD to get enough traction. The soil was somewhat moist but not wet. It put a bind on it but I probably ran it about 2 or 3 acres worth just to see. I then put it behind the 5420 and it pulled it no sweat.

 

[Spindifferent]

Thanks Ed and Kyle!

I think I'm going to move forward and purchase a C-4.

Will post pics and experiences once I get it in the ground.

Here are a couple pics of the new Tufline 1S-24 Subsoiler. It is a monster!

Much obliged,

Spindifferent

 

[TDVT]

Here are a couple pics of the new Tufline 1S-24 Subsoiler. It is a monster!

Spindifferent

I LOVE that!

How's it working?

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Thanks Ed and Kyle!

I think I'm going to move forward and purchase a C-4.

Will post pics and experiences once I get it in the ground.

Here are a couple pics of the new Tufline 1S-24 Subsoiler. It is a monster!

Much obliged,

Spindifferent

Tuffline = STRONG

Watch out for rocks!

 

[Spindifferent]

Hi TDVT,

The subsoiler is working out very well with the JD 3520. The parabolic shape of the shank is actually more efficient than the typical straight-shank subsoiler.

I've used both types of subsoilers, and the Tufline is much easier to pull.

I've had the shank down to the 24" limit with no problems pulling it in 4WD. My soil is a clay to clay loam with few rocks or roots. The soil still has some moisture in it, so that probably helps.

A couple other features that I really like about the subsoiler is that is has a grade 5 shear bolt, a parking stand, and weighs 229 pounds.

Overall, very happy with it.

- Spindifferent

 

[TDVT]

Hi TDVT,

The subsoiler is working out very well with the JD 3520. The parabolic shape of the shank is actually more efficient than the typical straight-shank subsoiler.

I've used both types of subsoilers, and the Tufline is much easier to pull.

Overall, very happy with it.

- Spindifferent

Thanks for the info.

I've never used either kind & nearly bought a lighter weight one last fall but it looked too wimpy to hold up to our VERY rocky soil here. I can see where the parabolic shank would be much more efficient & more rugged too.

I need one more for drain-pipe projects than ag use at this point but sure I could find all kinds of uses. Just don't want to hit too much ledge with it.

 

[sweettractors]

Hi TDVT,

The subsoiler is working out very well with the JD 3520. The parabolic shape of the shank is actually more efficient than the typical straight-shank subsoiler.

I've used both types of subsoilers, and the Tufline is much easier to pull.

I've had the shank down to the 24" limit with no problems pulling it in 4WD. My soil is a clay to clay loam with few rocks or roots. The soil still has some moisture in it, so that probably helps.

A couple other features that I really like about the subsoiler is that is has a grade 5 shear bolt, a parking stand, and weighs 229 pounds.

Overall, very happy with it.

- Spindifferent

We have sold the Tufline subsoilers for over 20 years and there is no better subsoiler on the martket. I own a 1S-28 and when I subsoil in the summer and the soil is a little dry, you can actually see the earth move on the suface a foot or 2 away from the paraboilic shank. Ken Sweet

 

[AirForceIP]

Im wanting to re-seed 15-20 acres. After you run the renovator, do you use a drill to get the seed in the ground, or just use a spreader?