is it normal....

/ is it normal.... #1  

Garrabo

Banned
Joined
Jul 22, 2003
Messages
573
Location
GA
Tractor
3120,X-575,BX1830,BX22
to have to make several passes with a sub soiler on hard clay
ground before achieving some depth??
 
/ is it normal.... #2  
You will need to change the attack angle of the subsoiler blade. Shorten the top link to penetrate better and dive down. The problem with this is that you will then have to either lengthen the link or lift the 3pt to prevent too much downward movement. Heavy clay will cause so much resistance due to the friction against the blade that it will pull your tractor right "into" the ground, stalling your movement.

I have a hydraulic top link and it is very useful with the subsoiler - short to get the blade started, lengthen to allow the tractor to keep moving forward.

See also:
Scorecard:: Clay & Sub-Soiler: 2, Tractors: 0
Subsoiler or Middlebuster info
 
/ is it normal.... #3  
I know a few people who have had to do just that in hard clay soils, sometimes making as many as 3 good passes to get the desired depth. I suppose it could even take more passes, depending on just how compact and dry.

A subsoiler, as pointed out, can really drag the rear end down into the dirt, but just experimenting with the top link/angle, you'll get the hang of it. I've even heard the suggestion that one water the area well for a few hours before beginning to help the sub soiler out a little.
I have sandy soil, so I don't have the problem here.
John
 
/ is it normal.... #4  
<font color="blue">to have to make several passes with a sub soiler on hard clay
ground before achieving some depth?? </font>

Best time of year to subsoil is spring or late fall, working WITH mother nature and better soil conditions. During the dry months, these other suggestions will help, however, it is a uphill battle--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Over 40 Good Used Cultipackers in Stock Today*
 
/ is it normal.... #5  
John,
I had adobe soil in California. I only had a small hunk of property to work but I could not work the soil with out watering it for a day with sprinklers, let it set for a couple of days and it worked up great as well as being real fertile. Adding a little gypsum also worked wonders.
Farwell
 
 

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