Dadnatron
Veteran Member
OK... All you Kiwi, Aussie, and Brit folk...
Why is it that you (your country) tend to use a 'mole plow/plough' rather than lay drainage tile? And... how does it work?
For you 'other' worlders...
I need to drain some pasture areas, and had basically decided I needed to buck up and put in some drainage tile. In my efforts to learn more about it, I kept seeing the term 'mole plough' tossed around. I thought this was simply an odd term for a subsoiler... but I found out I was completely wrong.
Apparently, the term is specifically related to an implement which is very similar in appearance to a single or double shank subsoiler, however, the use of it and its function are very different. Whereas a subsoiler is designed to break up hard pan to allow water and root infiltration, MOLE PLOUGHS are designed to break up the soil a little, but to a GREATER DEGREE, they are designed to create a 'dirt pipe' through which water will 'run'. (This is my understanding of the basis... so "you in the know" tell me if I am wrong.
Basically, you have a thin, sharp and long shank onto which is welded a 'torpedo' shaped end rather than lifting tooth. Behind which, a larger 'bullet/expander' is attached which slides through the hole, EXPANDING and SLICKING the sides, in an effort to create an underground waterway. Basically mimicking Drainage tile, without the pipe.
I don't see ANY in the US, but they are everywhere (at least internet wise) in the UK, Australia and especially New Zealand.
I'm interested in them because I need to drain pasture, and grass is notorious for growing roots into tile and thereby plugging it up. Also.... tile is more expensive and difficult to install.
So... Mole Ploughers... let me know what is up with this technology please! How well does it work? How long does it last? Is this done once a year, once a month, or ???
Mole Plough Explanation AU
Why is it that you (your country) tend to use a 'mole plow/plough' rather than lay drainage tile? And... how does it work?
For you 'other' worlders...
I need to drain some pasture areas, and had basically decided I needed to buck up and put in some drainage tile. In my efforts to learn more about it, I kept seeing the term 'mole plough' tossed around. I thought this was simply an odd term for a subsoiler... but I found out I was completely wrong.
Apparently, the term is specifically related to an implement which is very similar in appearance to a single or double shank subsoiler, however, the use of it and its function are very different. Whereas a subsoiler is designed to break up hard pan to allow water and root infiltration, MOLE PLOUGHS are designed to break up the soil a little, but to a GREATER DEGREE, they are designed to create a 'dirt pipe' through which water will 'run'. (This is my understanding of the basis... so "you in the know" tell me if I am wrong.
Basically, you have a thin, sharp and long shank onto which is welded a 'torpedo' shaped end rather than lifting tooth. Behind which, a larger 'bullet/expander' is attached which slides through the hole, EXPANDING and SLICKING the sides, in an effort to create an underground waterway. Basically mimicking Drainage tile, without the pipe.
I don't see ANY in the US, but they are everywhere (at least internet wise) in the UK, Australia and especially New Zealand.
I'm interested in them because I need to drain pasture, and grass is notorious for growing roots into tile and thereby plugging it up. Also.... tile is more expensive and difficult to install.
So... Mole Ploughers... let me know what is up with this technology please! How well does it work? How long does it last? Is this done once a year, once a month, or ???
Mole Plough Explanation AU