Need a little help with decision.

[Pa Pa Jack]

I have several large areas to till up for food plots. I want to try to disturb the soil as little as possible, but cannot afford a no-till drill set-up. After doing some reading, I have come to the conclusion that a chisel plow would be better than the rototiller I already have. My one big question, in my mind at least, is what is the difference between a cultivator and a chisel plow. They both seem to do the same thing.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

What I have done is use my home made 5' cultivator/hiller/digger/you name it attachment.

I have used it with different combinations of shank spacings and digging shoes.
All seemed to work OK. Then just broadcast mixed seeds and go back over with a shallow setting.
Seems to have worked OK for this part of the country so far.

Here is a picture with all 17 shanks (3-3/4" spacing in 5' staggered front and back)
Wheels set to dig 2" deep on hard ground.
Good luck
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[creekbend]

I found a video on YouTube in regards to the dfference between a cultivator and a chisel plow. My PC is acting up. Perhaps you can search YouTube and search for some videos? Best wishes.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have several large areas to till up for food plots. I want to try to disturb the soil as little as possible, but cannot afford a no-till drill set-up. After doing some reading, I have come to the conclusion that a chisel plow would be better than the rototiller I already have. My one big question, in my mind at least, is what is the difference between a cultivator and a chisel plow. They both seem to do the same thing.

For what you are wanting to do a boxblade rippers might be a good solution too. I would probably just till it lightly with the existing tiller and use a rake or harrow to cover the seed. Getting the seed where it needs to go would be your problem without using a seedbox and drop tubes, broadcasting will require alot more seeds.

A chisel plow is made to penetrate alot deeper than a cultivator and has rigid shanks for deeper tillage. You could run it shallow but how are you going to get the seeds where you need them?

 

[Carl_NH]

Another option is to get a 8' disc used - they can turn over the first few inches of soil quickly and dont care about the roots or rocks that may be present - this might be the most efficient as well.

Then seed and disc this in more lightly across the grain from your first pass. As Jenkins said you dont want a chisel plow they go 8-12" deep.

 

[jenkinsph]

I should add that in the Rocky Mountain chain as we are both in you can't avoid hitting some rocks with the tiller. I have been at it for several years now and have lost two tiller blades but jumped alot of rocks in that time. Just make sure you have a forward rotating tiller.