Novice help: planting things, plow/disk or harrow?

ljh2 · Apr 13, 2004

Laminarman,

I'm sure that your TC40 should have no problem pulling a 2 bottom plow. I'll agree with Egon and Cowboydoc that you would be better off working the soil and applying the neccessary amendments (lime and fertilizer) to improve the soil. I'll also agree that a 'green manure' crop will make a great contribution to your soil condition.

I'd definitely suggest that you walk the area well though and mark any rock outcroppings that may prove to be immovable so you don't damage your plow though. Plowing at around 4mph will turn over the soil nicely, but will bend your plow frame if you hang it up on a protruding bit of bedrock. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

If you have a potential run-off problem, be sure to leave a green-space catchment area to contain your soil and practice contour plowing where neccessary.

Chemicals like Roundup have their place, but if you are going to turn the soil, you'll be better off turning that GREEN matter under to recapture the nitrogen and minerals. Also like Egon said the seeds already present won't be affected by the Roundup, and if you are planning to plant seed here, you don't want to apply a pre-emergent chemical.

The TSC guy wasn't giving you the best of advice. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif He wants to sell you a lot of expensive chemicals and extra seed.

Get yourself that 2-bottom plow and a 7' lift disk and tractor on. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Laminarman · Apr 13, 2004

You guys are all the best. Larry, thanks for the advice. I can't wait to tractor on. I'm sitting here waiting for the NH guy to call me. Financing is being done as I type, and he's hooking the bucket up today....YEHAAH. But sadly I'm crazy busy right now at work, then have to cut out of town for a birthday party...ugh....and can't take delivery until the following weekend. All the while I'll drive by her on my way to work and back, just sitting there waiting. This is terrible. I can't sleep I'm so excited!

ljh2 · Apr 13, 2004

These two weeks are going to feel soooo loonnnggg! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Hang in there. You'll have it for a long time. At least you are busy to help pass the time. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Robert_in_NY · Apr 13, 2004

Have you hooked the 3-14 up behind your 1920 yet? The 1920 is only 7 hp less then the TC 40 and weighs almost 2900 lbs ( I don't know the TC 40 weight as NH does not like to post that info). I run a 3-16 behind a FWA TN 65 and going up a incline or plowing into heavy spots will lug the TN down some (and lets not even start about if the ground is a little wet on top as weight is a big item there). I know from experience that my FWA 1920 will not pull my 3-16 which is only a tad bit bigger then a 3-14 in my ground. Heck, it don't even like it being anywhere near it. The compact tractors are designed for pto work as you said. The older tractors had narrow ag tires which gave it plenty of traction. These new compacts come with wide R-4's and R-1's which do not give you any bite compared to the skinnier 11.2's that most of the older tractors had. Plus the gearing is all different as the older tractors were designed to pull with pto being a bonus. Without knowing the soil he is trying to pull thru I would very much doubt his TC 40 will pull a 3-14 unless he had smaller R-1's and sandy soil. Plus for as small an acerage he is talking, a rototiller would be an ideal tool for him.

Laminarman · Apr 13, 2004

Again I'll be pulling in hard scrabble type crap. Soil definitely needs some work. I was hoping to do a 2 bottom if I could, but would live with a one bottom. Certainly if I had to plow 30 acres I wouldn't do it, I'd contract that out. I thought about a tiller but held off since over time I will plow at least five to ten acres and didn't want to have that high of a wear item. Also, what am I supposed to do about all the rocks the plow pulls up, take them out with a rake? I didn't know if I could disc over them. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Inspector507 · Apr 13, 2004

2003 TC40 shipping weights

2WD-2998 lbs
FWD-3147 lbs

Robert_in_NY · Apr 14, 2004

Your machine will handle a 2 bottom easily. As for rocks, if you only have a few rocks just pick them up as you go. If you have a loader just toss them in there, if not build a rock box on top of your disc and place them in there. The added weight will allow the disc to dig in even better. If you have a lot of rocks (like one every couple foot) then you can get either a tow behind rock picker that picks up the rocks and stores them in a bin till you dump the bin where you want to, or get a set of rock forks for your loader. These you can just scoop the rocks out of the soil with only the loader. Just dump the loader at the end of each pass otherwise you will be getting a lot of rocks in there if there are any amount.

I will suggest if you are going to do any amount that you get a fixed frame transport disc. I do not know how small they make anymore but around here we have plenty of vineyard disc which are 5 feet wide. If you could find a 6' or even a 8' disc then you will be set (I am not sure how well you will handle the 8 though).

Robert_in_NY · Apr 14, 2004

Thanks, I didn't think there was much difference in weight.

theboman · Apr 14, 2004

Well last year I tried raising chickens but had horrible luck, I guess all the spring rain took it's toll or maybe I planted them too deep.
You don't become a master gardener overnight.