Options - Tiller or Plow & Disc?

[Bartcephus]

I agree with the plow/disk/harrow for 9 acres. I have a tiller, and it does great, but I find that I need to compact the soil before planting so that still leaves at least another trip over the same ground. If the soil is too "fluffy" the seeds won't germinate. There is a balance, but I think that you need to determine what method you are going to use based upon the soil conditions.

You indicated that this was plowed for years before. I would think that you should be able to get by with plow/disk/harrow better and that is the reason I agree with the others suggesting plow/disk/harrow. Besides, you don't have to hook up the pto when changing these implements. :thumbsup:

Bart

 

[flusher]

Okay for those who have a lot more experience than I have, I would appreciate any input. I am planning to upgrade my tractor to facilitate some farming tasks that I have planned for my property. I have 9 acres that used to be plowed by a neighbour several years ago and has been idle now for 3-4 years. My plan was to bush hog everything and then prep the soil this fall for next Spring's plantings (potatoes, barley, wheat). My new tractor is going to be a Kubota MX5100 HST and I'm trying to decide whether to purchase a KK tiller 72" or purchase a two bottom plow and disc harrow (would I need a drag harrow as well?). There is not a huge price difference between the two different options:

KK 72" $2140

Two bottom plow $800-1100 depending on manufacturer and model
Disc $800-1100 depending on manufacturer and model

So what I know of the two options: tiller will be slower but will make a very nice fine soil. Plowing and disc is faster but soil will have larger clumps of soil.

I'm sure there are a lot of opinions, just wondering what makes sense for my purposes. The 9 acres will have some stones even though many were removed and made into walls years ago. The top 12-16" are loam and then clay for about 12".

Tks.

Rototillers are for small home gardens and small size row crop vegetable farms--not for hay farmers doing field cultivation. Tillers eventually clobber the soil microstructure to the point where drainage problems become critical. Figure if you rototill your 9 acres, you're going to have to apply manure, worm casings, compost, etc. to restore the soil's tilth, probably every year. And unless your tractor has a hydrostatic tranny, rototilling can be an aggrevation since your ground speed is limited to 1 mph or so to get the rototiller to work effectively. Also, rocks can do a number on the tiller tines.

Better to use a plow and disc for your field. If clumps are a problem, attach a home made drag to your disc. Or tow a cultipacker behind the disc.

Here's what I use for my 6-acre hayfield. It's thin gravely loam. The good soil is only 4-5 inches thick so I use the offset disc for primary tillage. Don't use a moldboard plow.

 

[newbury]

Following this thread would you all advise a plow/disc/harrow combo for starting food plots in land that was clearcut (and stumps pulled) five years ago and has reseeded to pine?

Most plots will require me reclearing pines that are now about 2" to 4" DBH, most which I can just pull out with my B7610 when the soil is wet.

 

[BMW]

I have all three. I bought a tiller with the tractor, picked up a used two bottom plow for $200 and have a draw-bar set of discs that came with the property. I don't work that kind of acreage, just garden plots of various sizes. I have to admit that plowing is all kinds of fun and I've been known to use all three just to add seat time....tractor therapy as it were. On a previously worked plot just the tiller is enough but recently I usually plow then till. I also lay out the garden so I can till between rows to keep the weeds down.

 

[BMW]

WooHoo 100 posts! and it only took me 10 years. Maybe I should contribute more, but someone usually beats me to what I have to say and I don't want to be redundant.

 

[OrangeToys]

Okay for those who have a lot more experience than I have, I would appreciate any input. I am planning to upgrade my tractor to facilitate some farming tasks that I have planned for my property. I have 9 acres that used to be plowed by a neighbour several years ago and has been idle now for 3-4 years. My plan was to bush hog everything and then prep the soil this fall for next Spring's plantings (potatoes, barley, wheat). My new tractor is going to be a Kubota MX5100 HST and I'm trying to decide whether to purchase a KK tiller 72" or purchase a two bottom plow and disc harrow (would I need a drag harrow as well?). There is not a huge price difference between the two different options:

KK 72" $2140

Two bottom plow $800-1100 depending on manufacturer and model
Disc $800-1100 depending on manufacturer and model

So what I know of the two options: tiller will be slower but will make a very nice fine soil. Plowing and disc is faster but soil will have larger clumps of soil.

I'm sure there are a lot of opinions, just wondering what makes sense for my purposes. The 9 acres will have some stones even though many were removed and made into walls years ago. The top 12-16" are loam and then clay for about 12".

Tks.

Any update?

 

[nybirdman]

I work up about ten acres of garden and food plots every year.Lot of rocks in the north-east.I have an old two bottom plow I use to start and roto-till.I tried a three point disc;not heavy enough,took multiple trips to do what the tiller would do in one.I also have a spring tooth harrow ,I use this after planting to cover the seeds and level.
With the tiller I make sure the slip clutch is working and the discharge flap is wide open.I mostly spits the rocks out the back.