Plows: Moldboard vs Disc vs Chisel vs Other

[Egon]

Rocks oh lovely rocks!

The roto tiller should have a slip clutch properly adjusted or use shear pins.

On my 42 in. Buhler tiller the large rocks are not a problem as the tiller bounces off them. The small rocks create problems if they are carried over and jam between a tine and the tiller shell.

Attached some pictures of areas I have tilled and some of the rocks removed.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think Egon is spot on.

I know that when rototilling with a forward tine unit it will jump the large rocks and will occasionally jam a fist sized rock. With a properly adjusted slip clutch you will be okay.
For the cost of implements and the acreage you specified I would go with a tiller with a working depth about 8 inches and find a section harrow to smooth over seedlings.

I wouldn't think about chisel plows and disks for that size plot.


Steve

 

[scrapironford]

A plow either moldboard or disc plow will turn the top few inches of ground over buring weed seed to deep to grow, give you rocks to plant a rock garden, wake up the bermuda grass to grow. A disc break up large pieces of dirt after plow, loosen top few inches of soil making plowing easier, wake up bermuda grass to grow. Chisel plow , mixes top few inches of soil around ,considered minimun tillage,lot of residue left at or on surface, makes bermuda grass spread and grow faster. Tiller,one or two passes mixes about 8 inches of soil very good ready to plant, bermuda grass wraps around all parts plugging tiller and has a great place to grow. The bermuda grass needs to be elminated before much tillage can be done,as this is a great way to help it spread and grow. I like strong solution of Roundup sprayed in high volumes of water for good coverage as bermuda is hard to kill. You have to decide which method of tillage is best for your land,time and equipment. scrapironford