Plows: Moldboard vs Disc vs Chisel vs Other

[datanull]

I want to be able to prepare a few acres of ground for a variety of uses, for example:

1) garden, yearly, where I think I would plow first pickup rocks and use small tiller to prepare seed beds.
2) plant tree seedlings.
3) plant tree seeds.
4) other one time plowing for as yet to be determined plant species.

My soil is somewhat rocky and I would describe the soil type as clay. Some sandy soils as you get close to the `river'

Currently planted with Bermuda grass (hay/pasture) and a few weeds.

At first I think I need a 12-14 inch 2 bottom moldboard but before I start spending any money I think I need to collect more data. Hopefully I have provided enough information, about task and soil conditions.

 

[SideHillBill]

Just saw your post.
Depending on your tractor, 2 bottom is probably a good choice. In heavy rocky soil it's a good idea to have 15-20 hp per 14 inch bottom, especially if the land is steep or wet. A light tractor might be helped by using tire chains. To plow small plots, a bigger plow will be too cumbersome and not save much time. Also, in small plots a mounted plow is much handier than a trailer. If your land is steep, I'd consider a rollover (2-way) plow. More expensive to buy but your wear parts (shins, points etc.) will last twice as long. Happy plowing.

 

[jenkinsph]

What model tractor are we using for this?

How many acres will you be plowing?

 

[art]

Clay tells me that your soils need help. I don't think you can change them in a short time but my recommandations would be for the chisel plow to enhance drainage as well as root gowth and more plant decomposition in the growth zone. The final tillage could be done with a tiller or lighter disc type machine although your goal would be to stay away from compacting.

If you do go with a moldboard you could use a three bottom with your tractor. With clay you will find that you can't move it fast, maybe four miles an hour max!

 

[Egon]

For just a few acres go with a rota tiller. Then you will only need the one implement.

 

[Creekside Quarters]

Moldboard plows work well, as long as they are setup correctly to your tractor, if not they can mess up a field quick. A chisel plow would probably be the fastest and then follow up with disc. Not sure what hp your tractor is but smaller chisel plows may be hard to find.

 

[datanull]

Just saw your post.
Depending on your tractor, 2 bottom is probably a good choice. In heavy rocky soil it's a good idea to have 15-20 hp per 14 inch bottom, especially if the land is steep or wet. A light tractor might be helped by using tire chains. To plow small plots, a bigger plow will be too cumbersome and not save much time. Also, in small plots a mounted plow is much handier than a trailer. If your land is steep, I'd consider a rollover (2-way) plow. More expensive to buy but your wear parts (shins, points etc.) will last twice as long. Happy plowing.

I had "decided" on a moldboard plow but realized that I very little data to base my decision on. I do believe a 2-bottom moldboard will be best suited to my needs.

Thanks for your input.

 

[datanull]

What model tractor are we using for this?

How many acres will you be plowing?

Massey Ferguson 1540. 40 HP CUT.

Acres probably less than 5. I don't know exactly.

 

[datanull]

my recommandations would be for the chisel plow to

I was under the impression that a chisel plow would require more HP than my 40. I thought it was about 10hp per chisel point.

I was looking around at my dealers on Sunday,(they were closed). They had a few chisel plows but no moldboards that I could see. Perhaps in my area chisel plows are used more than moldboards.

 

[datanull]

For just a few acres go with a rota tiller. Then you will only need the one implement.

I don't know about the rocks. Every now and then I come across a rock that seems big enough to do some damage to a tiller, and I have'nt done much digging.

 

[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