Removing poly twine from fields

[zzvyb6]

I'd go back to the tiller and use a propane weed burner to quickly melt it off. Don't worry, the seals won't get damaged if you keep it simple & quick. But, there will be short sections/strands that will remain. Just went thru this at a horse facility so I know it works pretty well.

 

[5030]

Stuff is strong, especially when in multiple strands.

 

[Hay Dude]

I recently had a discussion with the local Kubota service manager and asked him if they had any issues with Kubota axle seals. He said they never had issues except when baler twine gets wrapped around them and destroys the seal.

Happened to me.

 

[jaxs]

Chisel plow with enough shanks removed to allow 45 hp to pull it or rent a larger tractor for a day then go back to 45 hp with all shanks.

 

[oldnslo]

Chisel shanks will also build up with twine so be prepared to cut it off. Chisel also leaves a very rough surface - ride for future tillage.
S tine cultivator will pull more out after sod is busted up.

Mold board plow will also get twine build up on every bottom but turning it will be much smoother ride for field cultivator on follow up passes.

Burning won’t do much if twine is buried.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I found a ton of film buried when tilling once. It wrapped up in such a ball so fast I couldnt shut it down fast enough. I think the original house on my property was buried down the hill.

Ripper and a torch.

 

[Bloemie]

Had some bad experiences with poly in hay fields I rent. That stuff will destroy the bearings in a disc mower real quick, almost as quick as it will destroy the bearings in a lawnmower.

Poly is nice because the mice won't eat it but I cannot think of any other advantage and it becomes a real disadvantage when some 'idiot' (I use that term lightly) is too lazy to pick it up and dispose of it properly.

Poly will remain in state (on or in the ground) for eons.

Only thing I use it for here is row marker lines for the garden and in the fall, it gets tossed in the garbage.

Just look at the 'Plastic Tide' that is floating in the ocean if you want a reality check.

Amen - A single use plastic - that keeps giving

 

[Bloemie]

Stuff is strong, especially when in multiple strands.

It bunches into a 1"-3" thick rope if you dont snap it with the addition of all the grass and roots. When you hit smaller bunches and snap it, you left with ends that you cant pull out still buried in the grass and rip grass out with 4" to 6" of soil and all leaving bare earth in 10x10ft patches. It stitches into the grass. Luckily the previous farmer seemed to have certain areas he always took the hay - so it does not cover the whole place.

 

[Bloemie]

I tilled up a new garden in the corner of a 5 acre building lot one spring for the new owner. We found out real soon that one of the previous owners used it for feeding a few beef cows for a few years.

My tiller did an excellent job of picking up the nylon twine. The garden was about 75' by 150'. After the first pass I had to stop and spend a few minutes cutting a 6" by 5' ball of twine out of the tines at the end of every pass.

The second time through the garden picked up any stragglers.

It cost that guy a lot of cash for me to remove the twine but he was very appreciative to have a clean garden.

PS. A sharp/new linoleum knife with a home made extra long handle made removing the mess much easier and saved the day.

Was that with a rototiller straight, plow first? What was your process and any lessons learnt? I did a test patch with my woods rotototiller and spent 30 min cutting it loose. Will try the linoleum knife!

 

[Bloemie]

I'd go back to the tiller and use a propane weed burner to quickly melt it off. Don't worry, the seals won't get damaged if you keep it simple & quick. But, there will be short sections/strands that will remain. Just went thru this at a horse facility so I know it works pretty well.

zzvyb6

Was that a rototiller. I will try a torch to remove it. Any lessons learnt?

Watching me pull on those strands that disappear into the earth left over - is good for anyone needing a laugh. Fell on my a$$ more than once when one suddenly freed up.