Sub-soiler/Middle Buster

[demote]

I thinking of purchasing a combo sub-soiler/middle buster. link
My immdediate need is to bury some cable but it seems this combo unit would be useful. My question is will the middle buster serve as
a plow or am I misunderstanding the use of this implement?
I would appreciate any input. Danny

 

[chriswheeler]

I bought the plow version that is called by some a patatoe plow ( middle buster ) for cutting irrigation trenches and putting some drip irrigation lines underground. Turns out that we plan to try to grow a row or two of potatoes as well and might get to try using it for what it is intended for, digging potatoes out. Mine cost right at $100 out the door. I can sink the plow as deep as the tractor 3 point will let it go and cut a ditch with little or no load on the tractor. ( 33 HP ) Didn't get the hitch attachment or the subsoiler that went with the combo unit that was about $50 more. Already had a nice home made handy hitch for ball tow and couldn't figure out what I'd need the subsoiler for. Happy with the middle buster though, money well spent so far.
Chris

 

[beenthere]

IMO a middle buster won't serve as a plow, but it will tear up the ground (plow somewhat like when you see an oxen pulling a stick through the ground in undeveloped countries on TV).

The middle buster will toss some sod to the sides and leave a dirt trench. A plow will turn the sod over and lay it in the furrow, leaving roots and dirt showing on top.
Now granted, a plow not adjusted right will do about what the middle buster will do, but it's not designed to just root up the ground. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[clattin]

I'm also considering buying a middlebuster to do some trenching, both for electrical conduit to my barn and for drainage. I like the price ($118) of this one at tractor supply much better! Tractor Supply Middlebuster

 

[Bob_Skurka]

For what it is worth, I bought the Howse combo unit from Northern Tool. It came with a sub-soiler, a middle-buster and a trailer hitch. The combo units had a system using 2 bolts to change the blades and their shafts. I removed the bolts and replaced them with top link pins so I could change implements without the use of tools (handy when you change things around a lot).

I modified the sub-soiler by drilling 2 holes in the trailing edge, using hose clamps to attach some plastic pipe and that turned it into a cable layer.

I also made up (help of my neighbor) a fork lift unit that mounts on the frame. I also used the frame to pull up about 350 feet of fence posts.

Here is a link to the modified sub-soiler Sub-Soiler & Cable Layer

Here is a photo of the whole unit with pallet forks Howse modified "do all"

I've also designed, but not welded up yet, a small tree/shrub toothed blade to rip them out of the ground. And a sod cutter to cut out strips of sod.

 

[Tom_H]

Your soil type is the first consideration. I have the combo unit from Northern. I have hard adobe clay soil. Each will only drag across the surface. They should work in sandy loam. To work in my soil, I'd need to pile a ton of ballast on top and then have a 5 ton tractor pulling it. No exaggeration. You must first consider soil type and secondly the tractor weight and pulling ability.

 

[DocHeb]

If you're not penetrating into clay, it may be the result of your top-link not being short enough. Bob Skurka and I have used subsoilers in pure clay - a hydraulic toplink is very helpful. Pull the toplink in very short to have the blade dig in, and then once it has "dived-in", lengthen it enough so you're not pulling your tractor into the earth.

 

[demote]

For my needs, it may be that I really only need the middle buster but if the combo unit also can serve as a trailer hitch, I could make use of that as well. It's not mentioned on the Northern Tool website. There's a large Northern store in Atlanta (about 70 mi. away) if I could look at them but I suspect these items may be mail order only.

 

[Tom_H]

Thanks, I'll try that. This is adobe clay. When It's dry, it is literally rock hard. No exaggeration at all.

 

[Laminarman]

Would said unit be helpful in shale, volutia type soil prior to discing a previously plowed/planted field? I'm thinking I could use one to get the soil "fluffed" up and allow more air to deeper reaches of soil. I imagine I'd pull the middle buster back and forth across my acre or two, then disc, then plant. After a hard winter and dead stuff being compacted, discing isn't real easy. I need to disc, wait a few days, disc, wait for rain, disc, wait a week, disc...etc. Getting old now with limited time.