sub soiler not digging in

GaryS · Oct 22, 2006

I bought a King Kutter XB Middle Buster/Sub-Soiler. I just tried it out and it just skips across the top of the ground. I didn't attach the furrower and perhaps that's the problem. I also just recently got a pair of the Pats Easy Change connectors which push the Middle Buster further out. I can't get it to be vertical with the top link I have. I know I'm doing something wrong.

Barnboy · Oct 22, 2006

I have a KK Middle Buster. I too have problems with the sub soil attachment. I found it works better if i dont put the 3pth in float. A little weight would help. The 14" plow actually pulls itself into the ground.

Bob_Skurka · Oct 22, 2006

You may have to buy a different (longer) toplink. My initial suggestion was going to be to lengthen your toplink. As you are already as long as you can go, then my next suggested solution is a longer toplink.

Slamfire · Oct 22, 2006

An even better solution would to be sell the Pat's and get a quick hitch from Harbor Freight. That will set your top link out even with the bottom, and you'll be able to extend it far enough to get the subsoiler to dig in.

Nuru · Oct 22, 2006

GaryS said:
I bought a King Kutter XB Middle Buster/Sub-Soiler. I just tried it out and it just skips across the top of the ground. I didn't attach the furrower and perhaps that's the problem. I also just recently got a pair of the Pats Easy Change connectors which push the Middle Buster further out. I can't get it to be vertical with the top link I have. I know I'm doing something wrong.

I did not buy the combo unit for that very reason, it looked like it might not dig as deep As I wanted to go. With the KK subsoiler, I can go down to 14 inches pretty easily

GaryS · Oct 22, 2006

Slamfire said:
An even better solution would to be sell the Pat's and get a quick hitch from Harbor Freight. That will set your top link out even with the bottom, and you'll be able to extend it far enough to get the subsoiler to dig in.

I'm still trying to figure out the Pat's. Yesterday I also got a RFM and noticed that it had popped out of the hitch too. So far I don't have the warm and fuzzies about this solution.

johnk · Oct 22, 2006

The XB equipment is made for sub compact tractors. I don't think yours is a subby.... That might have something to do with it.. Just a thought.

Nightrain1 · Oct 22, 2006

I bought the same subsoiler and my Mahindra 3510 broke it in half in about 20 ft. Went back to TSC and they told me that subsoiler was good for about 25 hp tractor. I asked if they had a larger one and they did, but had to order. He also agreed if I would pony up the extra cash for the difference, he would give me another one. We checked the price out and it was actually cheaper then the smaller version by a few dollars. The KK yellow subsoiler I now have, is Much better then the first model I purchased....

GaryS · Oct 22, 2006

johnk said:
The XB equipment is made for sub compact tractors. I don't think yours is a subby.... That might have something to do with it.. Just a thought.

Dang - you're right. There's nothing on the TSC site and I didn't notice that the link on KK site said "sub compact products". I was going to post yesterday that the sub soiler looked a bit too small. Well, it's going back.

GaryS · Oct 22, 2006

Nightrain1 said:
... We checked the price out and it was actually cheaper then the smaller version by a few dollars. The KK yellow subsoiler I now have, is Much better then the first model I purchased....

I just checked the TSC web site and the yellow one is a bit more expensive. I paid $128 for the XB and the yellow one is $149. Regardless, this one is going back.

Did you have good luck with the yellow one? This one barely scratches the surface.

Nightrain1 · Oct 22, 2006

I used mine for making ditches and it has worked well. I had to watch it or it would dig to deep. It also worked in my pond bed, breaking up the hard clay making easier work for the fel to remove the dirt.

johnk · Oct 22, 2006

Buy the middle buster and you can buy the sub soiler point for about $20.00 more or vice versa. It is on the same frame so all you have to do is unbolt the middlebuster 1 bolt I think and attach the subsoiler point and you have the best of both worlds....All the orange King Kutter stuff ius for sub compacts....

GaryS · Oct 22, 2006

johnk said:
Buy the middle buster and you can buy the sub soiler point for about $20.00 more or vice versa. It is on the same frame so all you have to do is unbolt the middlebuster 1 bolt I think and attach the subsoiler point and you have the best of both worlds....All the orange King Kutter stuff ius for sub compacts....

Are you saying the yellow KK sub soiler and the orange middle buster are the same product? The middle buster comes with a sub soiler plate which is all the I had installed and this wasn't digging in at all. Here's a link that shows both things: XB Middle Buster

I'd assume that the sub compat product would be a bit smaller & lighter than the standard one.

Barnboy · Oct 22, 2006

I bought the yellow KK Middle buster and made the subsoiler point out of a 1/4" plate. I also had to modify the unit to fit the quick hitch. Here is a photo of my modified KK middle buster

johnk · Oct 22, 2006

Garys,

They have the orange sub soiler XB and the middle buster XB that are for the subs with interchangeable ends {plow furrow and sub soiler} and also the yellow sub soiler [for compacts & up} with interchangeable ends also. I don't know if the ends [Sub soiler and plow ] are the same between the Orange XB and the yellow attacthments for compacts. The actual size of the attachments and heft is different between the XB and compact. Buy the yellow middle buster and get the subsoiler point and you'll be all set.

johnk · Oct 22, 2006

Is the point offest to the side. It appears that way in the pic.....

kwolfe · Oct 23, 2006

I think that your problem is two fold. First, you need to get a longer top link. Lengthening the top link should get you a more agressive bite with the SS. Second, you may want to consider adding some weight (my 220lb brother in law works great for hard stuff).

The XB atttachments fromw my experience are built using the same guage material as the larger implements, however there geometry makes them slightly shorter to work with the lower linkage of subcuts. I don't think you should worry about breaking it.

firemanpat2910 · Oct 23, 2006

After reviewing the pictures several times and using all my CSI like analitical powers the answer became clear, Move tractor off paved surface and onto the dirt.

(sorry just a little monday morning sarcasim) I do agrre that one looks too small

OrangeGuy · Oct 23, 2006

Replace the blunt point with a 2" straight chisel plow point. This "banana" shaped shovel has a sharp point and curved shape that easily penetrates hard soil. Its called straight because you can get twisted versions as well. Any farm store should have them for around $12.

OrangeGuy

flusher · Oct 23, 2006

GaryS said:
I bought a King Kutter XB Middle Buster/Sub-Soiler. I just tried it out and it just skips across the top of the ground. I didn't attach the furrower and perhaps that's the problem. I also just recently got a pair of the Pats Easy Change connectors which push the Middle Buster further out. I can't get it to be vertical with the top link I have. I know I'm doing something wrong.

I have that KK combo and it's no problem to bury the subsoiler 8 inches or more with my 21-hp Kubota B7510HST. I adjusted the top link some to get the shaft of the subsoiler nearly vertical and the ground was fairly soft (I did this last Spring during the rainy season). I'm waiting until the Nov rains come before using the subsoiler to install sprinkler pipe.