Subsoler / Seeling Planter

[SEEDSNTREES]

OK, I'm going to ask.

Has anyone ever modified (add a V-type wing) to a single shank sub soiler (Fred Cain) to open a 3" trench to plant pine tree seedlings?

Heavy soils, norhtern Wisconsin application, about 1,000 seedlings.

I'm listening to advice, perhaps I have the wrong implement idea for the job.

Thanks,

 

[ihookem]

Good qestion, I think it would work good. My grandpa used to use a one till plow and then we would plant seedlings in the "ditch". I wouldn't do it this way though. The last few years we have been useing a rottotiller, this makes planting seedlings and even 4 yr old trees easy to plant. The problem is it makes for a very good seed bed for weeds. Next year I am going to buy a soil buster that Kingcutter makes and sells at Northern Tool for 164 bucks. This digs down about a foot but doesn't make a seed bed. Will just use a tree planter to dig the hole.

 

[art]

You might want to look at the Holland transplanter for some ideas. They are made in your state and are widely known and used.

 

[Tritonman]

I used the 1 row subsoiler to plant trees with. I ran contours with the hill side and had to add some weight to the subsoiler and hit it twice but it did a nice job and the trench catches water nicely.

 

[Drexel]

I Tried the KK single plow to plant 100 seedlings in heavy clay soil. The plow was over kill and left mostly large clods with no loose dirt to pull up around the seedlings. I then used the sub-soiler, did a much nicer job. Didn't tear up so much, fewer clods and left more loose soil to pack around the seedlings. In the heavy clay I have I had to add weight to the sub-soiler and go over the area twice.

 

[Taylortractornut]

I have a united Middle buster/ subsoiler made by United. you can change the heads to go between. A fellow called me at work the other day knowing I weld on the side and asked about making such. He had a similar plow MB so I unbolted the foot and bought one for a subsoiler at United. Then on top of that I weled a set of 5/16 by 3 inch plated formed in a V shpe with the point facing forward. and added and arm to the top of that to run a 14 inch coulter wheel to slice the sod.. The coulter will dig in fisrt slicing the sod and the blade will pull it down. and the v will push back the sides and leave a pressed clear cavity for the seeedling. I think that it could use a sharper longer V and leave off the sub soiler tip. It would be alot more like a Holland planter then. They use a small sod roller to pac down the seedlings.

 

[flusher]

OK, I'm going to ask.

Has anyone ever modified (add a V-type wing) to a single shank sub soiler (Fred Cain) to open a 3" trench to plant pine tree seedlings?

Heavy soils, norhtern Wisconsin application, about 1,000 seedlings.

I'm listening to advice, perhaps I have the wrong implement idea for the job.

Thanks,

I added cultivator sweep to my KK middle buster/subsoiler to cut trenches (~4" wide x 12" deep) for my landscape irrigation. Available from AgriSupply

0623060502 6 X 1/4 CULTIVATOR SWEEP - Agri Supply

Pulled it with my 21 hp (engine) Kubota B7510HST.

 

[Champy]

Apologies for the late bump on this topic, but I've been off the site for some time.....

FYI - I've been playing with this tree planter concept for some time now. I've gone from Dibble bars, to PHD's, to potato plows, etc.... Regarding the original poster's question, I've already tried the modified subsoiler with mixed results. My prototype (see pic) worked mostly "ok" in soil that I had disked and dragged to loosen it up. On sod it only opened up a small trench, and did not allow for any compression or compaction to close the opening.

I believe the design needs to be modified to become: 1) taller; 2) narrower; and 3) swept back further. The prototype would open up a gap but allowed too much soil to drop back into the cut, so I think the "wedge" needs to be adjusted to be narrower/taller which would allow me to place the evergreen seedlings (bare root) into the gap before the opening closed.

Some other additions I am considering are 1) coulter to cut sod; and 2) offset implement wheels/tires or a drag to close the planting cut back up once the seedling has been placed.....and yes if I just added a seat I might have a normal planter which you can buy - but what fun is that? Besides I don't want to spend $3-4k when I only plant about 1k of seedlings each Spring.

 

[Champy]

P.S. - I'll probably play with this a bit during the winter and weld up a better designed wedge to modify the subsoiler approach - one that is removable. I believe that I can get this to work for my needs by hanging the seedling bags on the SS and then set them while walking behind the tractor in low gear.....or better yet have my son do it while I drive!

 

[JiminGa]

dang, we planted close to 200 acres of Christmas trees with dibble irons when I was a kid...sure wish TBN was around back then!