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!

 

[kthompson]

Don't miss Art's suggestion. Tobacco is transplanted. Field conditions are way different as that ground is really worked first. But there is an opener and then right being it a slot for the plant to drop through and then wings to pull dirt tight around the plant.

I would think you could use a subsoiler to open a trench right behind it install sides (a piece of metal pipe with the back cut out would work even) to keep the trench open to drop the seeding and then disk blades (hiller) to move dirt to the seeding. This with the concept you are building a ride on unit.

The "setters" built for tobacco use have been used in many other uses even seedings. But they would need to be major reinforced to be used in unplowed ground.

 

[greenbeanman in Kansas]

Would a wavy coulter open and loosen enough of a trench for you? One like is used for no til operations?

 

[Champy]

The subsoiler actually does a pretty good job of making an opening, it just needs some "wings" to hold back the soil while you're pushing the seedling into the cut. Then the compression wheels or some type of drag would push the loose soil back to close the cut up.

The coulter really helps on untilled soil where you need to cut the sod so it can be spread apart by the wedge. Since I am disking and working the soil in an existing soybean field, I was trying to get by without the coulter (for now).

Here's a pic of the real thing:

 

[Champy]

some more pics of tree planters you can buy....

 

[kthompson]

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,

No idea but you may find there is a tree setter for loan or low rent through some state or federal agency to help encourage people to plant trees. Who ever you buying your seedling from my can help there but if you can a County Agent call them.