Suggestions for root cutter

rubycreekted · Sep 7, 2009

I want to cut tree roots that extend into my food plots. Many are narrow lanes. What would you guys suggest for a 3 pt mounted inplement for my Ford 8N? I expect I should cut down about 18 inches. Thanks.

rharkins · Sep 8, 2009

Our local county extension agent has a root plow that they loan out. They want to encourage farmers to keep their trees on the fence rows, and this plow cuts the roots to keep them from encroaching on the field.

Might be worth asking about.

Rick

rubycreekted · Sep 9, 2009

I was in the local tractor supply today and they had a subsoiler on sale for 49.99 so I sprung for it. I think this will work as long as I drive slow. Says it will cut 12 inches down. Worth a try I believe. Thanks all. Any comments on this plan?

rharkins · Sep 9, 2009

I emailed KingKutter that exact question. I have a ton of tree roots to handle, and I thought that might do the job. KK said the SubSoiler wasn't intended for anything other than soil. I'm sure they're just reading the lawyer script, though.

I even considered having a sharp edge welded onto the front of the subsoiler. Something like the cutting edge on the bottom of a bucket. That ought to help cut the roots.

rubycreekted · Sep 9, 2009

RHANKINS, Thanks for the info. The reason I think a subsoiler will work is because I plowed part of the ground a couple weeks ago and saw the roots that the plow cut without problems. Up to the size of my wrist. I also thought a subsoiler could be sharpened to help cut roots. I believe if I stay in first gear and go slow I can safely cut roots. The subsoiler does not have a shear pin so if I hit something that doesn't give I will have to stop. I will try it when I can. I have planted all the ground with fall cover crops now so I hate to run over it but if we have a long dry spell with little germination I may get a chance to cut some roots first.

tnhomestead · Sep 9, 2009

Which tractor supply store? I need a sub soiler for thatprice!

Ken45101 · Sep 10, 2009

rubycreekted said:
The subsoiler does not have a shear pin so if I hit something that doesn't give I will have to stop.

If you use the draft control, when it hits something like that, it should lift up, hopefully loosening whatever stopped you.

However, sometimes it doesn't work that way, especially if you misunderstand the hieroglyphics on the float control lever. I was digging a trench for a low voltage electric line and the subsoiler glanced off the side of an old buried fence post. It bent the top of the subsoiler and twisted the threaded part of the top link 180 degrees and broke it.

The rest of the trench was done with the backhoe.

rubycreekted · Sep 10, 2009

TNHOMESTEAD, I got the $49 subsoiler at the Coopersville, MI TS. They had 2. It had a $129 tag and the $49 tag. A little rusty but not bad. The guy that helped me load it said they had been around for year or so.

rubycreekted · Sep 10, 2009

TNHOMESTEAD, I got the $49 subsoiler at the Coopersville, MI TS. They had 2. They had a old $129 tag and the new $49 tag. A little rusty but not bad. The guy that helped me load it said they had been around for year or so.

LD1 · Sep 11, 2009

I'm not sure how heavy the subsoilers are built, but I built one, mainly to install 1000' of underground dog fence in an all wooded lot and I knew roots would be a problem. I made it just like the subsoilers, but I used 2 x 4 heavy well tubing for the main structure. And then I used a peice of 1/2 x 3" sharpened and welded on at the angle for the peice that goes in the ground first. It is about 10" long. I also welded an enge on the vertical part of the 2 x 4 tube to help it through the ground better.

All in all it works wonders. If I snag a root that I cant "pull through" I just rais the 3PH and as the root slides down the sharp edge, it cuts right through it. This has worked on up to 4" roots on hard maple. I built it for my l3400 but took it to my dads when he was digging out a 42" maple stump (with no backhoe) and he used it on his JD 2040 (which has way more 3PH power) and we still couldnt break it. But it slices roots like butter.

Best part is it was all scrap I had laying around and didn't cost me anything. But if I had to buy the materials, it would only take a 6' long peice of 2 x 4 tube, a 2' long peice of 1/2 x 2, and two pins. With a few hours and a 12 pack you could be done.