Tater digger/subsoiler/trailer and Redlandhill

[EE_Bota]

I finally got my potato digger/sub-soiler/trailer mover going. I bought it new a year or two ago, but it was too big for my BX2200, since the implements would not clear the ground even with the lift full up. I resolved the problem by cutting out the top plate, and drilling new holes. It was more work, but this implement will work on a larger tractor, and I wanted to preserve that capability while also making it work on my small tractor.

The first pic is of the unit with the tater digger on. It has a very strong shank, and a large share. The ball mount in this pic is for the 5th wheel style trailers, which I do not have, but when I lower the lift, it works on my conventional trailer. The ball also works well with my grubber chain, which has a ring. It is in a good position to use the BX2200s most capable lifting feature...the lift itself. I like how the ball sticks out a bit, so I can jack-knife the trailer without bending the tongue.

The second pic is a side link RedlandHill made me custom for my tractor, and then charged me less than the components they used to make it! Thanks Roger and Bill! This gets me a higher lift height so I can maximize the Subsoiler. It was also handy for using my boxblade to make slopes. I also bought a very nice box blade from them, which is why they gave me a break on the side-link, even though I insisted the break was too good, they insisted. They were great guys, and I enjoyed visiting with them!

The next pic shows the subsoiler shank, which is quite long, which is important for a subsoiler. It is made different than the tater shank in that even the shank is sharpened a bit. You can see clearly the holes I drilled to make it acceptable for my lift height.

The last pic is something I don't use, but could be useful for you folks with taller tractors. It is the lower ball mount, to be used with conventional trailers.

 

[EE_Bota]

I forgot to mention, this is a Howse SSMB15 implement. I got it for $265 delivered in October 2007 from Lazenby Equipment. I work in a factory, so I received it at our dock, so as to save money on shipping relative to a home delivery. I expect the price has gone up some, but now that I have redrilled, and cut out the top plate, I am very pleased with this setup.

 

[rambler]

Looks like you made a longer cut, but it might not pivot so well if you hit a rock - I assume that bottom bolt is a shear pin if you hit an imovable object, & the shank should pivot backwards. The top might be bound up now?

That small a tractor, probably will lose traction before anything breaks so not such a big deal.

--->Paul

 

[EE_Bota]

It does not have a shear pin at all, instead, those bolts are very substantial bolts, and should not shear.

You are quite right in that, with my little BX, particularly with turfs on, that plow will stop my tractor cold.

I have a friend with a larger tractor, and he has no sub-soiler at all. His tractor may not stop cold, but the shank would be running lower in the un-trapped position. He would like to borrow the equipment some. I know most are against loaning equipment, but the only reason I don't own a farm is that he and my brother always offer me unlimited access to their farms, and it takes the wind out of my ownership sails.

I have no doubt that there are tractors out there that would rip this equipment to pieces, however, it is very strongly built, so I do not think tractors in it's class will harm it at all. The only real problem I see it that those bolts will be challenged and will eventually give up and have to be replaced when used with a larger tractor. I have used lesser sub-soilers all day with say a Red Belly, and that lesser SS would stop the RB cold.