Tiller or Disk or Cultivator or Rake or Pulverizer

[TripleR]

Agree that the roots are not going to go well with a rototiller.

We have worked "new ground" as you describe and used equipment such as described by Ken. It will take a pretty hefty disk and power to pull it, but it can be done. Of course you have to factor this into the type of machine to get etc. which will essentially be a one time thing.

I know you want to "do it yourself", but I would give serious consideration to having this done too. Believe me, with that much land, you are going to have plenty of projects to keep you busy without taking on working up a bunch of new ground.

My son and I are going to be doing essentially the same thing this spring and even with an M8540, I dread doing it and probably won't get it all done and we will only be doing about fifteen acres this time.

 

[Mitigator33]

Thanks for the replys but I am more confused now than before. So I will rephrase to help myself.
Given my soil conditions as mentioned how would you prep the ground for grass seed planting?

Then how would you prep the other portion for food plots?

I am looking for start to finish with what types of implements you would use and why.

Thanks again for your willingness to help out.

 

[PapaPerk]

Thanks for the replys but I am more confused now than before. So I will rephrase to help myself.
Given my soil conditions as mentioned how would you prep the ground for grass seed planting?

Then how would you prep the other portion for food plots?

I am looking for start to finish with what types of implements you would use and why.

Thanks again for your willingness to help out.

This is what I would do. Have a farmer plow and disc the ground for you. Let it sit for awhile to let all the vegetation rot that was plowed under. Then drag it smooth and plant your grass.

For the food plots I would use a King Kutter II 72" rototiller for the back of your tractor. You tractor is more than 40 hp right? This tiller will do an excellent job prepping the ground for plots and gardens. If the food plot areas have alot of roots.. have the farmer plow them up too. Then use your tiller.

That's my opinion.... and that's worth about 1 cent!

 

[Mitigator33]

I own a NH 55 HP tractor and have a disc harrow and 2 bottom plow that I can borrow. I know you recommended a farmer do it but if we are talking around 15 acres is this a job that I can tackle myself?

I have no real time frame that I want to get this accomplished in. Realistically how long would it take to plow 15 acres with my setup mentioned above?

 

[FredH]

Borrow Plow , then disk it . Go slow plowing so if you do catch a root or major rock , no damage .

Although not as much acreage as you are doing , I am doing similar . With no access to plow , I disassembled a old single gang disk and converted it into a 8 tooth ripper using these for rippers .
BOX SHANK 18 4 HOLE W/ HEAT - Agri Supply

They are mounted in a 4" x 4" x 1/4" steel tube , spaced about 7" or 8" apart , ( ????? ) . Actually put 15 slots in it so I could slide the shanks over 1 hole if desired , but so far 1 pass is all that is required . It is similar to the rippers in a box blade but with out the box blade . 4" + oak roots and rocks 18" across have been yanked out of the depths of darkness in the soil . Breaks it up pretty decently with the one pass and goes deeper than any disk or rototiller will ever go , ( so no surprises later ) .

Depending on the disk , speed while using it will determine how the soil lays down . Slow speeds with mine , ( king kutter 6' with notched front and back ) , has a desire to hill up some , while faster speeds fluff and level better much like a tiller . My brother use to lease farm land and his favorite tool was his 16' disk . His last pass before planting was at medium speed , it would look like you had tilled it , it came out so smooth . With using a disk , disk axle angle will also determine outcome . Higher angle equals more aggressive cutting while less angle equals smoother finish .

My neighbor bought a tiller for his tractor , which is same as mine , NH TC 30 . Tiller is a KK 6' model . Used it once on virgin soil in his field below his house . Did a area about 75' wide by 200' long . Needs new tines now , most are bent and twisted , a few are broken off in various spots . May be able to heat and straighten them out but to much labor for me . Biggest rock he pulled out was maybe 10" but when you are banging 6" to 8" rocks constantly , bad things usually happen . Now he has a plow but has yet to give it a try in his field .



Fred H.

 

[sweettractors]

I own a NH 55 HP tractor and have a disc harrow and 2 bottom plow that I can borrow. I know you recommended a farmer do it but if we are talking around 15 acres is this a job that I can tackle myself?

I have no real time frame that I want to get this accomplished in. Realistically how long would it take to plow 15 acres with my setup mentioned above?

3 Days, If the bottom plow don't clog. Forever if it clogs. Ken Sweet

 

[DAY]

Ken Sweet didn't mention it, so i will: Plowing is a skill, and setting up a 2 bottom plow is a part of it. There are lots of videos you can watch on line, and i suggest you google both plowing and discing, before you give it a try.

 

[milkman]

I would have to agree with Ken, if you plow, then you will be forever unless you use a disc plow. If you are going to mulch the bushes and small trees, how do you plan to get rid of the roots? The disc plow will cut roots and roll over the ones too big to cut, with a regular bottom plow, you will be plugged up and hung up on roots over and over again.

 

[deere5105]

I would recommend a heavy duty 6' disc harrow and some sort of drag type harrow. We do many food plots annually and get by fine with running the disc over them, broadcasting seed/fertilizer and lightly running disc back over to cover. The only time I use a drag harrow is to level the garden spots before planting. I do basically the same things you are talking about. I didn't see where it stated, but I assume you have a 2WD tractor. You might be able to handle an 8' disc but I recommend the 6'. Will also make it easier getting around in the woods. Many recommend the tiller, but I see them is a higher maintenance item compared to the disc harrow.

 

[sweettractors]

WE just got in this week a Used HD 6 1/2 foot Bush Hog Brand Lift disc with back gang that will fold up over the front to make a bog. It is on roller bearings and no breaks or welds. It does have heavy scrappers. $1195. Ken Sweet