Dirt Moving Subsoiler Flips Sod - Looks Rough

[sixdogs]

Yes I’m happy. It’s done exactly what I needed and since I only gave $100 for it, I’m very happy. The guy got it with a tractor and he did not know what it was and advertised it for $100. I did not argue with the man.
Here is what it looked like when I bought it.
View attachment 546909
View attachment 546910
From the manuals I found, they started making these in 1957.
I cleaned it up, painted it and have replaced most of the original bolts with new grade 8s. Most of the originals were pretty corroded.

Good find and quite the technological advancement for 1957. I've seen some two shank models and they would work for me by having one behind each track. Then I could straddle the prior tracks on the next rip and have it come out on a 30" spacing. I only do small areas so it would work. Now, let's hope I can find another one.

I was always concerned I would twist it like a pretzel but you have way more HP pulling it than I would.

 

[Dadnatron]

Subsoiling is not as easy as it at first appears.

Subsoiling wet ground results in verticle slicked separations which can cause much more damage than leaving the ground alone. It can be so bad that it is akin to taking long plastic vertical sheets and laying them into the ground where you ran your subsoiler.

I would encourage you (and everyone) to read this article before you jump into it. There is DEFINITELY a time to do it, and this is typically fall with DRY ground.

Concerning why you have clods on the surface, what shape is your subsoiling shank. This appearance is most typical when using a curved shank. They 'pull' easier than a vertical straight shank, but this surface clod issue is very common.

I agree that in order to help alleviate the 'root' effect, a coulter IN FRONT of the shank is preferrable. However, it would make a difference if the roots you are pulling up are below the coulter's depth.

But the biggest thing is... don't do it when it is wet. If the ground can't 'shatter' you are just slicking long vertical lines 12" deep throughout your property. Take a look at the article below.

https://www.cetab.org/system/files/...15._guide_to_successful_subsoiling._cetab.pdf

 

[Texasmark]

Have a look at the Hay King brand to see what works. Other thing, as stated, is don't try to do it when the soil is wet or dry. Try to catch it in the fall after a few showers have softened the "summer rocks". You want it wet enough for the implement to slide through the material without kicking up clods and dry enough to give the plant's root something to hang onto when you try to rip through them. The coulters on the Hay King go a long way in preventing your problem if adjusted properly.

 

[FreedomFamilyFarms]

Subsoiling is not as easy as it at first appears.

Subsoiling wet ground results in verticle slicked separations which can cause much more damage than leaving the ground alone. It can be so bad that it is akin to taking long plastic vertical sheets and laying them into the ground where you ran your subsoiler.

I would encourage you (and everyone) to read this article before you jump into it. There is DEFINITELY a time to do it, and this is typically fall with DRY ground.

Concerning why you have clods on the surface, what shape is your subsoiling shank. This appearance is most typical when using a curved shank. They 'pull' easier than a vertical straight shank, but this surface clod issue is very common.

I agree that in order to help alleviate the 'root' effect, a coulter IN FRONT of the shank is preferrable. However, it would make a difference if the roots you are pulling up are below the coulter's depth.

But the biggest thing is... don't do it when it is wet. If the ground can't 'shatter' you are just slicking long vertical lines 12" deep throughout your property. Take a look at the article below.

https://www.cetab.org/system/files/...15._guide_to_successful_subsoiling._cetab.pdf

Thanks for this reference. Explains a lot. Was definitely too wet to run the subsoiler. I’ll make sure to try it again this fall when things are dry. “Shattering” the soil is a great way to conceptualize what should be happening.