Cultipacker Build

[OldMcDonald]

Great job. Idle curiosity, how much do the rollers cost in USA?

In the UK that implement would be known as a Cambridge Roller. The rollers are usually toothed as your are but sometimes they have a central raised section. The latter leave tiny furrows that seed broadcast after rolling will mostly fall into rather than the "pockets" created by the toothed rollers. No doubt there have been many arguments as to which is best for different crops.

 

[Baby Grand]

The rollers were $8.49 a piece plus shipping from AgriSupply.

 

[Big Barn]

Great job. Idle curiosity, how much do the rollers cost in USA? In the UK that implement would be known as a Cambridge Roller. The rollers are usually toothed as your are but sometimes they have a central raised section. The latter leave tiny furrows that seed broadcast after rolling will mostly fall into rather than the "pockets" created by the toothed rollers. No doubt there have been many arguments as to which is best for different crops.

You are right about that. If used AFTER broadcast seeding you will note that germination will occur best in the indentations created by the raised centre sections because of capillarity and better seed to soil contact. Some farmers had their own rollers cast with a cross hatch pattern for the rear press axles of their seed drills to supposedly facilitate better seed germination.
I experimented one year by setting the seeder at half seed rate and making two passes with the second pass slightly diagonal to the first. I achieved a slightly better germination rate but felt it wasn't worth the extra time and fuel. This was for a turf grass crop, and on peat soils tire track depressions are always a problem
On smaller plots one could consider this option.

Terry

 

[Baby Grand]

... looking good ...

 

[Big Barn]

... looking good ... <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/build-yourself/382317-cultipacker-build-p7100625-1024x768-jpg"/>

Good timing with the rain on Monday

Terry

 

[OldMcDonald]

The rollers were $8.49 a piece plus shipping from AgriSupply.

Thanks, even with the numbers needed it works out at a very reasonably priced piece of kit.

Big Barn, Yes, I knew about using them after sowing too. In that case, for small seeds, my own inclination was towards the completely raised centre. Others disagreed.

 

[jenkinsph]

Looks real good and appears to do the job well too. I looked up the rollers on Agri Supply and see these are lighter in weight than I expected.

 

[Baby Grand]

Looks real good and appears to do the job well too. I looked up the rollers on Agri Supply and see these are lighter in weight than I expected.

Thanks! Yes, the wheels are somewhat light, thin castings. If I could have sourced affordable Brillion type wheels I would have gone that route. To make up for the lack of weight, I used 2x2x1/4" wall for the frame and a solid axle instead of pipe. I think I may add some ballast tanks to it so I can add additional weight, if need be.

 

[OldMcDonald]

A question for those with experience of using similar equipment. How heavy do you think they should be? I have no figures of weight of modern ones (could probably find some with a bit of Googling) but the few I knew of in use on farms in the UK were modified single horse drawn ones and easily pulled around into position by a man for pinning to the tractor drawbar. Most people I knew also had a flat roller if compression was needed, and these could usually be ballasted.

The Cambridge rollers were pre rotavator days and used only to fine down a seed bed or, as discussed above, pre or post broadcast sowing.

 

[jenkinsph]

I was expecting about 150 to 200lbs/ft to get a firm compaction. I use light plastic water filled rollers that are 120lbs/ft and have a new build for a steel and concrete roller that is 375lbs/ft.