Cultipacker vs drag harrow

[JMER817]

Looking for the best tool to ensure proper seed depth. Will be putting in food plots (clover) and a new lawn (2 acres) this fall. What seems to work the best for good seed germination? I have a 4 ft harrow to drag behind a quad but concerned it may spread the seed around creating bare spots. Debating about picking up a good used cultipacker.

 

[jenkinsph]

I use a spike tooth harrow to cover the seed and follow with a smooth roller. Seem to get good results that way.

 

[davethegundoctor]

The cultipacker is the way to go for me. My Deer plots come up great here.


David Pidgeon

 

[jeff9366]

Drag Harrow is a good tool but it will not PACK/PRESSURE seeds into close contact with soil, which a Cultipacker does.

Some food plot seeds are very small but require light to germinate. A Drag Harrow is more likely to cover these seeds too deep.

Cultipacker will leave some ridges after rolling a lawn but not much if you choose a day without mud to roll in seed.

Three Point Hitch mounted Cultipacker, which is heavy and compact, makes an excellent counterbalance on your tractor.

I bought my Cultipacker from (Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure)

 

[Ford850]

For grass and clover, I like to use a cultipacker after seeding. I also use a drag made of chain link fence and a couple 2x4's on top for dragging after seeding. The cultipacker does a very nice job, but I have done many acres without it with similar results. If I have time I use this method: Prep the area. Seed at 1/2 rate. drag the area once lightly. Seed again. Drag the area lightly in opposite direction than the first drag. Then cultipack if you have one.

 

[jenkinsph]

I like cultipackers too but for a lawn area I prefer something smoother so I use a roller. Using the home built spike tooth harrow and water filled roller worked for me on my lawn.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Drag Harrow is a good tool but it will not PACK/PRESSURE seeds into close contact with soil, which a Cultipacker does.

Some food plot seeds are very small but require light to germinate. A Drag Harrow is more likely to cover these seeds too deep.

Cultipacker will leave some ridges after rolling a lawn but not much if you choose a day without mud to roll in seed.

Three Point Hitch mounted Cultipacker, which is heavy and compact, makes an excellent counterbalance on your tractor.

Thanks for pics of the first 3PH Cultipacker that I have seen. I agree the two implements are very different in use and function.

 

[DJ54]

I like the parking stand for the 3pt. cultipacker...!! That would be perfect for my 3 pt. Aerator..!! I see a future project..!!

 

[Texasmark]

Roller will just help to guarantee soil contact. Drag harrow can do as you mentioned if you let the dirt pile up on the rear (center usually) of it like happens with most harrows that you cannot control the depth. Actually the two implements aid one another and are not functionally identical, or even similar.

So, you need a spreader of some sort to broadcast the seed or drill it in with a grain drill which has depth controls to ensure seed placement and accuracy, then if you like a drag harrow behind that but not necessary and then a roller/cultipactor to ensure seed to soil contact which is not necessary if rain is on the way. Actually a good hard rain after broadcasting will do your planting for you and you can omit the rest of the process.

You are probably dreaming if you think you will get full coverage in one pass. What you probably do is to plant, wait check the germination and then come back a second time and fill in the gaps.

Most grass seed plant only about 1/4", basically just covering the seed with dirt; doesn't take much.

HTH,
Mark

 

[flusher]

Looking for the best tool to ensure proper seed depth. Will be putting in food plots (clover) and a new lawn (2 acres) this fall. What seems to work the best for good seed germination? I have a 4 ft harrow to drag behind a quad but concerned it may spread the seed around creating bare spots. Debating about picking up a good used cultipacker.

Cultipackers are grooved rollers that press the seed into the soil and leave shallow grooves that help trap and hold moisture to aid in seed germination. They work great in food plots but you may not like the grooved surface on your newly planted lawn--so one of those $200 plastic, water fillable rollers might be more to your liking. I have both types of roller-cultipacker for the hayfield, plastic roller for landscaping work.

Good luck.