Homemade 2 shank subsoiler

[ptsg]

I missed this thread last year!
Why "400"? This looks like at least a 500.

Well, that's the max depth it goes. 400 mm.

I've put a good amount of use on it. So far so good. Tractor pulls it very nicely.

 

[jyoutz]

Take a look at the spacing on my implement. It has 9 shanks and is 7’ wide. The shanks can be sunk 17” deep.

 

[ptsg]

Take a look at the spacing on my implement. It has 9 shanks and is 7’ wide. The shanks can be sunk 17” deep.

View attachment 1750218

That's a chisel plow, used for a little bit different purpose. At the time, I considered getting one of those instead of building the subsoiler.

Subsoiler also ended up suiting this soil a lot better. A chisel plow would have barely scratched the surface, now that I've seen how the subsoiler behaves.

 

[sixdogs]

And it's done! Still subject to some minor changes after some testing but it's done. Specially the corner of the shanks. That will most likely come out.

Any bets on how long it will take for the support stand to turn into the 3rd shank?

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That is incredible that you made this and got it right. Very nice.

 

[rgr33]

Great job planning and fabricating your ripper, wish I had your shop and skills

I have a single shank that I pull with my 33 hp LS, it can pull it at about 16-18 inches, but as you say, I am only interested in in breaking the hard pan down the vineyard rows

 

[ptsg]

Great job planning and fabricating your ripper, wish I had your shop and skills

I have a single shank that I pull with my 33 hp LS, it can pull it at about 16-18 inches, but as you say, I am only interested in in breaking the hard pan down the vineyard rows

Thank you.

I've since learned that the subsoiler really makes a big difference. Before, I had to do multiple passes with the tiller to get a decent job. The first couple ones, was a bounce fest with the tiller jumping all over the place in that hard clay.

Now I run the subsoiler a couple times first and the tiller stays planted to the ground and only need to do 2 passes to get a good finish.

I've also noticed a decent jump in how fast the olive trees are evolving over time. They seem to be happier now that the ground isn't rock hard around them and the roots can just do whatever they need to do.

 

[Renze]

I've also noticed a decent jump in how fast the olive trees are evolving over time. They seem to be happier now that the ground isn't rock hard around them and the roots can just do whatever they need to do.

Last year, once the corn was planted, it started raining and it never stopped. Soil was so silted in by all the rain that corn turned purple from oxygen starvation. Some contractors made interrow rippers to bring some oxygen in he soil and save the harvest:

 

[ptsg]

Last year, once the corn was planted, it started raining and it never stopped. Soil was so silted in by all the rain that corn turned purple from oxygen starvation. Some contractors made interrow rippers to bring some oxygen in he soil and save the harvest:

That's cool and I can say it really helps the crops.

I've really noticed a decent increase on how the olive trees have been evolving after I started using the subsoiler. This clay I work on will get absolutely rock hard. The tiller also has a much better time tilling the ground.

 

[CalG]

Nice fab, and a very nice tool!

I wonder what it might do that a planting of radishes and alfalfa would not.

Such "organic" means have been effective in my area. The benefit is literally TONNES of organic inputs. And you don't need to do more than scratch the soil surface.

 

[Renze]

I wonder what it might do that a planting of radishes and alfalfa would not.

Such "organic" means have been effective in my area. The benefit is literally TONNES of organic inputs. And you don't need to do more than scratch the soil surface.

When the ground is really hard and water pools frequently, alfalfa drowns before it has a chance to penetrate the ground.

Coming back from visiting family in Canada i investigated growing alfalfa, yet with the amount of rainfall we have in Holland i abandoned the idea. Its too sensitive for high moisture soils.

It would thrive better in Portugal, but still: Cover crops and organic matter are a long term maintenance measure, where ripping is an instant problem solver.