Narrowing the field of used field cultivators

[ransonjd]

I'm looking for a tillage tool to prepare garden beds in rocky silt-clay loam that hasn't been planted in a couple years. The goal is to break up the surface vegetation and loosen up surface rocks for easy picking. I think I want to use a field cultivator. I'm pulling with a DK4510HS with a loader and loaded tires, which comes out to about 5500lbs and 45hp at the engine.

What should I be looking for in used field cultivators for this tractor? I'm looking for a size that will pull well with my tractor, and a design that will deal with my soil without regular shear bolt replacement.

 

[jeff9366]

"Field Cultivator" is an elastic, imprecise, implement description.

A coil-spring protected Field Cultivator/All Purpose Plow might meet your needs. Depending on dispersion and size of your rocks you may have to replace readily available, $8.00 points occasionally.

Coil-spring protected Field Cultivators, like other implements, come in various weights. If you can find a used Leinbach, Ford Dearborn or Ferguson implement it will be heavier than a Dirt Dog (brand) or Fred Cain (brand) available new. These older, heavier implements, all clones of the Ferguson original, have the advantage of being able to employ 'shovels' in addition to 'points' although the changeover can be a 1-1/2 hour task.

T-B-N ARCHIVE: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/339095-dirt-dog-all-purpose-plow.html?highlight=

VIDEO: How to Use a Ripper / Field Cultivator - Gardening Series - YouTube

The next step up would be a coil-spring protected Chisel Plow, which is heavier than a Field Cultivator.
VENDER: Buckeye Tractor Online Catalog Page 18-01 Chisel Plows



If you only need to prep an acre garden consider a Potato Plow/Middlebuster.
VIDEO: TRACTOR MIDDLEBUSTER - YouTube

A Keulavator is not really a primary tillage implement but might serve your garden needs as it is modular, therefore versatile. "Sweeps" function somewhat like a Potato Plow but cultivate shallower. You would need to mow vegetation short, short and wait for moist soil before employing sweeps.
VENDER: Keulavator Frame, 3-Point Cultivator

The Keulavator | Agri Supply

 

[jeff9366]

ransonjd

I'm looking for a tillage tool to prepare garden beds in rocky silt-clay loam that hasn't been planted in a couple years.

What size plot or field?

The goal is to break up the surface vegetation and loosen up surface rocks for easy picking.

Describe the rocks.

What should I be looking for in used field cultivators for this tractor?

 

[kthompson]

The best answer I can give you or anyone is to ask the local farmer. Look for used equipment dealer. In many areas there is a used implement dealer, maybe not be even in phone book.

We don't have rocks but we use a lot of spring field cultivators. There are two different designs, ones that use coil springs and might be best for size you will need and those which use a spring type semi flexible curved shank. Would think the coil springs would be stronger. Suggest slow and not deep but multi passes.

 

[madhouse]

I found an old row-cultivator and compressed it. I use it on my 30HP CUT. I need to get through an 8' door with it - I narrowed it down to about 6' but I left some extra main tube so I can spread it out more if I desire. My tractor handles it pretty well in our soil. It cost me $200, a couple cut-off blades, a lot of penetrating oil and a few hours.

 

[LouNY]

I'm going to use the terminology I have always used;

A cultivator is designed to remove weeds from rows of crops, it can have hillers added if desired on some models,
they were not designed or built to be primary tillage implements.

A harrow is designed to pull pulled thru a plow and or disked field to break up the dirt clods,
there are several types the most common in the northeast were the spring tooth harrow or drag.
The spike tooth are as the name implies a variation with large steel spikes mounted to wooden or steel cross bars,
they are also designed to break up clods and smooth and level fields.
The spring tooth drag will bring rocks to the surface better then any other implement I have used in plowed fields.

Plows come in two main variations around here, moldboard and chisel.
A mouldboard plow is designed to roll dirt over, just a bit over 90 degree's not 180, and to bury the surface trash.
Chisel plows have heavy shanks that breakup the ground without turning it over, which allows the crop residue to stay on the surface and reduce erosion and aid in water conservation.

Different tools for different purposes.

 

[Engineer42]

I bought a Dearborn 13-2 cultivator for the same purpose last year. It痴 7 wide and works very well behind my tractor. I have about $130.00 in it after putting new teeth on it. It works well in new ground, here anyway. Not sure of your soil composition. You need to make multiple passes at progressive depths. For new ground I bust it once, give it time to soften from a rain, the hit it again.

My garden this year after three passes probably won稚 need the rototiller prior to planting. They are built very tough and parts are easy to find, although all I have had to purchase are the teeth. I would think your 45hp tractor would pull it easily.