Tiller Pulverizer or Tiller??

[Anonymous Poster]

I am going to redo my yard. I need an attachment to break up the soil. I need it to get loosened up good. The ground is hard and my york rake won't do what I need. I thought about getting a tiller for the tractor. Would I need a tiller or a pulverizer? I think the pulverizer would do a better job but I would have more uses for the tiller. What else can you do with a pulverizer? Is there another attachment that would do a better job? HELP!!
/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Thanks,
Knowles

 

[HayDR]

First what is the composition of the soil? If it is mostly clay then you need some Malorganite and a tiller to mix it into the soil. If you have some good humus and topsoil then likely you can get by with a Pulverizer. If you are in the Tidewater area then spray everything with roundup wait two weeks and then till it up and sow the grass of your choice and top-dress the seed with Hydrated lime, a mild fertilizer and Malorganite.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Would I need a tiller or a pulverizer? I think the pulverizer would do a better job but I would have more uses for the tiller. )</font>

I think you answered your own question. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif At least you did if you use a tiller for as many things as I did.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have shail and clay. That is mostly my soil.

 

[Darren]

The problem with a tiller is that unless you have 8" or so of top soil, the mixing action of the tiller brings up subsoil and disperses the top soil into it.

Your good stuff, the top soil, just got mixed and buried. The cheapest tool which you might be able to rent is a disk. I'd go with the smallest width you can find that will still cover your tracks and put as much weight on the disk using blocks or what have you that the tractor can still handle.

Wait untill a few days after it rains and the surface is dry and rip it up. You'll have to make several passes. Milorganite is composted sewage. Along with the fertilizer stuff you're probably also getting heavy metals. Maybe not enough to cause any harm but I wouldn't use it.

 

[MLB]

Rent a pulverizer. Buy a tiller. (if you have enough uses). But DON"T till up existing turf unless you have to. And then, DON"T! Raking up the tufts of turf will have you ripping your hair out for many hours. A pulverizer does a premium job of mangling the top couple of inches, makes a great seed bed.
Milorganite is processed sewage sludge (from Milwaukee!) and is considerably better for your soil than any synthetic fertilizer. Any pesticide will do far more damage to soil life than any trace heavy metals, though you shouldn't use it on gardens.