Reasonably priced sub-soiler on the west coast

ericm979 · Jan 23, 2019

Hi all, I'm looking for a single tine sub-soiler to loosen up some compacted ground for a garden. I'm not going to use it a lot so I don't need a really nice one but I don't want it to bend right away either. Agri-supply makes one that looks to be well made and is reasonably priced (under $200)... but shipping to CA costs as much as the implement, making it close to $400. Same with Northern Tool.

We have TSC locally. They have one but it looks pretty flimsy and there are many comments about it bending and welds breaking.

Anyone know of something better?

RjCorazza · Jan 23, 2019

I used a single tine subsoiler from TSC to dig a long irrigation trench. The B8200 (19hp) I had was not capable of damaging the subsoiler. I suspect your tractor is big enough to break any single tine subsoiler.
I’d give the TSC subsoiler a try and take it easy.

Alan W. · Jan 23, 2019

I have one of the TSC subsoilers and it has held up behind my L3650. Ive hung it on rocks and tree roots without damage.

shooterdon · Jan 23, 2019

In a garden plot that has no large roots or large rocks, I would try the TSC unit. If you know someone that can weld, adding some stiffners should not be costly....but I doubt you will need them.

3Lfarms · Jan 24, 2019

I have a large old Ford single subsoiler. Quite heavy and it’s capable of running at about 25” deep. It makes my 68hp tractor work a bit, but I don’t have to use it in 4WD. In 2WD, a 1/2” root can bring my tractor with R1s to a stop in very hard clay running that deep.

For a garden, you don’t need something that big.
The TSC one should work if you go slow and dont let it run more than 15” deep. It should be obvious, but only go straight when it is in the ground.