Sub Soiler-adjustments? HELP...!

[Trap]

I recently bought a Tractor Supply Mid buster and a subsoiler to break up my garden a bit.I have a Kubota B7610 24HP. I need help or photos of what correct adjustments look like. Although I haven't spent but 30 min. playing with this my first pull on the sub soiler only went 8-9 inches deep. I adjusted the top link to max shortness which made the top tilt towards the tractor but still didn't seem to dig much deeper. I was pulling thru something other than my garden but really not bad of soil. I haven't tried mid buster yet, but will this weekend. ANY advice of any kind would be appreciated. My thoughts right now would be return sub soiler and just use MB on the garden. I really wanted something to have around to open up some new ground in case I want to expand. Any jdeas ....? Thanks

 

[sweettractors]

When the subsoiler is into the soil the beam should be completely vertical. A subsoiler has a 10-15 degree angle on the cutting edge to draft it into the soil. I would make the toplink longer instead of shorter. If the angle is not built into the subsoiler point, I don't see how it can work very well. Ken Sweet

 

[Baby Grand]

Starting with Ken's advice:

When the subsoiler is into the soil the beam should be completely vertical.

That's how you should have the subsoiler set up before you do anything. In this configuration, the subsoilers' ability to dig in and pull itself down into the soil is dependent on three things:

1) the angle that the tool (chisel point) makes with the soil
2) the weight hanging on the 3PT hitch
3) not being at the downward limit of your 3PT hitch's range of motion

If it isn't digging in as you deep as you think it should, you can:

1) shorten the top link to increase the angle of attack
2) hang additional weight on the 3PT
3) adjust your 3PT linkage to allow more downward travel

In general, I'd start with #3 - make sure the 3PT isn't at the bottom of its range of motion. If you still have travel, then move on to #2 and hang something heavy (= or >100 lbs) on your implement. Lastly, shortening the top link is really only a fine adjustment and will reduce the maximum depth that your chisel point can reach, as it tends to rotate the point up and aft as the angle of attack increases.

Assuming that you have the shorter (orange?) subsoiler, if you are reaching the bottom of you 3PT motion and you have no hitch adjustment left, then you might consider getting the yellow subsoiler that has a longer beam (distance from the hitch pins to the tool point). Unfortunately, that implement has a built in 15 degree angle so you'll need to do some modifications to make it work with your potato plow (middle buster), or keep the one you have now for middle busting.

Good luck and let us know how you make out,

-Jim

 

[djradz]

I've had similar experiences with mine. I completely agree with Ken that you want the vertical beam to be verticle, almost perfectly. In fact, what I've found is that without it verticle, say pulled in by a shorter top link - thinking that will help it dig, is that the beam, now angled opposite to the point, tends to make the implement rise up instead, or at least not help at all.

The best I've found is to do multiple passes and add some weight.

 

[Trap]

Thanks for the three tips. I'll check to see if arms will go lower by adjusting lower limit.When I tried my FIRST attempt chisel point only went in 8" deep. How much can I expect or hope for on the depth? I was hoping for 12+ inches. I have the yellow larger version SS & MB. My tractor is 24 HP, R4 tires, I am working in GREAT black bottom land soil not clay or rocky. Do you think I have enough power for this SS task? Thanks -

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks for the three tips. I'll check to see if arms will go lower by adjusting lower limit.When I tried my FIRST attempt chisel point only went in 8" deep. How much can I expect or hope for on the depth? I was hoping for 12+ inches. I have the yellow larger version of SS. My tractor is 24 HP R4 tires, I am working in GREAT black bottom land soil not clay or rocky. Thanks -

When I subsoil, I go about 2 ft deep. I would not want to go less than 18-20 inches or you won't be working the "Sub" soil. Ken Sweet

 

[ChuckinNH]

I'm with those that say to check your 3pt to see how low it goes. I have to use the second set of holes on my lower links to get my middlebuster as deep as I want it for digging potatoes, etc.

 

[mojoinco]

I have used mine on two tractors and it will go as deep as the 3pt will go. It does take 5~15 feet to get to full depth (depending on angles and how hard the ground is -- just like flying a plane makes it go up and down). Then I go back and get the ends over a time or two to get the depth there.

I have the King Kutter yellow sub soiler. I bought a middle buster blade and swap them out. The King Kutter folks weer sure I wouldn't be happy as it isn't the same sub soiler shank (they say). Works well enough for me.