Subsoiler or middle buster

[Trap]

I think I am in need of a new piece of equipment (just a buying urge) and the subsoiler looks like it might work to break up ground for planting of new flower beds and such. I really don't know what all they might be used for. If anyone has projects to share let me know. Also someone stated on TBN that theyshould not be used on a CUT, but it seems a 24HP should be enough power to break up some soil if I am not trying to gouge 12 inches into the soil. Let me know, Thanks

 

[Nasty135]

Trap, A subsoiler is something that would be a little difficult to use on a SCUT (sub compact utility tractor) not CUT (compact utility tractor) because of the height of the SCUT(lower to the ground)to start with... The subsoiler is a tall implement ment to go up to 18" deep or so in the ground, First you need weight for traction and a SCUT doesn't have alot to start with... Second is the height of the 3PH ,maybe a middle buster might work a little easier

I'm not saying it wouldn't work but more than likely would take more than one pass... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

But with a CUT a subsoiler should work fine,but it would be one narrow flower bed, maybe something like as Box scraper with all the tines down or perhaps a rotor-tiller ,now I'm spending your money... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Holzster]

Trap

A middle Buster is some times called a Potato Picker because well.... you should be able to know the rest.

 

[Sully2]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think I am in need of a new piece of equipment (just a buying urge) and the subsoiler looks like it might work to break up ground for planting of new flower beds and such. I really don't know what all they might be used for. If anyone has projects to share let me know. Also someone stated on TBN that theyshould not be used on a CUT, but it seems a 24HP should be enough power to break up some soil if I am not trying to gouge 12 inches into the soil. Let me know, Thanks )</font>

From the ones Ive looked at ( such as the ones from say King Kutter or TSC..as an example) for what you want Id go with the subsoiler and try and NOT sink it all the way in. Those middle busters will bend and destroy the middle frame work on them if you TRY and sink those in deep...and if you stay more or less "shallow" the subsoiler ..with the smaller foot...will break up any hardpan "TO A LIMITED DEPTH"...and then your tractor just will either spin the wheels or flat run out of power. The middle buster ( potatoe digger) will loosen some depth of soil and then either flat STOP you..or the frame bends!

Get the sub soiler and just make multiple passes

 

[kossetx]

I bought one for my 25hp tractor to tear out stumps and roots. I have turf tires on my tractor and it just barely clears the ground, so I may shorten it if the new tractor does not come along soon. I bought the middle buster attachment and just added the subsoiler blade to it from 2"X1/2" bar I had lying around. I also put a 6X8X1/2 " plate on it to catch the stumps better, so basically, I have 3 tools for one 129.00 price. In my opinion, it was cheaper to buy one than build one.

 

[Farwell]

I use both the middle buster and the sub soiler. If you get both, get the one designed to be used as both. I bought the TSC middle buster and bought the sub soiler blade separately. I had to do some modifying to get the sub soiler blade to bolt on.
I use the sub soiler to rip up smaller roots and then use the middle buster to work up a little more soil prior to using my drag or disc in areas that I have cleared of brush.
I use the middle buster to break up the hardened top soil prior to digging trenches by hand. Both are very handy tools.
Farwell

 

[Investorguy]

I've heard that you can use the subsoiler (w/ a couple passes) as a trencher for pipe or conduit. Anyone actually used it for that?

 

[Sully2]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've heard that you can use the subsoiler (w/ a couple passes) as a trencher for pipe or conduit. Anyone actually used it for that? )</font>

I havent yet...but will this spring/summer. I bought a REAL "HD" subsoiler so that I knew I wasnt going to "damage" it...even though Im not going down all that deep.

 

[Sully2]

Here's mine..

 

[BrianW]

Seeing I don't have a SCUT but I am thinking of buying one (BX) I am curious about using a subsoiler such as the KingKutter that is suppose to be made for a SCUT.

http://www.kingkutter.com/XBProducts.asp?XBProd=MiddleBuster

 

[flusher]

I've experimented with that approach. My problem is getting the second pass to follow the first one. Maybe with practice I'll improve my technique.

I have about 1000 feet of landscape irrigation PVC pipe (rigid type) to lay next month. My neighbor just did about 800 feet of trench with a Ditch Witch riding trencher ($300/day at Guy Rental). Works fine. I may go that route.

I've used my middle buster plow and my B7510HST to dig about 12"-deep trenches for landscape drain lines to carry water away from the house foundation. After fooling around with the 3pt top link, I got the plow to stop burying itself and got a nice V-shaped trench that only needed a little hand work with a shovel to get in shape.

I'll probably try this approach for my landscape irrigation pipe. Only need it buried about 12" to accommodate the sprinkler heads/risers.

The middle buster's main disadvantage is that it pushes a lot of dirt out of the trench compared to a subsoiler. The advantage is that the larger trench makes it easier to get a shovel working to remove the dirt that inevitably falls back into the trench.

Even with a Ditch Witch you need to dig a few inches deeper than your target depth because the trencher always leaves a few inches of fine powdered soil in the bottom of the trench.

Several folks in these forums have used the subsoiler to drag flexible PVC pipe into the ground for landscape irrigation. And IIRC someone has mentioned doing this with rigid PVC pipe. It's a neat approach, but you still have to dig out sections of the pipe to install some sort of tee (in-line or saddle-type) for your risers. Even if you install the tee before pulling the pipe into the ground, you still have to dig to install the sprinkler/riser. But this subsoiler approach has a benefit that's close to what you get with a vibratory plow, i.e. relatively little excavated dirt to push/shovel back into the trench.

So many options!!! What to do? What to do?

 

[Nasty135]

Hi Brian, Well I would think if it was specifically made for the SCUT it would perform well but as Sully pointed out when using the middle buster blade if you get caught in hard pack it may bend the blade... Sometimes when a tool is designed to do multiple tasks ,it may do none of them well... Just a thought ,It may work fine but it also may not. See if you can find one to look at up close and personal then make your decision ... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Oh and Welcome to TBN!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif