What implement to cultivate land with rocks- plow, tiller or ??

[Don87]

Funny you should say that- I went to Tractor Supply today to see what they had. They had a middle buster and one bottom plow. What are the differences between the two?

I am leery to put an expensive piece of equipment into unknown ground. I do like the option of having a spring (or at least a shear bolt) on it as I am sure some of these rocks will be decent size.

The plow will turn all the soil in one direction only, the middle buster tosses the soil to both sides.
Either will work............I own a plow, and borrow my BIL's middlebuster. But If I were to buy just one, with the thought of a tiller purchase, it would be the middlebuster. Mainly because of the other uses for the tool.

 

[arcteryx]

I bought a middle buster since it was inexpensive and would allow me to look at my ground. I tested a 5 foot swath. Good news is the soil seems deep, its' not clay. Bad news is there are lots o' rocks. The buster will surface them as well as break them into smaller pieces. Seeing the pic, what is the best plan of attack here?

 

[spruce Deere]

Middlebust whole area first.... pick rocks by hand or I'm think'n a rock bucket, but with no f.e.l, a landscape rake, power rake or some sort of rock picker.

Rent or buy a power rake, rock picker or a landscape rake. Would well be worth it to help remove that amount of bigger rock.

A picker would gather the stones till full then you relocate them.

A landscape rake would "rake" stones from soil. With a landscape rake, you basically heard the stones to one side or end of the piece of ground being worked.

A power rake is a pto powered implement with a turning drum that can be angled with studs or fingers welded to it and is used much the same as a landscape rake by raking and 'hearding' stones but with a rotating tiller action. The power rake is spendy, but leaves the soil level, slightly tilled and clear of debris.

The power rake or a 'harley rake' is a favorite with landscape install outfits. The price is a little high for what you get.... even used.

 

[jimgerken]

...or move to Iowa.