Which implement is best?

[redalrt]

I have a Mitsubishi S-373 Beaver III. I want to cultivate an area in my front yard about 100' x 100' to grow some grass. I've taken a soil sample and am waiting for the results. The ground is compacted clay and has more than a few rocks in it, mainly near the surface from what I can see.

Is the best tool to prep the ground a 4 - 5' box blade? The Beaver has front weights and can pull my 4' Land Pride finishing mower and a 4' Howse rotary cutter with the front wheels solidly on the ground.

Or is the best tool a 3 pt tiller? I'd have to rent it and I'm not so sure my tractor has the HP to tackle the job?

Not sure about this, and I'm looking for thoughts from the experts.

Thanks

 

[flusher]

I have a Mitsubishi S-373 Beaver III. I want to cultivate an area in my front yard about 100' x 100' to grow some grass. I've taken a soil sample and am waiting for the results. The ground is compacted clay and has more than a few rocks in it, mainly near the surface from what I can see.

Is the best tool to prep the ground a 4 - 5' box blade? The Beaver has front weights and can pull my 4' Land Pride finishing mower and a 4' Howse rotary cutter with the front wheels solidly on the ground.

Or is the best tool a 3 pt tiller? I'd have to rent it and I'm not so sure my tractor has the HP to tackle the job?

Not sure about this, and I'm looking for thoughts from the experts.

Thanks

I used my Kubota B7510HST (21 hp engine, 17 hp pto), a middle buster plow ($140 new) and a 4-ft rototiller ($300 used) to put in my lawn.

It's easier to rototill plowed ground.

 

[Soundguy]

If you have slow low range speed.. a tiller should be ok. a box blade with rippers could probably make due in such a small area like 100x100

if I owned a box I'd make it work vs renting a tiller..

soundguy

 

[jbrumberg]

redalrt:

I am not familiar with the Mitsubishi S-373. Could you provide some information as to this tractor and fill out your profile? Jay

 

[EddieWalker]

Thought I'm not a big fan of the box blade, it is a versatile tool that has the ability to do multiple tasks. For the money, it's going to do what you need to do without forcing you to buy a tool that you can only use for one specific purpose. There are better tools for turning the soil, ther are better tools for grading it out, but none that do it all quite like the box blade.

It's also something that you can find for sale used fairly often and if you find that you no longer need it, you can sell it for what you paid for it. Of course, this is true with most impliments that have been taken care of.

Rob (3RRL) had a thread on a food plot that he did with his box blade. Do a search on threads that he's started and look for the on on food plots. He posted allot of pics that show what he did, and that will show what you can do with one too.

Have fun,
Eddie

 

[Barneyhunts]

If there are a lot of rocks, tilling is tough. In my area the rental places don't rent 3 Pt. tillers because they get abused. I have a tiller on my 22Hp. Kubota which I use in my garden after I have picked the rocks ( and every year I have rocks to pick)

 

[CDsdad]

You could disc it up and then hit it with the tiller to bust it up finer and help smooth it out. It'd probably till easier if it were disced first. Or disc it up good and level it with a drag or section harrow or a box blade.

 

[Egon]

Stats. for the tractor:

TractorData.com - Satoh Beaver III S373 tractor data

Those stats match my Little Kubota B7100. Go for the rotatiller. Overlap the rows by as much as Half and spend time picking rocks. It will take more than one pass. After tilling use a drag for levelling and then till again.

 

[Soundguy]

If there are a lot of rocks, tilling is tough. In my area the rental places don't rent 3 Pt. tillers because they get abused. I have a tiller on my 22Hp. Kubota which I use in my garden after I have picked the rocks ( and every year I have rocks to pick)

I agree there... depending on rock size.. they can absolutely eat a tiller... especially if they can get caught between a paddle and the external metal shield.

soundguy

 

[Rich P]

See if you can rent a Harley rake.