Will this work for removing rocks from soil prior to tilling?

[tallguy104]

Hey all. I've been reading this thread from 2015 and I can see I need to get something to help pull out the rocks from my soil before I pass my new tiller over it.

Is this the right tool for the job?

FIVE TINE TRACTOR RIPPER - Hayes Products - Tractor Attachments and Implements

Working width of 1200mm 4 adjustable ripping depths (210mm to 350mm) Main frame is made from 105mm x 105mm RHS Comes with a stand for easy storage Specifications Horsepower 15-50hp Working Width 1200mm 4 x Digging Depth 210mm to 350mm Distance between tines 300mm Weight 105kg Item is...

hayesproducts.com.au

 

[oosik]

It should do the job. Problem still remains - how will you collect and remove the rock. This will bring the rock to the surface. Be sure to have the ripper set so it can "skip over" any really massive rocks. I would have the rippers set in a trailing configuration rather than a leading configuration.

 

[3Ts]

I do not have anything like that so I can't say for sure, but here are some observations from what I've done. First I have rocky soil and those tines are not going to remove them, they may raise some stones and push others to the side. 2nd there are actual rock pickers that will dig up and put the rock in a wagon with one pass. I've only seen pictures and videos of this. 3rd, I gave up trying to remove all the rocks before tilling and just make sure my slip clutch is adjusted properly. I've been expecting to damage the tines at least, but it hasn't happened yet.

 

[3Ts]

You should search youtube for "rock picker" or "rock rake".

Here's a video of a rock rake that will pull them up from a shallow depth and windrow them.
Rock Rake video

Here's a video of a rock picker for a small tractor or ATV. Depending on the size of your tractor there are bigger rock pickers that will do more than this one.
Rock Picker for small tractor

 

[i7win7]

Good start, rock bucket can pick up 3"+ rocks (optional tool)

Landscape rake will drag rocks into pile, use loader bucket to remove rock pile

Don't have one, maybe best tool for job

https://www.flipscreenglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/S10.pdf

 

[nybirdman]

That cultivator won't help picking rocks(I have one) the landscape rack will do a better job.
I have lots and lots of rocks;my tiller just bounce's over them.Leave the discharge flap wide open and make sure your slip clutch is working.

 

[JohnnyMX]

I have the same issue with tilling the unworked ground and rocks. My soil contains basketball-sized and smaller. I have tried something similar to the rippers you show by using box blade rippers. Pulling fixed rippers will pull some rocks to the surface but was slow and provided no safety. I ended up going with a 9-shank Fred Cain field cultivator. It allows me to travel faster and allows the shanks to trip back and automatically reset. The offset of the shanks also pulled up more rocks per pass since they are set closer together. My tiller is reverse rotation so it tries to ingest all of the rocks. It is fine unless they are the exact right size to instantly stop the tiller in its tracks.

Getting them to the top is then easy, but you still have to rid of them. A rock picker would be amazing, but I don't have one. I use the landscape rake to make piles/windrows and the W.R. Long grapple to pick them up and screen the material to try and separate the rock and dirt. After 2-3 seasons, I can now do all my plowing with just the field cultivator and only use the tiller to smooth things out if time permits. It would be amazing to live somewhere with no rocks.

 

[JohnnyMX]

This year I plan to work another few acres and look forward to testing out the landscape rake with every other tine removed for rough clearing to allow more dirt to pass through. I might go back over it to get some of the smaller stuff and put the tines back in. Still experimenting.

 

[arrow]

Rocks are tough. I think I'd go with a middle buster to dislodge them first. Yes it'll take a lot of passes but you won't bust up equipment as pictured nearly as bad.

 

[Industrial Toys]

A stone picker is the ONLY option. Nothing else will sort out the stones. If you had absolutely powder dry dirt and no clods, grass or roots, a rake or fork of various kinds could work. I have never had them work for me. I am in the same boat. Want to make a new garden in rocky soil. I have some large piles of stoney top soil so would I like to get a hold of a small screening plant. While at it, dig out the new garden, put the soil through the screening plant and replace the soil in the garden.