Cultivating and Consolidating Variable Soil Types

[DrWazzock]

Lets assume I have ploughed my field which has areas of very light sand and areas of heavy clay. At the moment the sand is as soft and dry as an expensive mattress and the clay is damp and rubbery.

Usually we let it dry and weather then we power harrow the clay down as much as necessary and go round filling in any open furrows and gearings with the power Harrow. We use a tractor on terra tyres with 3m power Harrow. Tyres are a metre wide which leaves an unconsolidated but in the middle but not to worry at this stage. Sometimes we tow a small Cambridge roll behind the power Harrow to firm the bit between the tractor wheels.

Lastly, just before drilling we go over the whole lot towing a set of Parmiter zig zags with Cambridge rolls trailing behind. The parmiters take out the tractor wheelings and level things up a bit, only problem being that again the bit between the tractor wheels doesn't get fully consolidated so sometimes we split wheelings I.e go over it twice to make sure it is all wheeled on, otherwise the drill can sink in at one side.

All I'm asking is if there is a better one pass tool that will do the job. Probably not but I thought I'd ask anyway.

The system we have is OK for small farmers with limited horsepower and tackle but it is a bit slow and tends to make the sand over fine, particularly as my tractor hydrashift has stuck in bottom gear, but that's a separate problem.

 

[Shutesy]

Can you fit a front tyre press to consolidate the ground between the terra tyres? Seems the unconsolidated bit between your wheels is the recurring problem?

 

[Flat 10]

Can you fit a front tyre press to consolidate the ground between the terra tyres? Seems the unconsolidated bit between your wheels is the recurring problem?

Ritchie tyre press good idea and cheap. Otherwise how about an old Dutch harrow for the final levelling pass......

 

[wasted years]

Bit of a ball ache but could you just leave the sandy part of the field so as not to get worked too fine and concentrate on the stiff part?

 

[DrWazzock]

Bit of a ball ache but could you just leave the sandy part of the field so as not to get worked too fine and concentrate on the stiff part?

Yes, I think it boils down to concentrating on the hard areas with the power Harrow and then racing over the whole lot including the sand with the zig zag Harrow roller combination to lightly consolidate it without making it too fine. This is what we normally do and I can't really think of anything better.

I've looked at other implements including a Kongskilde germinator and trailer press but not sure they'd be any better. Anything trailed that's too heavy or has small rollers tends to bog down in the sand, while only the power Harrow can do enough at the clay clods to make it worthwhile going over it.

 

[wasted years]

Are heavy discs no good on the clay while it is damp, might be faster than p/h?

 

[Flat 10]

Yes, I think it boils down to concentrating on the hard areas with the power Harrow and then racing over the whole lot including the sand with the zig zag Harrow roller combination to lightly consolidate it without making it too fine. This is what we normally do and I can't really think of anything better.

I've looked at other implements including a Kongskilde germinator and trailer press but not sure they'd be any better. Anything trailed that's too heavy or has small rollers tends to bog down in the sand, while only the power Harrow can do enough at the clay clods to make it worthwhile going over it.

I pretty much agree, germinator only good on light (but perhaps not your sand) and trailed press for heavy. PH can do heavy. Seriously consider the Ritchie press and Dutch harrow. Dutch harrow will level better than a parminter and can still tow rolls behind, very cheap to buy and run too.

 

[Andrew K]

Simba top tilth would do the job.

 

[DrWazzock]

I pretty much agree, germinator only good on light (but perhaps not your sand) and trailed press for heavy. PH can do heavy. Seriously consider the Ritchie press and Dutch harrow. Dutch harrow will level better than a parminter and can still tow rolls behind, very cheap to buy and run too.

I like the idea of a Dutch harrow. Much higher work rate than power Harrow and might just be enough to get it fine enough and will certainly level it better than parmiters.

Maybe a 3 stage process for us.

Power Harrow the very worst stuff, open plough furrows and round the edges. Nothing beats a power Harrow for my rough ins and outs, gearings etc.

Dutch Harrow the very worst stuff again and the medium stuff first time over.

Parmiter Harrow and roll everything in front of the drill.

Roll after drilling if, as and where necessary.

I could see a Dutch Harrow achieving as good a result as the power Harrow but with much higher work rate. Good idea.

I shy away from discs, heavy presses and Spring tines as seem to bring up more clods here and create a "road". All I want is a thin layer of tilth on the surface and the underneath left as open and free draining as possible.