Knocking Down Ploughings Before Drilling

[Funny Farmer]

What's your procedure for going in after recent ploughings? I have a combi but don't feel it always gives a great result going straight in after the plough. Have tried putting Cambridge rolls over prior to the drill which helped but it left wheeling's that didn't drill well. Feel there must be some sort of cultivator out there that would be ideal for the job.

 

[bobk]

I generally give it a day or so , all depends on how well it's ploughed and what the weather is doing

 

[Old Tup]

Possible to plough it earlier?
Winter ploughed and some Frost etc?
Price of Diesel is going alter the approach…

 

[bobk]

Spring oats are a nightmare

 

[Nearly]

Front press on combi tractor.
Tines in front of press, hydraulic top link to wind the whole thing forwards in tougher going or wind tines out in good bits.

 

[mo!]

Press on the plough for starters, trailed press (Simba Cultipress, Rexius Twin, Type 28 etc) and then front press on the combi tractor.

 

[DRC]

Press on the front with paddle boards makes a good job of knocking the top off before the power Harrow.
And a disc drill helps.

 

[Agri Spec Solicitor]

We had same problem for our small arable acreage.
Bought an old power Harrow which is used before contractor comes with combi or we use our own air drill. It replaced a tined multi Harrow which just pulled up turf.

 

[Lofty1984]

Plough it better

 

[Funny Farmer]

The front press sounds like a good idea as it would take the place of the weight block. So if you get a press with leading tines or paddles would you take off the outer ones to stop any chance of catching the outer row of the last bout or would it be better to go for narrower press than the drill which is 3M so say a 2.5M press?

 

[Funny Farmer]

Possible to plough it earlier?
Winter ploughed and some Frost etc?
Price of Diesel is going alter the approach…

Yup the price of diesel is why I don't want to power harrow in front of the drill if I can help it.

 

[steveR]

What's your procedure for going in after recent ploughings? I have a combi but don't feel it always gives a great result going straight in after the plough. Have tried putting Cambridge rolls over prior to the drill which helped but it left wheeling's that didn't drill well. Feel there must be some sort of cultivator out there that would be ideal for the job.

I am prepping a stale seedbed for drilling in late April on ploughing carried out 4 weeks ago. Gone in this weekend, as the land will carry a tractor... just, but the clods are still moist enough to start to break down. Rolls were not touching it.. So Dutch harrow it is, then roll. Cannot risk a power harrow as it will turn to mush if it rains.

So wish the contractor had got a furrow press.... almost make me think of going out and getting another plough and press. I always reckoned they were worth a pass with a cultivator, maybe more.

 

[Nearly]

Full width press is an encouragement to drive accurately.

 

[teslacoils]

Yup the price of diesel is why I don't want to power harrow in front of the drill if I can help it.

Better seedbed doesn't cost. It pays.

 

[Funny Farmer]

Full width press is an encouragement to drive accurately.

Bet you have RTK!

 

[Nearly]

My neighbours will tell you not.

Full width gives full pressing and if there is a bit of overlap the drill seeds it again anyway.

Narrower press just shouts out when the soil is cultivated. If it doesn't then it didn't need pressing!

 

[sixrow]

One run with an Alex hay first on late ploughing jobs a good one

 

[DRC]

The front press sounds like a good idea as it would take the place of the weight block. So if you get a press with leading tines or paddles would you take off the outer ones to stop any chance of catching the outer row of the last bout or would it be better to go for narrower press than the drill which is 3M so say a 2.5M press?

No you want a 3m press for a 3m drill.
This is my outfit . Pic taken on some Sumo land after spuds, but I’ve just drilled spring barley in one pass on some stiffish ground and it’s made a nice enough job.
just rolling it now .

 

[The Agrarian]

No you want a 3m press for a 3m drill.
This is my outfit . Pic taken on some Sumo land after spuds, but I’ve just drilled spring barley in one pass on some stiffish ground and it’s made a nice enough job.
just rolling it now .View attachment 1023958View attachment 1023959View attachment 1023960View attachment 1023961

Stiffish

 

[Nearly]

Front press actually reduces the fuel requirement for combi drill.
The wheels make shallower tracks in the soil so power harrow can be lifted out a little.
No actual evidence other than tractor finds it easier.