Leveling no-till fields

[Northdowns Martin]

Some fields and parts of are becoming rather uneven. What's best machine/approach/time in rotation etc. to getting them back to a bearable condition?

 

[Simon C]

Use a tine drill rather than a disc drill. problem solved.

 

[Brisel]

Claydon, though it takes a few seasons to level the field up & you need to drill at different angles. The row of paddles on the back does the levelling.

How uneven are you talking about?

 

[Northdowns Martin]

Respect both your comments on use of tine drill however main drill is a 750 although there is a C04 fitted with dutch opener on the farm, which is where I suffer most due to its 'fixed' tine depth arrangement. Either skips over hollows or bury too deep in high spots. The worst fields are ex-orchards where the soil has settled since trees grubbed. not wanting to disturb too deep as very stoney in places. Passed OSR establishment method of subsoiled has left fields rougher than I would like.

 

[Brisel]

Sounds like you need to move some soil! Disc the top then run a power harrow at a shallow depth with the levelling bar down? Seems a shame to disturb what is probably a nice soil but the holes won't fill themselves in & the CO4 will certainly not forgive you. A Kuhn power harrow should have backward rake on the tines which will keep the worst of the stones underground. If you're prepared to play the long game then dragging a RSJ around will pull a bit of top off and drop it in the holes but this will need to be done with loose bare soil. I'd take the pain and hit it hard once.

Repent your sins with a deep layer of FYM afterwards as an apology to the Worm Gods

 

[mikep]

Cultivate with your chosen weapon and then dutch harrows as long as there is not too much trash they are the kiddies for the job and cheap as chips to buy and run.