Mole draining speeds?

[Against_the_grain]

What speeds do members mole at? I suppose it does depend on soil conditions to some extent but what would the max speed be? We have been around 5-6kph usually but reading that some people wont go above 4kph. I understand that the slower the better generally but its a trade of with productivity...

 

[azimuth]

would be interested to know also,as im using a Browns single leg mole later when(if)conditions allow.heavy clay ,,,should make a good drain.

 

[franklin]

Looking back at records, I usually get about 3 acres done an hour, although this often includes headland and is usually fields averaging 10ac. Single leg, trailed sledge-type mole at 10ft spacings. A lot depends on things like 1) have you got a drainage plan? 2) do you have to keep getting out to move water pipes etc (grrr)? 3) are you on autosteer? 4) do you keep getting asked to "drop a few into the dyke" (also grrr)? I reckon thats about 6km/hr.

At 3m widths there is a lot of time wasted turning. With the cost of fuel, tractor, parts and the numpty on the seat you want to be getting 3ac an hour done really. I dont find it difficult work for a tractor unless it is old grassland that is hard as iron.

 

[Against_the_grain]

Yes we have all our drainage plans, and the fields are all big arable fields. We are on autosteer so can utilise turning on the headlands better and do the work in bouts, but im just really looking for the speed which would give the best drainage performance (longevity) balanced with produtivity... i guess 6kph is about right

 

[yellow belly]

It depends on soil conditions in dry conditions slower as heat can be generated

I am looking into doing it at wider spacing every other year with rtk GPS so that there are alway some recent moles in every field
Mole every 6 m by year 6 there will be moles every 2 m 1 2 years 1 4 years and one 6 years then remole between the 2 m space so after 10 years one new and a mole every 1 m put in at 2 year intervals
IMHO this would lead to better drainage and higher yealds than mole the whole field every 6 years

 

[franklin]

i guess 6kph is about right

Doing hundreds of acres at 4km/hr with autosteer in long fields would seriously sap my enthusiasm! That's a job for the dedicated.

I also like the idea of wider spacings more frequently. This will fit well if I put fallow in the rotation again.

 

[z.man]

how long do you reckon a mole will last for just a rough estimate we're on heavy clay but not convinced a mole is much better than a subsoiler any thoughts welcome

 

[Andrew K]

We tend to find that speeds over 5k result in a more crumbly channel in drier years, i tend to go closer on wetter fields at say 2.75m rather than 3m. Its an important job to get right IMO.

 

[Brisel]

How long the mole lasts depends on the size, soil type & soil conditions at the time of forming.

A high speed job in bone dry conditions with a small expander will last 3+ years. A decent job done in clay when the soil is moist but drying then left undisturbed for a couple of weeks so the wall hardens off nicely should last 5 - 10+ years.

 

[uztrac]

9lft spacings,only draw on way - uphill,this is a it was in the 60's with a Fowler Challenger 3 and a trailed mole plough on Essex clay.

 

[franklin]

how long do you reckon a mole will last for just a rough estimate we're on heavy clay but not convinced a mole is much better than a subsoiler any thoughts welcome

Ages if right condition.

A mole will "go" in a range of conditions, when in my view a subsoiler is often used when the ground conditions are not right.