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Pittsburgh, PA

If you could only pick one, which would you choose? I have about 3000 sqft of garden space. And a 21hp Kubota B7500 to pull a subsoiler. TIA

12/18/2017 6:36:15 PM

Grittyville, WA

I'll be happy if Santa brings me either of those.

12/18/2017 6:42:19 PM

South Hero, VT

For that large an area, go for the subsoiler. Check out Ron W.'s recent diary entries for subsoiling pics.

I have a 1000 square foot patch, and a broadfork takes several days to work the soil.

12/18/2017 6:49:26 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

I saw Ron’s post and that’s what got me thinking.

12/18/2017 10:39:31 PM

Rexburg, Idaho (brianchristensenmd@gmail.com )

haven't seen the pics but they say it takes 50 hp per bottom for subsoiler, not sure 21 hp will do it.

12/18/2017 11:17:52 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Jay, how deep is your subsoiler...sorta thinkin that 21hp, won't pull a deep subsoiler blade very far? Might be wrong? Peace, Wayne

12/19/2017 12:57:11 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

The Kubota B1750 that pap and Ron are using, unless it’s been modified, has 20 horsepower and obviously does the job pulling the subsoiler in the Wallace patch.

12/19/2017 1:23:29 AM

SW Ohio

That would depend on your soil. Sandy loam you might get away with a 20 hp tractor being able to pull a sub soil tool. In my clay soil, 20 hp would not be able to do the job.

12/19/2017 6:46:23 AM

huntsburg,ohio

I have a 65 horse Kubota around 6000 lb 4wd tractor and I can stop it sometimes with a single shank subsoiler but that is buried as deep as I can go.Load your tires or get wheel weights get one see what happens they're relatively cheap.Jerry

12/19/2017 7:05:13 AM

Western NY

Keep an eye on craigslist, I think I got my subsoiler for $75 used. My 38hp 4wd tractor pulls it fine, but I'm in sandy gravel soil.

12/19/2017 8:17:41 AM

Coventry RI USA

The Kubota we have can rip the soil in our garden down to the cross bar, I will find a photo from a few years ago to show. Has no problem pulling it, but we have a very sandy soil so I dont know if that will make a difference. I see them on Craigs list very cheap ($75-$100)

12/19/2017 8:29:14 AM

Wisconsin

I bought a sub soiler to rip out tree roots where my new patch will be. It worked pretty good for that. I have 42 horse 6000 lb tractor. I started doing the subsoiling but I was just going right over where I had subsoiled and it appeared i was just packing it more. If you can pull it with a lighter tractor I say go for it, but for me I didn't feel I was doing much good so I stopped. If you can rotate your patch, you can plant a tillage radish to break through the compaction and let it do the work for you, as well as scavenge nitrogen. But to answer your question I think a broadfork is going to be better, but its going to be more work. Maybe Pete C. will comment, He broadforks a big patch.

12/19/2017 9:36:01 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

My tires are filled and I have a FEL as well for weight. I have hard packed wet clay under most of my patch. I figured I don’t have to go in to deep with the shank at first. I could work my way deeper as I go. Subsoiler seems like a lot less work than a broadfork. Gonna keep my eyes out on CL to see if one turns up locally. Thanks everyone.

12/19/2017 9:36:26 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

If you can't pull the subsoiler as deep as you want, pull it as deep as you can. Them make another pass deeper until you get down deep enough. The next year it will get easier. Next year subsoil 90 degrees from the direction you first went.

When my father in law switched from moldboard plowing his farm to deep chisel plowing, it was nearly bouncing him off the tractor seat. The next year he chiseled at 90 degree angle and it went better. The third year it was like a hot knife through butter. And all the wet spots where he used to get stuck dried up. It helps a lot.

12/19/2017 9:47:04 AM

NE Arkansas

Great post as I have been contemplating the same thing...

12/19/2017 11:07:24 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

my back and shoulders vote for the tractor.

12/19/2017 2:34:03 PM

stoughton WI

John deer subsoiler, around $200 new, used a 46 hp kubota. Was able to pull out 3" tree roots with it. Went about 18" deep

12/19/2017 3:53:31 PM

Peosta, Iowa

I am ok with broad forking year 2 was a lot better than year 1, tells me it's working good. I even went as far to take top foot of soil off my planting sites, and broad forking deeper getting close to 30" loosened up for deeper rooting.

12/19/2017 9:49:46 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I have hand turned 12 inches down anywhere from 1100 to 2000 square feet depending on the year. First year I dug out 10-12 inches then broke up hard pan with axe and shovel and then mix in. Now I can easily dig down 12” and turn, but unless you really want a solid week of work each evening, I’d go the tractor route. If you want to burn some calories, go the broad fork and whatever other tools you need.

12/19/2017 10:08:19 PM

Deer Park WA

Love our little 1025r JD for tilling and thinking about getting a sub soiler for it but dont want to tear up our machine. Our neighbor has a 50 hp kubota and plows our 5000' patch ever couple years with a 2 bottom plow. He loves to make fun of our "toy" tractor so he does it for free beer!

12/19/2017 11:20:05 PM

Partlow,Va

Make sure you get a sub-soiler with a shear pin because the cheaper brands do not and you can damage your new tractor Jay.

12/20/2017 9:10:27 AM

Weatherman

What if you ran the tiller first then the subsolier?

12/20/2017 10:43:58 AM

Grittyville, WA

A reminder for you tractor lovers... Willemijns used a broadfork. His soil was nice loam though I think maybe even sandy loam. Not totally sure just going off what I could infer. I don't think it was clay or very hard to begin with & he was adamantly against the idea of driving a tractor on it, if I remember correctly...

12/20/2017 4:09:28 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Dr - I would think it makes more sense to run a subsoiler before the tiller.

Hank - searching online and looks like the only one I can afford is from tractor supply unless I can find a used one. I don’t think the one from tractor supply uses a shear bolt. I’d have to take it easy the first few times I use it.

12/20/2017 7:10:09 PM

Partlow,Va

My tractor is 53HP with loaded tires and weighs about 5700lbs. I have for years debated what you are doing right now. Compaction vs Airation. I have soft sandy loam soil and with the amount of passes it would take for a single shank I feel it would pack more than help. I looked into double shanks but they were pricey. If I owned a lighter tractor a single would be a plus for sure. But if you have harder soil it should help you but be harder on your tractor. Maybe you will find a used one for tractor protection. Use your slowest gear for sure.

12/20/2017 8:12:06 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

I have a older Kubota 25 Hp. It's about twice the size of The Wallace's tractor. Four wheel drive. I sub soil with it in four wheel drive in low, low. I can get down 16-18 inches. It pulls hard but does the trick. Sun soiling basically is used to break up the hard pan.I cover the whole patch going in one direction,North to South. Than I go the other direction, East to West. It makes a huge difference in draining the patch when we get heavy rains.

12/20/2017 10:12:20 PM

Rhode Island

yes i agree----north/south pass over the patch then east/ west pass. really does a great job.

finish with a deep till.

all the more reason to use walking boards during the season.

no need of doing all this work ,then compacting it with foot travel

pap

12/21/2017 8:17:58 AM

50 Acres

Reads like a D- 9 with a rock ripper is needed here. :>)

12/21/2017 9:33:23 AM

Lebanon, Oregon

I till my garden the old fashion way using my handy dandy Johnny's 727 hardpan broadfork in my 1,800 sq/ft garden. Yes, it is some work but my worms and plants don't complain.

12/21/2017 11:48:55 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Just deep forked new jareds patch with a bobcat with forks. Chunks of hard pan clay that will now need a freeze thaw to break up. pics in fb

12/21/2017 12:06:32 PM

Weatherman

When the glacier came a crossed North East Ohio it took all of the top soil, all we have is rocks and yellow clay which I can make pottery out of.

12/21/2017 1:27:23 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

yup i can drill holes in those chunks, imagine trying to drive over that now, much less walk it. will have to let mother nature break it up. Snow and below zero will do that tonight

12/21/2017 2:04:41 PM

Weatherman

Wizzy it takes years to make good top soil I know guys that scoop out their patch and haul in top soil.

12/21/2017 3:01:56 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Agree, thats why they are moving 24" of old patch to new patch...just not so sure mother nature is going to let them. Either way its going to cost us years and pounds. But its hope for someday

12/21/2017 3:37:19 PM

Hot West Tennessee

I have a broadfork like implement for my tractor. Keep in mind my patch has been 10 years in the making. https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660616_200660616

12/21/2017 8:37:01 PM