how big of a chisel plow for 72 hp

[philcase]

I'm thinking of getting a chisel plow for my CIH 885 (72 pto hp). I've asked several farmers, dealers, ect. just how many shanks could I pull. Every thing from 12 to 20 hp per shank. I know there are a lot of variables (soil type, depth, etc.) but is there a general rule or if you use this tractor what do you use. I have clay soil and hills and probably want to go ~12" deep. Thanks.
Phil
 

[randallinMo]

I pull a 5 shank chisel with a 4020 John Deere....right at 100 hp. Clay and hills and 12" deep would stop it dead. Don't try to pull anything any wider than your tractor.....or you're going to be really disappointed. I"m thinking four shanks is going to be a LOAD for your tractor and what you're wanting to do.
 

[paul]

For that deep, clay soil, 3.

You could pull 5, but you won't be any deeper than a field cuiltivator, won't accomplish anything.

I was pulling a 10 shank, 2 inch chisel with 150hp, didn't always go deep enough.

Just got a 7 shank 4 inch twist chisel, and wow, that is cool, finally doing something in the dirt!

Bigger isn't always better. In good ground, I could have pulled a 12 of the old, or would be able to pull a 9 shank of the newer type.... But I don't chisel plow only to cover good ground, I do it to accomplish something, and that means more hp than needed some of the time, so it works in the tough ground.

--->Paul
 

[Leroy]

Depends on what type of chisel you are wanting to use. I had a 7 shank 3 point that was a load at about6" deep on my 5000 Ford, the 4000 only would handle 5 shanks and they were on 12" spacing. Now if you are talking about a disc chisel then they will be on a 15" spacing if like was made when I had mine or now possibly a wider spacing yet and the deeper you want to go the wider you need to be so for that depth I think you are looking at a disk chisel with the 15" spacing and it would take at least twice the horsepower per shank of the Ford unit that I had and at 6" and 8 hp per shank it was a load and only used it on higher rolling ground that was in bean stubble so sod would take a lot more. I am thinking that the depth you are wanting to go with other conditions figure at least 25 (not 20) horsepower per shank. so it would not be over a 4 shank disk chisel and have not heard of any of less than 5 shanks. Now if you want a plain 12" spacing unit and 6" deep then a 7 shank mounted would work. And they will not work in corn stalks.
 

[MFPoor]

Gonna depend somewhat on where you're at and what type of soil you have. Bottom line though, 72hp isn't a lot when you start talking about a chisel plow. Also, type of shovels on the plow make a difference. I had a 9 shank plow that I used behind a 150 hp 2wd tractor for a while. Pulled it like a toy @ 10" deep! I changed from straight shovels to twisted shovels and dang near couldn't pull it even at shallower depth. And worth considering is ballasted weight of tractor along with ground speed you desire.
 

[tomstractorsandtoys1]

We have a seven shank IH 55 that we have pulled with a Deere 3020(4020 works much better), we also have a 5 shank Landoll soil saver that we pull with a 4020 and we can stall it out if we go really deep.Both are tilling the same width but the five shank is going alot deeper.Soil type and chisel width makes a huge difference.Neighbor has a 7 shank soilsaver with wide shanks and he works a 190 hp(But his tractors are red)LOL.
 

[Larry NEIL]

I used to pull a 7 shank soil saver (glenco) with a Oliver 1950T (110 hp). Always pulled it fine even in the tougher clay hills. Then a friend asked me to chisel 40 acres that he worked too wet and ran a big crowfoot over it 2 times. I couldn"t pull it if and when it went in any deeper than about 6 inches.
You will be lucky to pull 5 straight shanks.
Larry NEIL
 

[mkirsch]

Also keep in mind you guys are talking about big heavy row crop tractors.

A CaseIH 885 is a light little utility.

I agree with 3 shanks, given that info.