Difference between springtooth or rigid shank cultivators

[Mark Henderson]

Does anyone know the different uses between springtooth (Dearborn or Ferguson) and the rigid shank cultivators?

 

[DeltaRed]

I have both both types.Both do an equally good job.The springshank is a LOT more tolerant of rocks and other obstructions

 

[maxwell99]

i have used both and both do a good job.

the spring shank may vibrate a bit more in hard dirt.

but from my experience neither of them really like to hit a big rock or root.

guess the spring shank would do less damage to the frame of the tool, but still something is going to move or get bent/broken.

my old AC cultivator on a D-14 had the straight shank shovels with springs and kickbacks, if they hit something, they moved back and tried to allow the shovel to slide over the obstruction.

 

[Dick2]

I remember when I was a kid, Dad had a horse drawn single row cultivator with rigid shanks.

The safety mechanism when they hit a rock was to shear a hardwood plug driven into the safety hinge. Dad gave me the job of cutting a bunch of those hardwood plugs. They didn't have to be cut round, that happened when he drove the plugs in with a hammer. Couldn't use a bolt, as they wouldn't shear when they were supposed to.