subsoiler

[t-mark]

I"m thinking of getting a subsoiler to cut roots at foodplot edges and to break up hardpan(if it exists). I have no experience with one and was just wondering if they really make a big difference in productiveness of a field. Thanks for any advice. I won"t be back until Monday(11/19) so if I don"t respond in a timely fashion that is the reason. Gone deer hunting.

Thanks,
mark

 

[johns48jdb]

they do make a difference in hard packed ground. never thought about using them around the edge of a field to cut roots. it takes a pretty good tractor to pull a sub moisture plow. best done in the fall of the year and left alone until spring. the thought is that water will run down the cracks and collect and freeze down in the hole thus expanding and busting the trench out bigger.

 

[marty g]

Hardpan is created from intensively ploughing fields and heavy traffic on your field. Cutting roots up with a subsoiler is usually not a good idea. Most subsoilers dont have a sharp edge. They only dig down and disturb soil.

 

[Mark]

Cutting roots with a subsoiler? I think you best be prepared to flung out of the seat! If you hit a big root with a SS shank...it'll be like dropping anchor. They have shear bolts..sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. I hit a huge rock with mine and folded the draft linkages into a U on my subsoiler..the shear pin didn't shear and the JD didn't quit pulling..something had to give. I don't know what your goal is on a food plot anyway. Deer and turkey will eat about anything, break up the ground and sow something and let it go.

 

[Wilsonfire]

Mark, the Small "Hair" feeder roots are the ones stealing nutrients from your food plot. The big thick roots are for tree support. You'll break something if you try to cut the thick roots. If you regularly drive around the edge of the field it will slow the root growth enough (So say the experts). Most guys just use a good heavy disk on food plots. I use a tiller just 'cause thats what I have. I drag a Piece of chain link with pipes in it for smoothing and burying seed. If you dig up some of of your plot You'll see there's not a whole lot of roots any way.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I do the "subsoil" thing around the edge of the field, 10-12 ft from the tree trunks. Go anywhere from two to 3 ft deep. Don't believe that I've ever seen any difference. In a dry year the trees seem to suck the moisture away from the crop regardless of the subsoiling.